BY: J.Martin
Page 3
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“Okay, I know I shouldn’t do this. But.” She lifted the computer top. “Angel left the laptop on last night and there is a message here for him. I am not sure if I should tell him because I don’t want him to think I was prying or anything, but it may be important seeing that he was on here until almost 5AM.” She looked up at her green friend.
“I don’t see any need for urgency. I am sure whatever it is can wait until he can’t sleep again tonight. Why the concern?”
She turned the screen around to face him and he now looked down at her with the same concern. “I thought they weren’t communicating anymore, not since..”
“I thought the same thing, but it’s pretty obvious.”
“He may have just wanted to tell her about Connor. Does she even know about Connor? We better leave it alone babe, don’t want to get the big guy any more upset by thinking we are tracking his business.” He put his hand over the lid and closed it. He looked sternly down at her his hand still resting atop the computer. “Get it cutie, would be best for all of us not to mention it?”
She nodded yes while stuttering a little on her next words. “But, what if.”
“No what if. Leave it alone and don’t mention it to anyone, O.K.?” She nodded less hesitant than before finally understanding his gaze. She promised herself she wouldn’t even mention it to Charles.
The rest of the day and early night seemed to drag on and on. Angel had been busy trying to locate anything that would take him to Connor’s whereabouts. Just before sunset he realized it was fruitless and decided to go underground for a while to check the local grapevine for anything newsworthy. Fred had been using the computer most of the day so there was no way he could check it without raising suspicion. He knew there was an answer from her and he wanted to respond tonight. Then he would have to figure out what to tell the group on his whereabouts for the next day or so. Months ago they made the decision not to meet unless there was an emergency. The logistics were tough enough, but they both had explanations to give and were not willing to tell the truth--not yet.
Since he couldn’t get to the computer, he headed out. After hitting a few of the regular nightspots, he realized there was nothing new that would help in his search for Connor. He thought about tormenting the principals at Wolfram & Hart again, but decided that would bring him little satisfaction at this point. After wandering around a bit longer he realized the best place for him was home. As he headed in that direction his thoughts again turned from Conner to Buffy.
He wrestled with mixed emotions almost as furiously as he had wrestled his dreams. It is so hard to see her. Damn, I need to see her; I need to talk to her. He couldn’t be there to help with Dawn right now and he thought she might actually graduate before he saw her again. He regretted so many things and he had missed so much. “What am I doing here? I have to get there no matter what.” But could they handle it now? As he walked he thought more and more about seeing her. He then realized there was nothing to stop him from going. Maybe, just maybe, this would be the best time. “I should be there for her and Dawn.”
Then more decidedly he said to himself, “I will.”
*****
“Okay, okay Will, I’m coming.” She sat on the bench in front of Dawn’s dressing mirror and smiled. She actually had a good day and hopefully tonight would be the same. After their morning coffee, Willow left to teach her class at the university. Buffy then spent much of the day at the Mall trying to buy something new to wear tonight. She also stopped at the jewelers to pick up the present that she had fixed and cleaned for Dawn. She knew that Dawn would like it as much as she had. She opened the lid, for about the 50th time since the morning and sat remembering the first time she had opened that box. She was finishing the final wrappings when Will yelled up to her with her latest notice of how much time they had left. Dawn had already gone ahead with some of her friends. Buffy and Willow had orders to follow and since Anya wasn't able to come, Xander better not make them late.
She tucked the wrapped gift in her purse and headed downstairs. As she reached the last step the door opened and there was Xander all decked out in a suit and tie. She walked straight to him, hugged his neck and began to straighten the tie while kissing his cheek.
“You women. Never satisfied with the old knot in the end of the tie. You know it has taken me years to perfect that and you always undo it.” He was fidgeting.
“Xander, how can you perfect something you never do? You know you hate to dress up.” She grabbed his arm so he would stop moving around. "This final touch will only add to your extreme good looks, DAD.” He smiled at the thought of that.
“Thanks Buff, just keep reminding me. By the way, Anya sent this for Dawn.“ He handed her a small package. “And I made sure she didn’t pack it with any surprises. You know like from the nether world of vengeance?”
“I really appreciate that thought. Just hold onto it so you can give it to her yourself.”
“I really appreciate you asking me to drive you guys tonight. I think that if I stayed home any longer her old demon self was actually going to curse me or my private parts into some unknown hell for putting her in this condition. She really is in a temper these last few days and I can only hope things calm down soon.”
Willow entered the foyer about the time Buffy was finishing his tie. “Xander, I think that will happen once the baby gets here. How long did the doctor tell her she has to be off her feet?”
“Just another week and then we can have that baby with no problem. I might actually live to see that happen if you promise to stay with us and protect me.” He knelt on his knees kissing her hand.
"Oh no, not getting in the middle of that. I promised one night a week and this is it, buddy. I love you two, but not gonna fall into that again." She kissed him on the way up as he was pulling himself to his feet.
Buffy walked away to check the lock on the kitchen door.
“She’s really happy you are staying with us tonight, Will. Says you help calm her nerves, something I am not good at these days.”
Willow fluttered her eyelashes as she looked up at him. “I think you just keep them rattled. Your usual cutsie witticisms just don’t really amuse her, at least not now.”
“Who, me, Mr. witty..naw, she loves that about me."
"I'm not so sure. By the way, can you bring me back here in the morning."
"Sure, I can drop you off at school or back here, whatever you need.” He looked from her to Buffy who was returning from the other room. He also noticed she seemed to be deep in thought.
“Here would be best. I didn't pack a whole lot of clothes for tomorrow. Buffy, you going to be okay tonight?”
"Of course, I'll be fine. It'll be nice to have some good quality alone time with Buffy. Ok guys, I have a purse, Willow's overnight bag and camera in my hand. We better get going because we can't be late.”
Xander opened the door for the girls as they headed onto the front porch. He reached to turn off the inside light closing the door as he followed behind them.
*****
They were headed to the High School Auditorium for tonight’s Parent/Teacher festivities. This is when they met the teachers for the first time. The Senior Class would also install the new class President for their final year. Dawn had been elected to this high honor and nothing could have made Buffy more proud. She looked at her two best friend in the front seat of Xander’s SUV. She and Dawn would not have come this far without Willow and Xander. Willow was the brain that kept Dawn interested in her studies. This made her schoolwork excel over the past year and that undoubtedly helped her get where she is tonight. When their father passed away a year and a half ago, Xander had become the father figure who listened to Dawn with his heart. Her constant questions about life, her new friends and of course boys always went to him. He and Anya finally married at the end of last summer. They were expecting their first child shortly. Life was good and it appeared at least one of the Scooby gang was really happy with his normal life. Well, 'pretty' normal for the three of them anyway.
Her dad had left them quite a large sum of life insurance, which enabled Buffy to quit the fast food service and concentrate more on Dawn as well as her slayer duties. This helped Dawn become more focused and made for a much happier family atmosphere in the Summers' home.
Buffy had never been good with money, but had managed to tuck away enough in a secret account for Dawn’s college fund. She planned to tell her about it sometime before the end of this school year. Angel had been sending her money whenever he could. He would mail her money orders, which he thought would be less traceable and no one would question. She smiled at that and let her thoughts drift to Angel as they had for so many years now. She waited patiently all day while checking the computer numerous times to see if there was a reply, but so far nothing. She assumed there would be an answer when she returned home and if so, then she would have to devise some excuse for being away for a night or two. It never crossed her mind that they should not meet, as this constituted an emergency in her book. She had to know what was happening with Connor and she wanted to tell him all about Dawn and tonight. Then her mind strayed again; “I wonder what he's doing right now? “
“Did you say something Buff?” Xander turned side wards in his seat while driving.
“No, I was just thinking out loud. Did you guys ever think we would be doing this tonight? I mean, did you ever think we would still all be together, much less coming to see Dawn start her senior year?”
“I never thought we would make it through our senior year. So no, I don’t think I would have put this in the career plan. But I can say that I am glad we are cause I am still proud to be necessary component of the ole gang.”
She rested her hand on the back of his shoulder. “Well, I thank you for everything, from our senior year to Dawn’s senior year. And I am glad you’re still a ‘necessary component’ too.”
Willow turned to face Buffy while glancing at Xander. “Me too, glad you are and I am too, I think. I drifted off, so what am I happy to be part of?”
“The gang!” They echoed. The SUV was no sooner parked than they raced inside to their assigned seats making sure Dawn saw them first.
The program seemed to drag on until Dawn stood up to give her acceptance speech that mesmerized her older sister and her extended family. Buffy was beaming, as it became increasingly harder to hold back the tears. A sudden flash of blinding light startled her that quickly dried her watery eyes. Willow was snapping pictures of Dawn. She wondered if they would be ready in time so she could remember to bring them with her.
It finally ended just before eight. Dawn asked to spend the night with Janice and if she could go to the Bronze to celebrate. Buffy agreed as long as they were in by 10 PM. Willow was going to stay at Xander and Anya’s overnight and the thought of being alone was like music to her ears. It felt like years since she was able to have a few hours home alone and all she wanted now was get there and crawl into bed.
Xander handed Dawn the gift from he and Anya. Her blue eyes were beaming against the shine of the earrings that Anya had made from some crystals she found in the remnants of the Magic Box before it was demolished. Dawn hugged him and gave him two kisses, one for him and one for Anya and then a third for new baby Harris.
“I have a little something for you too.” Buffy handed Dawn the wrapped velvet box that she held so dear. Dawn hurriedly tore the paper and snapped open the lid. Inside was a silver cross and chain.
“Oh, Buffy, it’s it’s beautiful. But, isn’t this the one…”
“Yes, it’s the first thing Angel gave me. It protected me for a lot of years and now I want you to have it.”
“I can’t! You love this.”
“And I love you and I want you to have it. You deserve it so no debate, OK?”
“Buffy, I love it. I know what this meant, means to you. Thank you! So help me put it on.” She put the chain around her neck and pulled her hair on top her head so Buffy could secure the latch.
“There you go, all protected now even when we can't be with you.” They hugged and then Dawn scurried off with her friends.
Buffy caught her glance and mouthed-BE CAREFUL! Dawn smiled back and shook her head as she was whisked away through the double doors.
Xander stood there staring at her. “So Buff, that was nice, real nice. We all know what that cross means to you.”
“Yeah, but she means more.” They had no idea what the gift really meant.
The trio hugged goodnight after which Buffy left them. She thought she felt a strange presence all night but figured it was just in her imagination. She decided to take the long walk home to clear her head and allow the happy tone of the night to linger. She had walked this path so many times but this was the first time she looked at the houses and the street and she even saw the trees along the way. She never noticed these things before because there was always trouble ahead. But not tonight, nothing was going to spoil this moment. She was just about to make the turn onto her street when she felt him, so she walked a little slower now. She stopped.
“I know you’re there.” She turned slowly as a large dark figure emerged from the blackness.
He was coming closer now, moving toward her so fast that she didn’t have time to reach for a weapon. But they both knew there was no weapon she possessed that could stop him. She froze suddenly as she was within his grasp now. He was in front of her and without hesitation he grabbed her pulling her into the shadows with him. She was motionless as she felt his arms trap her, his body engulf her, and then his lips met hers. Her mouth was wide as she was remembering too well the feelings he brought out in her. They kissed so passionately that her whole body seemed to melt into his and they became one.
She wanted to pull away now as much as she wanted to stay surrounded by him. He sensed this and pulled back slightly still keeping his head down so that they were nose to nose. She finally opened her eyes and managed to say, “I thought we were meeting tomorrow.”
“That was the plan.” He made the decision to come to Sunnydale so quickly that he surprised himself. Once on his way he realized there was no way to get word to her. “ It was a quick decision.”
She was on her toes holding onto him so tight that she was tearing into his shoulder with her nails. She saw the tinge of pain in those dark eyes as the moonlight shown through the treetops. “Oh, sorry,” she said blushingly.
Then she couldn't hold her excitement about tonight any longer, “Angel you should have seen her. She is so beautiful, so smart and talented and she had this speech and everything and…”
“I know, I was watching.”
“You were?“ She smiled up at him as the tears started streaming down her cheek almost choking her. She reached up and grabbed his neck with both hands and pulled him closer, “I am so happy you’re here.”
She tilted her head upward to meet his lips and without hesitation he kissed her again. This time more gently but it still made the entire world disappear. Neither had any idea how long they had been holding each other but they were still kissing when they heard someone else pass them by. They moved closer into the darkness and began to head toward her house.
“What possessed you to come tonight? I know you have your hands full in LA. I even finally figured out that there is something going on with Connor. Shouldn’t you be there? What were you thinking?”
“My only thought at this moment is about you and Dawn. I’ll fill in the details later. Now all I want to do is walk with you.” He reached down and touched her shoulder wrapping his arm around her and pulling her closer to him as he walked her home. She had her arm around his waist and her head resting against him. She no longer felt tired; maybe it was just the contentment of being with him. All she really wanted now was to have a normal life before it was too late. Some strange sort of normal life with him at her side just as they were at this moment because right now she was, they were - happy.
“How much time do we have? When will Dawn and Willow be home? ”
“Well this is our lucky night. Willow is staying with Xander and Anya and Dawn is spending the night out too.”
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