| Title: Perfect High School Moment Author: Celtic Child Disclaimer: Let's see... are they together as of now? Gee uh, nope! Guess they aren't mine then. Feedback: Yes, please! celtic_child13@earthlink.net Rating: PG-13 Summary: Buffy gets her Prom moment(s) with Angel and then some...*g* Dedication: *For Chloe/Ethel: hehe as always... Here's your smut and fluff at last!! You know I 'lurve' ya, sweetie. Our midnight chats are always the best! *For VanessaSky: You helped get me through the finales. Where would I be without your constant support and comfort?!Probably hiding in a corner crying replaying the episodes just one last time... haha Thanks, sweetie - for everything! * For Sean: Always there, always funny, always so cute... always. Notes: Ok, so it's 3 in the morning and I'm watching The Prom episode from my dvds... couldn't resist. So once again I am forced to fix Joss's attempt at this epi. the man is just... "Evil..." =,0( Aaaw it's the part where they're dancing! Oh God, I'm gonna cry! Quick! Roll the fic... ROLL IT! Story's in Buffy's POV ... // Song is Wild Horses by the Rolling Stones ............................................................................................................................................................................ "It must be horrible," Willow sighs. "No, I think horrible is still coming. Right now it's worse. Right now I'm just trying to keep from dying," I sob. "Oh, Buffy..." Willow whispers. "I can't breathe, Will. I feel like I can't breathe..." I continue sobbing as she cradles me in her lap. I feel so small without him. I don't know what I'm going to do, but for now Willow comforts me. Things will get better. She promises. * * * * * I get the address from the guy at the meat shop. Strange how all the hanging meat never really affects me. Must be from all the worse things I've seen in my life. But I know he's here, I can feel his presence like I always do. I look up and there he is. Handing the man a small amount of cash and then checking his purchase. It's only been a few days since I've seen him last, but I swear he looks even better than I remember. Is that even possible? He has his loose fitting black slacks on, white muscle tank covering his broad, sculpted chest, and his tailored black leather coat. He always as to wear something that flaps in the wind when he leaves doesn't he? Typical. He looks up and sees me. Did he sense me as I did him? "What are you doing ...here?" he asked skeptically. "Hello to you too," I reply back. "Sorry, I -- I'm just surprised." He says as he fidgets with his fingers. "Me, too. Don't know why though. I mean where did I think you get your blood, McPlasma's?" I attempt at humor... failing miserably. There's a pause and I wait for him to speak. He started his conversation after all. And then he speaks. "How are you?" Like you care... but I'll give you the benefit of he doubt and answer. "Right as rain. Whatever that means," I state. He looks at me with those chocolate brown eyes of his. Damn him. One of my only weaknesses - his eyes. He knows I'm lying. This is turning out to be the hardest conversation of my life. "Don't look at me like that. I can lie to you if I want to now. We're ex, remember?" Gee, why don't I just stake him? I'm a real bitch lately. I see the look of hurt cross his face, but he recovers quickly. "If it means anything, I miss you," he says, trying to smooth things over. Please! Don't even try my Angel. My hearts already shattered and no amount of duct tape in the world can fix it. So I hold up my hand to stop him, "Can we not, please?" I ask. I look down avoiding his eyes. Always his eyes... "When I think about us, I have this tendency to sort of go catatonic, and I really can't afford to do that right now." He looks up wondering what's up. Always the concerned one, aren't you, my Angel? Filling in the blanks for him I reply, "Gotta stop a crazy from pulling a Carrie at the prom." He looks up hopefully. "You still planning to go?" And why should I tell you? But I decide to drive that stake a wee bit further. "Strictly in a chaperone capacity, but it's fine. I mean, I'm cool with going stag. I'm over the whole 'Buffy gets one perfect high school moment' thing. But I'm certainly not going to let some subhuman ruin it for the rest of the senior class." Take that! Stings doesn't it? Feel it in your gut? I do ... "Let me help you," he tries again. Give it up, sweetie. You can't fix this ... ever. "I'm OK," I tell him as I brush by him to leave. "If you ever need my help --," Ugh! Stop trying Angel! You're making this too hard for me. I'm attempting a quick exit here, but you're not helping. "Look, I got it!" I snap at him. He looks away, hurt again. I close my eyes and mumble a "Thanks," then walk away with just my pride. My honor was gone a while ago... back there with the pieces of my heart lying at his feet. * * * * * As Willow, Oz, and Xander run out the library doors, thanks to my threatening, I retreat to the weapons cabinet. Ah, my sanctuary. Giles comes up behind me as I grab my favorite weapons from the shelf. Ooh, crossbow! Yum.... just don't think about Ang -- him and you'll be fine, I hear myself saying. "I don't have to tell you that you're being rather rash. Finding an address hardly adds up to case closed," he states. He knows something's up. Damn his watcher skills! "Look, it's done. You wanna go after them and tell them that they can't go? That all their planning and dreaming was for nothing? That they can't spend tonight with their honeys of all nights?" I can feel my emotions breaking as I say that. I put down th crossbow and turn my back to him. Oh look there's weapons! Quick, look busy... just don't think. Giles comes around to the door of the weapons cabinet. "Angel's not taking you, is he?" he asks. Wow, all that schooling in England finally paid off, Giles. You catch on quick! I sigh and try to look busy again, but the stake I'm holding in my hand almost clatters to the floor. I look up at Giles, my watcher... my father almost. "Angel's leaving me. He's leaving town," I say simply. No need for details. Giles sighs and tries to sound comforting. "Buffy, I'm sorry," he sighs. I appreciate that more than he'll ever know, but I go back to looking busy, putting crossbow bolts in my bag and adding a few stakes for good measure. "I don't really know what to say," he continues. "I understand that this sort of thing requires ice cream of some kind," he tries at humor. Well, done Giles. You always know what I need. I give him a small smile. "Ice cream will come," I assure him with a nod. "First, I wanna take out psycho boy." "You sure?" he asks concerned, touching my shoulder. I throw the bag over my shoulder. "Great thing about being a slayer -- kicking ass is comfort food." And with that I walk out of the library. Time to save the senior class, yet again. * * * * * So I kicked all three hellhounds asses plus took out looney boy. I head to the bathroom to change into my dress. I look in the mirror, checking my apprearance once more. As I exit, I'm grabbed by the arm. I turn quickly, expecting an attack, but surprisingly it's not who I thought it would ever be. It's Angel... my Angel. In a tux no less. I stare up at him and my mouth moves to tell him something, anything, but I can't talk. He places a finger to my lips to stop my soon to be babble. "Don't worry about anything, ok? Let's just be happy... for tonight." I smile and he pulls my hand up to his mouth and kisses it. He then slides a corsage of pink roses and babies breath onto my wrist. Always the sly one aren't you, honey? But I don't ask questions, I just take his offered arm and let him walk me through the doors of gym. Heads turn as everyone sees me enter. The girls eye Angel in awe, the boys in jealousy. Hey, this prom stuff is fun! Willow and Oz spot me first and come running up. Willow hugs me, bouncing with excitement. "Buffy, you look awesome," she exclaims. Then whispers, "I can't believe he came. I know I talked to him, but I never thought..." she stops, catching her slip. I pull away and look at her. "You did this for me, Will?" I ask, almost in tears. "I wanted you to be happy," she whispers and I hug her again. Oz shakes Angel's hand and pats him on the back. "She's all smiles, man. Good work," and he leaves it at that. "Everything cool?" Oz asks me. "Coolest. Devil dogs are history. How's the prom?" I ask with excitement. "Strangely affecting. I got all teared up when they played 'We Are Family'," he states. "Everything's perfect." Willow chimes in. I glance over at Angel and catch his eye, "Yeah, it is," I whisper, but I know both Willow and he heard me. * * * * * We watch as they give out the Senior Class Clown Award to Jack Mayhew and listen to Xander complain that he didn't get it. "Please! Anybody can be a prop class clown! You know none of the people who vote for these things are even funny!" Anya just rolls her eyes at him. I chuckle from my place in Angel's arms. I lean against his chest and sigh at the contentment I feel. I'll never feel this again and that pulls at my heart. But I push it away. This is our night, and I want to make the best of it. Angel leans down and kisses my bare collar bone, sending shivers through my body. I knew he'd love this dress. I look up at him and smile and he kisses me sweetly on the lips. Jonathan takes the stage and lowers the microphone to his level. It's stil hard to believe that he wanted to kill himself... but then again sometimes I know exactly how he feels. I pull Angel's arms closer for comfort and he kisses the top of my ZZZhead. "We have one more award to give out. Is uh, Buffy Summers here tonight? Did she, um -- is she..." I hear my name and look up to the stage. I feel everyone's eyes on me and I straighten in Angel's arms. He loosens his hold and places his hands on my waist. A spotlight comes from somewhere and shines on us. Great! Now what humiliation do I have to suffer through. Can't just leave us alone can you? But as I start to listen to Jonathan speak, my heart lightens and I almost cry: "This is actually a new category. First time ever. I guess there were a lot of write in ballots. Um, well, the prom committee asked me to-to read this," he pulls a letter out of his jacket pocket and continues. " 'We're not good friends. Most of us never found the time to get to know you. But that doesn't mean we haven't noticed you. We don't talk about it much, but it's no secret that Sunnydale High isn't really like other high schools. A lot of weird stuff happens here.' " "Zombies!" a person shouts. "Hyena people!!" someone else exclaims. "Snyder!!!" a students shouts out and everyone laughs. Even Angel and Giles. " 'But whenever there was a problem,' " Jonathan continues, " 'or something creepy happened, you seemed to show up and stop it. Most of the people here have been saved by you or helped by you at one time or another. We're proud to say that the class of '99 has the lowest mortality rate of any graduating class in Sunnydale history.' " The gym bursts into applause and I find myself blushing. " 'And we know at least part of that is because of you. So the senior class offers it's thanks... and gives you, uh, uh, this.' " He turns around and grabs a sparkly pink and gold unmbrella. "It's from all of us. And it has written here," he looks and reads from the small plaque on the handle, "Buffy Summers. Class Protector." More applause for me as I walk up to the stage, smiling again. I smile a knowing smile up at Jonathan and mouth a thank you. This night just gets better and better. I catch Angel's eye again and he smiles as he applauds for me. * * * * * A slow song that I know by heart comes over the speakers. We all couple up: Willow with Oz, Xander with Anya, Cordelia with Wesley. Yeah no one saw those two getting together... riiight. But I squeeze Angel's hand and he whispers in my ear, "Will you dance with me?" As if he even has to ask. So we walk out to the dance floor, and he takes me in his arms. I'm ready to cry already, because this night is ending too soon. We move to the song, letting the words play through both our minds. Finally, I have to talk to him. We need to have a serious talk. It's been with me all night. "I never thought you'd come," I tell him truthfully. // Wild, wild horses Couldn't drag me away Wild, wild horses // "It's a big night. I didn't want to miss it," he states. "It's just tonight. It doesn't mean that --" "I know," I say. Had to remind me didn't you. " I mean, I understand," I whisper. He pulls me closer to him. This is hurting him, too. // Fate has been broken And tears must cried Let's do some living Oh, after we die // // Wild horses Couldn't drag me away Wild, wild horses Couldn't drag me away // As the song ends, we don't move. We're still wrapped in each others arms. I look up at him and he runs a finger down my cheek and under my chin. I lift my face to his and he kisses me. I feel my knees weaken and a tear escape my eye. It slowly rolls down my cheek, only to be brushed away by his hand. I can't do this. I thought I could, but I can't. Everything is perfect and then he's just going to leave? No... not tonight. I crush his body to mine and pull his head back down to mine. I smother his lips with mine, needing to feel him as much as possible. We pull apart and he sighs. Is it in contentment or disgust because he knows how desperately I need him. I hope it's the first. God, please say it's the first... Willow comes up and lays a hand on my shoulder to get my attention. I turn and she speaks, "Hey, um sorry to interrupt you and all, but I had something important to tell you." I look at her expecting doom. Please, not another apocolypse. That's the last thing I need right now. "It's about Angel's curse," she begins and looks pointedly at Angel, who arches an eyebrow. When did he start doing that, I wonder. Anyway, about his curse... continue on, Willow. "Giles and I began researching a few months ago, after Angel returned, and well we studied the original curse and then the one Miss Calendar recreated." Angel flinches at her name, but I squeeze his hand for assurance. "And?" I ask. Come on, Will. Spit it out! I can't hold this smile much longer... since I think I know what you're going to say. "Well, his soul is permanent," she states. She looks at Angel, "You can't ever loose your soul again," she says. I feel my heart beat faster and a huge smile cover my face. I look up at him and he smiles, too. I hug Willow and thank her. I think she has some idea of how much this means to us, but not fully. She leaves with Oz, hand in hand. Angel turns me to look at him and he has his serious face on. Oh God, he's still going to leave me isn't he? He notices my smile drop and holds onto my hand. "Don't worry. I'm not leaving you anymore, if that's what you're thinking," he whispers to me. Damn, he's good. How does he do that?! I nod and then reply, "I know we still have a lot to work out, but I don't want to lose you, Angel. I can't..." I start to cry, hating myself for letting him see me break down. "You won't, " he whispers. He scoops me up and carries me, threshold style, out of the gym. * * * * * We lay here in bed, my nude body pressed securely against his. My head is resting on his bare chest, which I gotta admit I never thought I'd see again. He's running his fingers through my hair with one hand, the other is securely wrapped around my waist. My legs are entwined with his and I sigh at the peacefulness to come out of this night. As I drift off to sleep, I whisper, "I love you." And I know he hears me because he says it back to me. And I find myself drifting off into the most peaceful sleep I've had since my 17th birthday. In his arms... everything is always perfect. // Wild horses Couldn't drag me away Wild, wild horses We'll ride them someday... // - Fin Sequel anyone? Let me know... |