Love is Immortal
by Zeo

"I love you. I try not to but I can’t stop." Angel said with tears welling up inside of him. And then there was the reply from the shaking Buffy. "Me too, I can’t either" At that moment it was like the world had stopped for these two people. They had spent so much time trying to deny their feelings and now in one moment their world’s of denial were shattered. They didn’t have to pretend anymore.

As they began to kiss passionately Angel suddenly pulled away. It was not that he didn’t want to give into the moment it was just that he was so absorbed in making Buffy happy that he wanted to know that she was certain. "Buffy....maybe we shouldn’t"

His feelings of anxiety were washed away with her reply. " Don’t..just kiss me"

The intimate time that they spent ahead was truly the final joining of two souls that were always destined to be together. Since the beginning of time it was already set in stone that these two opposites would meet and become one. It felt right........it was right. Nothing else mattered.

Lightening crashed around them yet they did not wake because as they lay there in each other’s arms they felt safe from the horrors of the outside world.

They finally woke early in the morning to the sounds of the dawn chorus. Angel stared into Buffy’s intense green eyes and he saw for the first time in a long time..happiness. He knew that as she stared into his own endless dark eyes, which usually seemed so sad, she saw a mirrored affection. They smiled. For him, she had filled the emptiness of his soul and taught him what it was like to be loved. For her, he had always been there to help and comfort when things were tough as they usually were. He showed her a side of himself that no-one else had seen or would be likely to.

Neither of them wanted to stir the peace but finally Angel spoke, " I love you" "I love you" was the reply without hesitation. They held each other more tightly. Soon they found themselves drifting back to sleep.

Meanwhile, in a suburban household not far away. The idiotic and repressive Joyce Summers was pacing frantically. Her daughter had not returned home and she was not staying over at anyone’s house. She picked up the phone and dialled quickly.

A sleepy Willow answered. "Hello?"

"Hi, this is Buffy’s mom."

"Oh, hi Mrs Summers. Is everything alright?"

"You don’t know where Buffy is do you? She didn’t come home last night..at all..she didn’t even come in from school."

"Well, she was studying all night with me and Xander and Mr Giles. And then she left with........uh....Angel."

"Who? The history tutor?"

"Umm, Yes."

"Well, where is she then?"

"Maybe it got too late and she decided to stay over until morning."

"Hmmm, where does he live?"

Willow stuttered an address and only hoped that Buffy had not decided to "seize the moment" with Angel last night. Joyce hurriedly put down the phone and leapt into her car. Willow frantically searched for Angel’s number...within a few moments however Joyce was already at the door of his apartment.

"Damn!" Willow couldn’t believe what she had just done. There was no way to rectify it..the damage was there already. She stared blankly at the empty coffee jug on her table . her head was spinning.

Joyce knocked on the door at Angel’s apartment. She waited for a few moments taking in her surroundings. It was dark and there were streaks of rust and damp on the walls around her. A sudden coldness swept over her and she shivered. There was no answer. She tried the door handle and slowly she pushed the door open.

The room was lit softly and there were many expensive paintings and statues dotted around tastefully. To her left was an old wooden desk...the light was still switched on and it was crowded with many papers. - He must have been working late - she thought to herself. As she moved her head round she noticed a sleeping figure in the bed.

"Hello?" she tried..but it was no use, he hadn’t heard her.. she edged towards the bed and gasped in horror as she realised that the yes, Angel was in the bed. But the figure she had saw was Buffy. They lay in each other’s arms contentedly. - History tutor? My god he has Buffy trapped into being with him or something..she would never do anything like this. - "Buffy!" she yelled.

Angel and Buffy woke with a start but because they woke looking at each other they smiled. And then to their amazement there was Joyce standing next to the bed.

"Buffy, are you okay?.....Get away from my daughter you pimp! I won’t let you do this to her. C’mon Buffy it’s all right now." - Why did they smile at each other? -

Buffy and Angel were in shock. But it was Buffy that summoned to courage to speak.

"Mom...this is Angel..you met before.....um..we’ve kinda been seeing each other."

"You don’t have to lie Buffy I’ll get him locked up for keeping you here."

"Mom, Angel isn’t what you think he is...whatever you think he is......and if you weren’t thinking about what you think he is...he still wouldn’t be what you thought he was..."

Angel held Buffy tightly... he nodded in support..and she went to continue.., But Joyce got there first "What on Earth are you rambling on about Buffy?"

"We’re in love and you can’t stop us from seeing each other."

"I’m having none of this! Come with me right now otherwise you’ll be sorry."

Joyce stared at her daughter expectantly but Buffy made no movement. Joyce stormed out of the room.

Angel spoke comfortingly. "It’ll be alright. We’ll cope......we always do."

Once again she felt at ease as he held her in his arms.

As Buffy returned to Angel’s apartment after another day at school, she heard shouting coming from the inside. She peeked around the door carefully. Her mother was almost attacking Angel. All he kept on saying to every shout was how much he loved her. Buffy rushed in and restrained her. "Angel? are you okay?"

"I’m fine"

"I have to tell her" Buffy whispered.

Angel nodded reassuringly.

"Mom? Angel’s a vampire."

"What?" She laughed out loud. "This is no time for comedy young lady" And with that she began to drag Buffy out of the apartment. She failed to gain any traction on the floor and was helpless. Angel felt the anger building inside of him. He couldn’t bare to see her held against her will and that anger erupted as his face morphed into that of his vampiric alter ego. He grabbed Buffy from Joyce and she clung to him for dear life.

Joyce screamed and she feared of Angel’s intentions towards her daughter. She then promptly proceeded to pass out..............After about ten minutes she awoke in a dazed state...but as she saw Buffy and Angel standing over her, she regained her fire and her situation became clear to her.

"How can you love this...this animal?"

Angel let out a low growl. Buffy looked up at him as she had done at the ice rink one time and she moved her hands across his features. She turned to face Joyce.

"I love Angel for who he is and not for what others see him as. He is a vampire, but he has a soul which is kind of a curse put on him but it means that we can be together. Always."

"Look at him.. he’s nothing more than the other beasts. He’ll hurt you."

Angel spoke to try and smooth things over. "Joyce, I love Buffy more than anything. I’ve never loved anyone before but she’s come along and given me hope. You have a wonderful daughter."

Angel and Buffy’s gaze crossed paths and they stared at each other lovingly. It was plain to all that they were stronger together. No-one would ever no how strong. The relationship had survived death, and all other adversities that came along. It was not a case of if they split up eventually things would be okay, they needed each other to survive, they depended on each other. On their own they were nothing. "I won’t allow it. How old are you Angel?"

He paused and then looked up "The truth?"

Joyce glared at him.

"umm..er..243"

Buffy almost started to laugh. When you heard someone say it out loud it did sound ridiculous. Her mother was becoming increasingly annoyed and all she could say was.

"You’ll come crying home when it doesn’t work out...and I know it won’t...no matter how much you try to convince me."

She left but Buffy and Angel knew that she would return.

It was late that night and Buffy had encountered some vampire activity by school. The rest of the Slayerettes looked on helpless. There were too many of them and she was being beaten. Even so she still managed to hold her own in the wordplay department as another wave of blows rained down on her.

"It’s such a shame that you’re all too much of a coward to fight me alone." A crunching left blow to head came down.

"What? Is that the best you can do...loser vamp...." Before she knew it a knife was raised above her and it slashed across her abdomen...she fell unconscious. The vampires were going in for the kill when out of the shadows Angel emerged. He struck them fiercely. They saw the anger in his eyes...they knew the wrath of Angelus and they ran.

Angel picked up Buffy carefully. "Buffy? Are you okay?" She opened her eyes briefly and let out a half-hearted smile. "I live..I think..there’s just the knife wound factor..think you can sort that out, I’m a bit tied up at the moment." She fell into a deep slumber. The rest of the gang hurried over to her. "Is she going to be okay?" Willow jittered on nervously.

"I think so, I gonna take her home." came the reply "Good idea...and what are you gonna tell her mother? Dead boy."

There was no reply and Angel set off for his..their home.

"Umm. I don’t want to get on the wrong side of you but Buffy’s home is the other way. Angel? Angel!" Cordelia yelled.

"What is he doing?"

"I think that Buffy and Angel are kinda together.....like properly." Willow said.

"What?"

"Well, Mrs Summers said that Buffy hadn’t been home and I’d been drinking coffee and told her that she left with A...A.Angel and then I told her where he lived and I saw her today and she didn’t look very happy." Willow stuttered sheepishly.

"Buffy and Dead Boy..like together..like she was with Angel and she didn’t go home."

"Yep."

"Oh man!"

Angel lay Buffy on the bed gently and went to get some dressings. She stirred slowly and moaned a little and then she spoke.

"Angel? Is that you?"

Angel moved to her side quickly and held her hand. "It’s alright I’m here."

As she became accustomed to her surroundings she realised that she was at Angel’s place and she beamed at him. "I’m glad I’m here."

"So am I. Look, I’m going to have to bandage you up, and we need to get you out of those bloody clothes."

"It really isn’t my look...the blood look. Umm..I think I’m gonna need a hand."

That was understatement, she could hardly move her arm. Angel gingerly removed her top and through the pain she wrapped her arms around him. They sat there for a few moments indulging in a passionate kiss. It was only cut off when Buffy whimpered in pain. Angel held her tenderly and bandaged the wound. His cold hands sent shivers down Buffy’s spine. She felt a shiver of excitement whenever he was around. She was cut deep and even with her slayer powers it would take time to heal, but no matter..he would be there for her, always.

"What do you think your mom is going to say...I mean I could have taken you back to her but I couldn’t let you face the ‘I told you so’ look. And anyway..I think we’ll be just fine here...." he paused "Together" Her face radiated warmth back to him. "You did the right thing..........I love you.." Their matching rings rubbed together..they were just another sign of their undying love..

"I never thought that I could ever be happy again but you’ve changed that Buffy Anne Summers, I have to admit we’re not the most likely of couples..with the slayer and vampire thing ...but I’ve think that we’ve proved that love can transpire all boundaries."

"So are we living together?" He laughed. "What?" She said with puzzled look on her face.

"After all that I’ve just said? I think that could be arranged..well it kinda already has." He looked sheepishly around that apartment. "We’ll sort out getting your stuff as soon as you’re better."

"Oh...." she gazed down at their hands. He followed her vision. She was mesmerised by their rings...."I mean...we’re both wearing them on the left hand now.."

"I see what you mean...well, what do you want them to mean?" He looked at her. Her eyes peered back as if they were searching for an answer on his face. "Ah, you’re thinking...well....... I know what you’re thinking..."

"Well....."She replied playfully. "Are you thinking what I’m thinking then? I mean I'm hardly gonnna be around for as long as most people."

"Of course I am........the marriage thought. I mean it would never be legal ‘cause I am legally dead but as far as I’m concerned we are already."

"Will you propose to me?"

He got down on one knee and held her delicate looking hands carefully. "Buffy, will you do me the honour of being my wife." She laughed and answered his question with a kiss. She broke off soon after and looked confused.

"Do you have a second name? I mean, ‘cause at the moment I’m still Buffy Summers."

"Well, I never really thought about that....hhmmmmm. It’s been such a rush of a few days. I mean two days ago we were still nervous and I had to turn my back when you changed. and now...god..we’re slayer-wife and husband-vampire. Who would have thought." Angel became side-tracked, lost in his own thoughts. Buffy decided to not disturb him. She just put her head on his shoulder and drifted off to sleep.

It was no dawn chorus that woke them but that of the telephone. Buffy rolled over and picked up the phone before returning to a conscious trance-like state in Angel’s arms. It was Giles.

"Hello?"

"Hello, can I speak to Angel please........Buffy? Is that you?"

"Judge speaking. Who do you think it is?" And then it dawned on her that they hadn’t told anyone of the eventful few days that had passed.

"What are you doing sleeping on Angel’s sofa when you could be at home?...oh...the others said you were injured, that’s why you’re there." And then he heard Angel moan slightly in the background. Even if he was standing right behind her he wouldn’t have sounded like that. He would have to be practically on top of her...Oh dear god, I hope not, he thought to himself.

"That’s not why I’m here...And I’m not on the sofa......"

"Well, where are you then?" Giles’ logical mind did not go to the answer which anyone would see as obvious.

"Use your imagination." Buffy scolded.

"Oh...."

"Me and Angel are kinda together properly and I’m living here now. We’re also...well, how do I say this...married?"

"What?!!!.....We are going to sort this out properly later but at the moment there’s the indestructible Judge out on the loose about to destroy the world and Drusilla is a near full health insane vampire.......I hope I didn’t hear you right before....I need you...both...right now.!" And with that he slammed the phone down.

A sleepy Angel was now regaining his head. He was still pretty much out of it but he had heard everything.

"So what’s happening?"

"We have to go to see Giles...The Judge and everything are still about."

Their lips met. They would have to delay the end of the world for a little longer. When they were together they were invincible. Their love wouldn’t let anything get in their way. Buffy eventually got out of bed. She was still in pain and very stiff but there was too much happening to be ill. She was wearing one of Angel’s tops. She had no clean clothes to change into and so Angel found her out something else of his. If the others haven’t figured out what was happening when I turn up in Angel’s shirt and pants then they never will. She thought to herself. Eventually they got to the library..it was still a few hours before the sunrise. The library was buzzing. Willow was sitting on Oz’s lap as she chatted to Giles about some book. Cordelia and Xander were arguing over nothing as usual. But when Buffy and Angel entered, or more to the truth Buffy staggered in holding onto the vampire she loved for support, there was silence and they all turned to face them. First of all they looked at Buffy who was dressed in Angel’s clothes. And then they noted the new closeness of the couple. The happiness could easily be seen in Angel’s eyes. That was something that none of the others had ever seen. Even though they thought they had an idea of what was going on they didn’t know how everything had escalated. It was Xander who started to talk.

"Hey Buff....." He looked at her from head to toe. "That’s a new look...the "I’m dressed in my bloodsucking boyfriend’s clothing" kinda fashion......I like it." His voice was dripping with sarcasm.

Buffy looked at Angel with a dreamy look on her face.

"Hey Buffy...How are you and Angel doing?....Oh we’re fine...I’m a little knife slashed, but everything’s fine...." She role-played on.

Now it was Willow’s turn. "Umm..Hey Buffy..Angel...there’s the Judge thing....."her voice trailed off and couldn’t help but stare at them.

"Maybe we should explain.....We’re living together...and...we’re married." Angel held Buffy tightly and she squeezed him back.

The gang were all gob-smacked.

"Living together?"

"Married?"

"Does your mom know?"

"She knows we’re together...But..we still have to tell her...y’know...the details.."

Willow was now ecstatic. "Oh this is great." She went and hugged them. Xander walked out of the room and Cordelia ran after him. Oz followed Willow’s example.

"That’s great man..well done."

Giles sat on his desk frowning. Buffy looked on for some kind of blessing. "You know that I don’t condone of this....but I know that I can’t stop you..so ...congratulations."

Everyone who remained in the room were smiling now...Even Giles..

But it had been a tiring time for Buffy and slowly she was weakening.... she collapsed. She was clearly not much better from her wound. Angel caught her and then kissed her, she opened her eyes.

"Take her home Angel...the Judge will have to wait. Xander has something to stop him with....a..a plan, I guess."

A look of surprise flashed through Angel’s eyes.

"Buffy can’t fight when she’s in this state. "

Without further fuss Angel carried her back to apartment before the sun rose and he would be a pile of ash.

He laid her down on the bed and she made pained noise. He ran his fingers through her golden hair and tried to soothe her. It worked. She was evidently in pain but she was now beginning to heal before their very eyes. Her slayer powers had come up trumps again and astounded them. In a few hours she would be at practically full strength.

Buffy and Angel had plenty to discuss in this time. Of course they weren’t always deep in discussion. Either way the time passed away very quickly.

"Happy Birthday Buffy, I hope you like the colour." This was Xander’s greeting as he showed them an anti-tank missile launcher. He had put on a brave face in front of them to show that he was coping with their news. Deep down inside his heart was wrenching every time he looked at them. The launcher would hopefully end the troubles with the Judge. Everyone hurried down to the mall. It was place with the most people. The more people the Judge drained the powers of the stronger he would become.

Buffy and Angel lead the slayerettes through the passages until they came to an opening. Buffy raised her crossbow and fired a few bolts at the Judge. His power draining session was interrupted and he looked up.

"I think I got his attention."

"No weapon forged can kill me." he replied smugly.

Xander and Angel passed her the launcher. All of the guards began to run when they saw what she was holding.

"I think we’ve moved on a little since the last time."

The Judge looked on bewildered.

"What does that do?"

Buffy pressed the trigger and an explosion of light filled the mall. The blazing missile hurtled towards the Judge at a blinding pace. It smashed into his body and there was a huge noise. Debris and body parts flew across the area.......Victory. The sprinkler system surpirsed everyone as a steady stream of water rained down on them. Most of the civilians had fled from and anyone who remained were running out of the doors. Then gang began to collect the body parts so that the Judge would never plauge humanity again.

Oz looked blankly at an arm on the floor and pointed it out in a jittery fashion.

"Um...arm.."...Even those who were fully initiated into the Scooby Gang found some things disturbing. And this was one of them....

Giles excused Buffy and Angel from this tedious and rather disgustiing duty. They needed some rest, it had been a tough few days. Though, on returning to Angel’s apartment they doubted that they would get much rest........................

Epilogue.

There would always be some great evil about to take over the world. It was just another day at the office. That was guaranteed..forever. Just like their love for each other.....There was a lot of things to still sort out, but while they were together...the world around them stopped...They had already made love immortal..maybe one day someone or something would come along that could make the lovers immortal too.

Go to the sequel

Let me hear ya say "Feedback"!

Go here for more of Zeo's stories.

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page