Time After Time

Phoebe was nearly shaking with the afterthoughts of her premonition. She had seen them, had seen them all, fighting against unknown demons, an army of them,and it hadn't been pretty.

But the strangest part was, it was a part of another girl's vision. Phoebe had actually seen this girl grab her head, then experienced the vision for herself.

"She still does," Leo told the group. They looked at him with collective curiosity. He shrugged. "I keep an eye on them."

He smiled and kissed her cheek. "You're welcome, sweetheart. And just so you know, they're all fine." He turned back to the rest of the extended family. "And there are quite a few witches among the children. None of them have powers, but they are extremely powerful casters, from what I can tell."

Her family waited patiently as she came back down with the Book Of Shadows. She placed it on the coffee table, in the center of the group of relatives and knelt in front of it. She held her hands above it and as her hands were tinged with yellow light, the pages flipped over until they reached a recent addition to the book.

Buffy took a deep breath. She looked at her family, those she couldn't always protect, those who were at a disadvantage each time they went out with her... "I've written a spell for Andy, and for any other future men that descend from the Halliwell line..." she began. "It's to bring forth their natural power, or enhance whatever they have within them."

Prue stopped her. "Wait, isn't that slightly in the 'personal gain' area? Don't get me wrong, I'd love for Andy to have some sort of power so that he isn't so, well...powerless...oh, you know what I mean..."

Leo frowned. "I don't think so. As far as calling on a power, that isn't really personal gain, since he'd be using it to aid the Charmed Ones, and looking at the spell, it calls does only call forth any dormant powers that lay within him..." He studied the spell and it's ingredients. Then he looked at his eldest daughter. "Very good, sweetheart..."

"Hold it!" came Daniel's voice. Andy looked at his Dad. "Don't I get any say in this?" he asked his wife.

Prue frowned. "I thought that you'd be happy that Andy would have something like this. You've always said that you wished he could protect himself somehow, apart from the martial arts..."

Buffy crawled over to her uncle and sat next to him, looking up into his face, making puppy dog eyes. "Pretty please, Uncle Danny?" She batted her eyelashes for good measure.

He laughed and messed up her hair. She promptly screamed in mock horror, jumping up and running for the hall mirror. "Sure kid!" he called after her.

Anya just stared at them. "I don't see how you can't just accept it. The prophesy is pretty clear. Buffy's back, and she's gonna be doing some serious demonic ass-kicking..."

Giles sighed as he looked at the ancient text once more, re-reading it, silently, to himself.

To Giles, many of the words made no sense. At best, the prophesy was disjointed, as if written hastily, unfinished.

What he did know, was that he had to call Angel. He wasn't looking forward to their conversation. The vampire was still mourning after nineteen years. If Buffy was back, maybe he would find some peace, but if Buffy's present self was dead already, he didn't know how Angel would react...

The entire family was out in the backyard, helping Andy get used to his new power. Buffy still couldn't believe that it had worked. It had been her first major life-altering spell that hadn't anything to so with demons.

"Dad?" Buffy looked up at her father. She wanted this opportunity to talk to him while everyone else was busy.

She looked down. She didn't really know how to put it. After so many years of waiting, she was finally the Slayer again. And soon, everyone would know... "Do you think that they'll remember me?"

"Oh, Buffy...you don't have to worry about that. From what I've seen, they all love and miss you dearly."

"And Angel," he nodded. Then Leo glared at her. "It's going to take some adjusting, having you with him..."

"Oh. That's okay then..." he paused, then changed his mind. "No, it's not! You're still my little girl, and I really hate the thought of you with anyone, especially him, because he can take you away from me..."

Buffy smiled as she hugged her father. "Don't worry, Daddy. It doesn't matter how much I love him, you'll always be my Dad. Nothing can change that and I'll always love you."

Piper had approached and heard Buffy's comment. "I guess that means that we're finally off to meet the dreaded ex?"

Buffy grinned as she turned to tell the rest of her family. Look out, Los Angeles, the Halliwells are coming to town...

She glared at him. "Hey! My visions are always true! And anyway, we've always known that the End Of Days was coming..."

"Well, it wasn't much of a fight, especially since the evil stopped coming for a whole year as soon as Buffy was killed," Cordelia argued.

Wesley looked around, carefully. They were at the Hyperion Hotel, where Angel lived and conducted his business. It was the daylight hours, so he was sure to be about. "Cordelia," his voice was admonishing. "You know how Angel reacts to her name..." he whispered.

Cordy pursed her lips. "Yeah, well, he's gonna have to get over it if we're going to get through this..."

The couple turned, looking to him like guilty children, despite them looking older than he. "Angel!"

Wesley nudged his wife when she didn't say anything. Cordy glared at him, then turned back to Angel, who was still reading, while leaning up against the counter. "Umm...well, there's this really big battle coming..."

"She said three days, Angel," Wesley told him. "From what Cordelia has told me, it will pick up right where it left off nineteen years ago. It's the End Of Days..."

Angel froze. "It take it we're not talking about the movie from nineteen years ago, are we?" Even to himself, the statement sounded ridiculous.

Angel slowly put the newspaper on the counter, the rested his elbows on the hard surface, burying his face in his hands.

Cordelia put a hand on his back in comfort. The phone rang beside them. Wesley answered. "Hello. Angel Investiga-" He paused. "Oh dear...yes, well, you'd better get up here as soon as possible. Everyone. No, it's coming back again...everything. All right, goodbye." The former Watcher quietly placed the receiver back in it's cradle.

He turned to her. "We'll have help for the coming battle, Cordelia. Giles and the others will be here in a few hours. There's more than just the battle we have to worry about."

Cordelia frowned. "Yeah, I know. We have to find this chick Elizabeth. At least, I think so. That's the only name that jumped out at me. She'll be able to tell us what's going on."

Wesley shook his head, his eyes glued to his boss, who was still slumped against the counter. "No. There was something that Giles wasn't telling me. He knew about the battle already, but something in his voice...I don't know..."

"Maybe it was me?" The three investigators turned to the front entrance of the hotel as a young, feminine voice was heard. She was leading a rather large group of people, ranging from their early teens, to their mid fifties.

Angel stepped forward, his eyes focusing on the leader, a girl in her late teens, with long dark hair. "Buffy?" he croaked out.

The ride to Los Angeles had been uneventful. For Buffy, anyway. She had ridden with her parents, Aunt Phoebe and her cousin, Penny. Buffy had her own car, but she didn't want to be alone on the drive. More to the point, Buffy had been too busy thinking on the way to know where they were going...

Her Aunt Prue was a different story. She and Daniel had a hyperactive new witch on their hands during the trip. Andy had been playing with his little balls of fire while his father had driven. Unfortunately, Andy had been a little careless, and the material that covered the underside of the car's roof had caught fire.

Daniel had signaled Leo to stop and both cars had pulled over. Luckily, they were still near the water, and Prue had directed some into the car, drenching the entire thing. Needless to say, Buffy had stood on the sidelines laughing, while her youngest cousin had received the lecture of his life.

When they had continued to L.A, Buffy had run through so many reunion scenarios in her head. She hadn't realized how active an imagination she'd had. There were scenes where she and Angel had seen each other and had immediately headed for the bedroom, then there was one where Angel hadn't recognized her, and when prompted, he had even forgotten about her. Those ones were the worst, the ones where he didn't know or had forgotten her.

No matter how many times her father had told her otherwise, Buffy still couldn't get the images out of her head. One thing was for sure. Things were different this time, and she could do things that would have been too far above her comprehension. But no. This time, if the curse was still an issue, she had the answer...

Angel stepped closer, the need to reassure himself that she was alive...the physical change regardless...driving him to touch her.

Prue, Piper and Phoebe looked on with misty gazes. Leo, Daniel, and even young Andy looked on with typical male distrust. This was the demon that their Buffy would be with...her boyfriend for the time being, and that was just something that the men didn't like, no matter how destined the couple were.

Buffy also stepped closer. When their fingers touched, fire sprang between them and they gripped each other, vowing silently to never let go. Their audience watched as they held each other, murmuring words that only they could hear.

"Me too, I didn't either. My life was better this time around, though. I've had my family to back me up in a fight, and I'm the Slayer again. But the only thing I regret, is that I didn't come here sooner, but Dad said that it wasn't meant to be..."

Angel pressed a kiss to her neck. Buffy held him there, memories of another such moment brought forth in her mind. He pulled back after a few seconds. Disappointment welled deep within her, but she understood. She understood all too well...and she'd do something about it.

Buffy smiled at him. "I guess I'd better do the introductions." She turned to her family. "These are my parents, Leo and Piper Wyatt." She gestured to her parents, then to her Aunts and their families. "My Aunt Prue, her husband, Daniel and their son, Andy. Also, my Aunt Phoebe and her daughter, Penny."

Buffy grinned at Wesley. He hadn't changed much... "My Dad watches over people. Anyway, I guess it's time I really introduced you." Her family smiled. Angel and the others looked at her quizzically. "I guess I should introduce you to the Halliwells..."

"That's one Hell of a secret, Buffy..." Angel smiled. "The descendants of the Warren line...good witches." Angel frowned for a second as he studied the group. Then it dawned on him. "Three sisters...the Charmed Ones."

"No!" Buffy, the three sisters and Leo all cried as a flame formed in his hand. Buffy and Piper directed their powers at the flame and froze it. Prue directed it into a nearby trash can so that it didn't do any harm.

Prue stood by her son, who was nearly as tall as her and sighed. "I don't think that Angel wants his hotel turned into a pile of ashes..."

Prue held back a smile at her niece's comment. "So I think that you should try to not doing anything that could trigger your powers for the moment...okay?"

Andy nodded, glad that he wasn't in more trouble. Prue smiled. Her son was a handful, but she adored him.

When Buffy turned back to her friends, they were standing there, agape. "Oh, did I forget to mention that I'm a witch?" she grinned. "Natural, of course."

Buffy chuckled. She'd forgotten just how much fun Cordelia could be when she was rattled. "Yeah, the hair, too..."

There was only one question left... "So, how have you guys been for the past nineteen years?"

Cordelia turned to Wesley. "We've been good..." she nodded matter-of-factly, copying Buffy's humorous manner. "You know how it is, you get married, have a couple of kids...fight the demons...have a few more kids..."

They all laughed at the tension breaker. Cordelia took a few steps towards Buffy and surprisingly, gave her a hug. "We missed you, Buffy."

Cordelia stared at her with a fun-loving grin. "I'll say! I remember a time when I wouldn't talk to you if my life depended on it. And as I recall, more often than not, it did!"

Leo nodded. He watched as his eldest daughter looked at her former lover. Angel held out his hand and led her up the stairs. "I guess we have some stuff to talk about..."

Cordelia looked at Buffy's family. "Well, I guess I'll fix you all up with rooms. I take it that you're here for the battle?"

Wesley frowned. "Something just occurred to me. Buffy...what do you call her? I assume she wasn't born with the name."

It was Phoebe who answered. "She's wanted us to call her that since she was five years old. Buffy remembered her past life in a dream."

Buffy nodded, still avoiding his gaze. "Yeah, great." It was all so different now that they were alone... "You?"

It was the touch that did it, just like before. One minute, they were completely rational adults, the next, their limbs were entwined and their lips were locked, tongues joining in a reunion dance so sweet that tears welled in their eyes.

The couple fell back, laying horizontally on Angel's bed. Within seconds, the vampire had her top undone and his hand was cupping her firm breast. Buffy gasped at the intimate contact. Even though Buffy and Angel had been lovers at one time, Angel and Elizabeth hadn't been, and just like Buffy, Elizabeth had waited for her Angel.

All doubts quickly left her mind as Angel pressed a kiss to her neck. She whimpered and held his mouth there, unconsciously begging for him to take her, anyway he wanted.

Buffy cried out when Angel pulled back. She saw that his hair was disheveled, and his expression was anything but brooding. It was filled with unfulfilled passion, as was his hard body.

"Buffy, I can't...nothing's changed for me. The curse is still in effect. We can't-" he broke off, knowing that he didn't need to say anything more, but not wanting to fully voice his shame. And to him it was a shameful thing. He could see that she was just as worked up as he, but the difference was, he'd had experience at keeping reign on his physical responses, while she was still young...again...and that unfulfilled passion hurt, no matter how sweet it was.

Angel couldn't believe it when she grinned, though. Almost as if she had gotten him worked up deliberately, but he immediately dismissed the idea. That wasn't Buffy's style. But then...she wasn't Buffy...

She slowly got up from the bed and crossed over to her bag and pulled out something. "Don't worry about it, I've got it covered. I paid attention in Sex Ed. Never go anywhere without protection, right?" she grinned as she turned, an Orb of Thessulah resting in the palm of her hand. "But this is more like a cure..."

Wesley was organizing some extra bedding while Cordelia engaged Buffy's family in pleasant conversation. The woman wanted to know everything about Buffy's new life, and since Buffy wasn't there to tell her, she'd go to the next best source - her family.

Suddenly, the sky darkened and thunder cracked. The entire group grew concerned as everything went dark. But the sun returned only seconds later, brighter than ever. It was Piper who noticed her husband's preoccupied expression.

Piper glared at him. "Oh, no you don't, buddy! If they want help today, they can damn well get someone else..."

Leo scowled at the ceiling. "That was more than I needed to know!" Then he turned back to his wife and smiled sheepishly. "They just wanted to let me know that the sky thing wasn't a bad thing."

"That was sooo more than I wanted to know..." Cordelia groaned as she realized what it meant.

Just like before... Everything was so different, yet it was the same. Just like the first time. Right when she needed to hear it the most, he told her that he loved her, then he entered her slowly, ridding her of her virginity once again.

Peace flooded her body, like nothing she'd ever felt. Feeling him embedded so deeply within her, put all of the still-lurking fears to rest. This was Angel, and he hadn't changed, would never change, and he'd always loved her, would always love her.

She gasped when he pulled out of her, then thrust into her once more as he captured her lips in another breathtaking kiss. It suddenly hit her that it was all real. He was back in her arms, and there was nothing standing in their way...

When the couple finally emerged from Angel's room, four hours later, everyone was settled in their rooms, and only Leo remained in the lounge area.

When Buffy spotted her father, she had a guilty, but joyous expression on her face. One glance at the obvious love they shared, and Leo's gaze softened. Even though he'd been preparing for years for the day that he'd be giving up his daughter, he still hadn't been ready, but being confronted with the fact, well, he would just have to get used to it. Buffy was more than content, so Leo squashed his inner 'fatherly concern' like a bug and stood to greet them.

Buffy noticed her father's more friendly demeanor and rushed to hug him. Leo smiled at her and hugged her back. "Be careful, okay?"

It was Giles and the rest of the gang, the next generation and all. Buffy bit her lip, to stop herself from crying out at being suddenly confronted by the very people she hadn't seen in nineteen years.

He smiled at the unfamiliar people and quickly dismissed them. "I believe we have some business to discuss."

The others did so, but Giles remained reluctant. He glanced at the vampire's guests once again. "Um...Angel...I don't think..."

Buffy stiffened. She knew that she wasn't being rational, but she'd wanted so badly for one of them to recognize her, especially Giles. She had recognized him as a demon, the least he could have done was return the favor. It should have been a little easier since she was a human.

A hysterical sob escaped her throat. She tore away from her father and went to run out of the room. She'd barely reached the doorway when cool hands stopped her. "Now, where do you thin you're going, Slayer?" came a delighted, English voice from behind her.

Buffy froze as she recognized the voice. She grinned to herself as she was pulled onto his lap. Buffy looked up at his smiling face. "'ello, there, Pet!"

"Spike!" she cried. She began laughing as she threw her arms around his neck and gave him a hug.

Buffy didn't see Angel and her father glaring at the younger vampire, or the stunned looks from the rest of the group, which included Joyce Summers.

"Hey!" Leo interrupted the friendly moment. "Would you mind unhanding my daughter before I have to stake you?"

"Sure thing, mate. I don't fancy m'self fitting into an ashtray anytime soon, and Peaches over there, looks about ready to do me in..." Spike grinned as he set Buffy on her feet.

She opened her mouth to answer, when Phoebe came running down the stairs, followed by her daughter, Penny. "Buffy! We need your help!!!"

Buffy rubbed her forehead. "Okay, we have two people who have premonitions and they're both scream 'trouble'...now, what does that tell me...?" she muttered to herself.

Cordy, Phoebe and Penny stopped dead in front of Buffy, arriving at the same time. They noticed their captive audience. Cordy grinned, "Hi, guys! I'd stop, but we've got problems." She turned to Phoebe. "Big, bad demon?"

"Big, bad demon..." Phoebe and Penny nodded and grinned. It was fun having another source to confirm with...

Leo groaned. The Scooby Gang were baffled, but the others looked at him in amusement. He glared up at the ceiling and began 'talking' to it. "I know I'm only a Whitelighter, your servant, but why can't you listen to me??? I don't. Want. To. Know! Is that too much to ask???"