The Wheel
Disclaimers: See part one.
Part Five
It was curiosity more than anything else that led Riley to volunteer to accompany Cordelia to the cemetery. It had only been after Buffy's death that he had finally learned about Angel, the vampire with a soul she'd been so involved with. He understood now the things she would never tell him, the part of herself he could never get close to. That was where the vampire had still dwelled in her where she still held on to him and could not let go.
So it was that Riley felt more than his share of curiosity - and jealousy, perhaps - when the vampire appeared at the door. Yet looking at the handsome, older man whose gaze had become a vacant stare at Buffy's death, the curiosity only grew stronger. So under the guise of keeping her safe, he accompanied Cordelia and helped her take Angel to Buffy's gravesite.
Cordelia wasn't very talkative, though. Wearily she supported Angel as best she could over the uneven ground of the cemetery. They reached Buffy's grave in silence. Once Angel was propped up, standing with just a bit of support from Cordelia, Riley moved back to let them have time to themselves.
Riley watched the area for vampires and demons. After all, that's what he said he was coming along for. He drew his weapon and watched the darkness. Nothing moved in the unnaturally still night.
A cry drew his attention after several minutes. It was not the animalistic cry of a demon though, but the anguished cry of a man. Riley turned back to the gravesite to see that Angel had fallen. Riley was about to help Corldeia until he saw that she supported Angel, not because he'd finally lost his strength, but because real grief had taken it from him. She held Angel as his shoulders shook with sobs, saying nothing but comforting him as best she could.
Time passed slowly until finally the vampire pulled away, the first movement Riley had seen him make on his own. Cordelia looked at him with concern in her eyes.
"I'll be alright," Angel assured her, wiping the last of the tears from his cheeks.
She glared at him. "Don't lie to me," she scolded.
"I didn't say *when* I'd be alright," Angel replied honestly. "But I'm…okay for now."
"Yeah, sure," Cordelia replied.
Angel climbed slowly to his feet. He swayed unsteadily, and Cordelia jumped up and grasped his arm to help him.
"Easy," she said softly. "You've been in bed for over a week."
Angel looked at her in surprise. "Over a week?"
Riley chose that moment to draw their attention. "Since Friday before last."
Cordelia looked back and forth between Angel and Riley uneasily. This could be very awkward. "Angel, this is Riley."
Riley offered his hand and Angel shook it lightly. The vampire's eyes were no longer vacant, but filled with a grief Riley could only begin to understand. They let each other's hands go in silence.
"What day is it?" Angel asked finally.
"Tuesday," Cordelia replied.
They stood in silence for a moment. Angel's gave returned to the gravestone and looked pained.
"We can't stay here," Riley said finally. "It's too dangerous."
Angel nodded and glanced at the grave. "Goodbye, love," he whispered and stepped away.
After two steps he stumbled and nearly fell. Riley caught him and supported him with an arm around his shoulders. Their eyes met. The two men, both in love with the same woman, reached a silent understanding in that moment that they could never explain afterwards. There was nothing to be jealous of anymore, when all was done. Buffy was dead, and they were going to have to work together if they weren't going to join her.
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