The Longest Summer
by Anat

I

The street was so alive, so full of people. The girl looked around her, fascinated by the glowing lights and neon signs. Finally, she reached her destination. She left the small town life in favor of the big city of angels. Sometimes she thought of her parents, working in the fields, thinking about her. But her hard worker folks rarely had time for her. She had neither money nor a place to stay, but all of that was better than sleeping in the barn which was her house.

The girl walked out of the public shelter. The dinner was gross, but it was still food…... at least supposed to be food.. She noticed a tall man, dressed in black, looking at her. She felt a twinge in her stomach... fear. Her heart started beating faster, threatening to burst out of her chest. There are many people out here, she thought to herself, trying to calm herself down, while beginning to walk faster. Nothing would happen to me here...

She felt hands on her shoulder. The man turned her around... she gazed at his monstrous features, revealing his white fangs. Before she could even cry out, the thing pierced her neck with his fangs. She felt her body weaken. Then she felt dizzy, her sight became foggy, when she saw some black figure ripping the thing that sucked her neck away from her. She fell down to the floor, thinking her blurred eyes are deceiving her, because the thing that was a man before turn to dust in front of her. She could only moan softly, when she felt someone (or something?) lifts her off the ground.

II

The girl opened her eyes, she was at the hospital. She was still feeling dizzy, then it wasn’t just a bad dream. She saw the blood bag near the bed. Los Angeles wasn’t fun anymore. She just wanted to go back home.

In the evening, the doctors informed her she would be released by morning. They told her a man brought her to the hospital. She suffered from a loss of blood, due to a cut in her neck. They thought she slumped on a sharp thing. After the doctor left, she saw a tall man, dressed in black. She became alerted, and sat on her bed.

"What do you want?" she asked in a trembling voice.

The man walked forward slowly. He was very handsome, and looked pretty calm.

"I won’t hurt you. I just wanted to check out if you were okay", He said.

Her face brightened. "It was you. You saved me and brought me here".

He nodded. "I’ll let you rest now", He turned to walk away.

"Wait..." she called after him. He stopped and turned to look at her.

"What’s your name?" she asked.

"My name’s Angel", He said with a slight nod.

"Woah..." she murmured. "You are certainly my angel".

Angel smiled slightly. "Well, I have to go now. You should go back to your home".

"I don’t have a home", She said, suddenly saddened. "I ran away".

Angel didn’t respond. It was one thing to save the girl from a bloodthirsty vampire, but to start questioning her about her life. It wasn’t his line.

"What was that thing anyway? It looked like a monster".

"I think you should go home. It’s not exactly a safe haven for runaway kids", He said slowly.

"Then let me come with you. I can't go back home".

"I can’t take you with me".

"Please".

"I’m sorry. Your parents must be worried".

"They never cared that I was there", She shrugged.

"I can’t take you, I’m sorry".

III

"Who’s the chicka, Angel?" Doyle gazed at the girl sitting in the office, not far away from there. Talking with Cordelia.

"Her name’s Coral. She doesn’t have a place to stay".

"So now you’re adopting street kids?"

"She ran away from home and was attacked by Larius".

"Larius? Man, that bastard is..."

"Dead". Angel cut him off.

"Dead?"

"Yup. I staked him".

"Way to go! I can’t believe it", Doyle took off his hat. "I salute you".

"Now, we just need to convince that girl to go home".

They headed to the office. Coral jumped on her feet. "I want to help you Angel. I can help you fight all the demons, vampires and the other things". She said, excited.

Both Angel and Doyle gazed at Cordelia. She looked at them.

"What? Wasn’t she suppose to join us?"

Angel and Doyle exchanged looks.

"We could use the manpower, I got an appointment to the manicurist on Tuesday". Cordelia waved her hands. "Look at my nails! They need CPR, all this saving the world manner doesn't do good for nails".

IV

"Angel..." Buffy whispered softly when she saw him in front of her. "Is it really you?" she walked closer. They embraced. She felt his strong arms around her waist. "I missed you". She whispered. He lowered his head. His lips close to hers. "I missed you too. I should have come back sooner", Then he brushed his lips over hers and she returned the kiss. She closed her eyes as the kiss deepened, and brushed her hand over his spiky

hair.She opened her eyes when their lips parted. She gazed at his game face. "Oh, I really should have come back sooner", He smiled, and his smile was evil, she looked at him horrified. "Angel?" she whispered.

He grasped her tight and sank his teeth in her neck.

Buffy woke up, covered with cold sweat. She panted and looked around her. "Angel..." she whispered. Her head was heavy and she felt weak. She tried to go to the window, to breathe fresh air, but she felt her legs can’t hold her, then she blacked out.

"Okay, so during the day you’ll stick with me. I’ll show you around. L.A is heaven for girls like us. I’ll take you to the finest shoe stores around. We’ll get you off this peasant outfit... a real makeover... only we will have to get some money first-"

Angel and Doyle listened to Cordelia talking to Coral.

"Well, maybe she will go home after all". Said Doyle.

Angel dropped down to his knees.

"Well... it wasn’t that funny, pal". Doyle bent down.

Angel moaned. An image of Buffy in bed flashed in his head. He writhed in pain.

"Are you okay?"

Then after a moment, Angel got up again. "Something’s going on". He whispered. "Buffy.." he whispered, frowning.

He put his hand on Doyle’s shoulder.

"Take care of the ladies. I have to go".

"Have to go? Where? Angel buddy, I don’t like it... I'm the one with the brain messages!"

But Angel already walked away.

"I can feel something bad coming up our way". Doyle whispered to himself.

V

He looked out of the dark windows of his car. All the familiar sights of the familiar road. It was the third time he was driving in that road. Something was going on and he didn’t like it. The image of her face, full of pain and suffering. It hurt too much. He forced himself not to think of her, let alone burst back into her life. But he wanted to make sure she’s okay. Just watching her from a distance was safe enough. It was summertime, so he knew she still hasn't started her college education. He will watch her go out with her friends to the bronze, or the mall, or whatever. Just a glimpse of her and he’ll be calm again.

He got back into town in the middle of the night. Driving past his mansion, old, very vivid memories of his days (or rather nights) there, both as Angel and Angelus. He remembered when –and how- Angelus killed the land lord and got the place for himself. He stopped his car and walked to the mansion. He could already smell the sun in the horizon. As much as he wanted to see Buffy and make sure she’s okay, he needed to stay alive in order to do so.

As the sun lit up its final rays and sank into the horizon, Angel left the mansion and headed towards Buffy's house. Just a glimpse, he told himself all the way there. Don't let her know you were back.

He climbed on the tree that grew conveniently in front of her window. He remembered sitting on that tree, watching her sleeping. Her room was empty. But it was figured, as it was very early in the evening. She probably hanging out with her friends, or in the graveyard staking new risen vampires...

He heard a car, and looked down to see Joyce walking into the house.

She looked like she could use a good sleep. All his senses screamed out that there was something very wrong going on.

He jumped off the tree, and started walking. He wondered where would Giles be now, when the slayer was longer in high school. Did he apply for a job at the college library?

Just as he suspected, no one even bothered to rebuilt Sunnydale High. Angel left the place, starting to wander around again. There weren't many people around, now that too many people knew what things possessed their streets at night, no one ever lived the way they used to. He wondered if that was the purpose of fighting evil. Once he thought fighting the evil was meant so the people could live peacefully and walk safely in the streets. But now, no one dared to go out after sunset. Fear ruled everybody.

The Bronze was empty. No sign of Buffy in the graveyard as well.

Then he saw her. Coral was walking the streets looking around. Then he felt the vampire. He knew she was followed, ready to be a breakfast. He didn't waste any second and called her name. She smiled when she saw him. Then the vampire attacked. Angel rushed to her aid and kicked the vampire away. Coral started screaming.

The vampire was dazed for a moment, then charged once more. Angel punched him and threw him away. The vampire landed on his back, then got up and ran way.

"Yay! You bit the crap outta him!" Coral exulted Angel huffed. "You are some vampire-magnet. What are you doing here?" He was slightly upset at her arrival.

"I came after you. I didn't feel safe with those two clowns there in L.A. I wanted to be with you".

Angel shrugged. "Well, hopefully, I'm gonna see what I want to see and we'll be back with those clowns in no time".

"What are we looking for, then?"

Angel started walking again, and she followed him. "A friend", He said huskily.

VI

Giles lifted his head off the book he was reading. He wondered who could that be. Seldom had he had anyone visiting him. He managed to get himself up from the pile of books that covered him, and went to the door. He gazed stunned at Angel, standing in his door.

"Angel?" he took off his glasses. Then he noticed the girl that stood there with him.

"May I come in?"

"Of course... come in please.." Giles opened the door and the two entered.

"I see you moved the library here". Said Angel, looking at the piles of books all messed up in the small apartment.

"Ye... yes". Murmured Giles and put his glasses back on.

"So I guess you heard the unfortunate news", Giles gazed at the girl.

Angel noticed his stares. "Oh, that's Coral. I rescued her from a vampire down town. What news?" he returned his gaze from Coral to Giles.

"Didn't you hear? Then what are you doing back here?"

"I needed to check out Buffy was alright... I had some... seizure... and I saw her in pains"... Angel swallowed the last words.

Giles paled. "That's very interesting... Buffy is... is..."

"Is what?" Angel locked his eyes on Giles.

"She's been hospitalized". Giles said quietly. "Two days ago".

"What?"

"She's sick... I I I don't know what she has... the doctors seems to be incapable of identifying her symptoms..." Murmured Giles.

"Where is she now?"

"At the hospital... I'm researching my books to see if there's some sort of a slayer disease that might have es escaped the doctors' knowledge".

"Did you or Wesley contact the council?"

"You don't know?"

"Know what?"

"Buffy quit the council". Giles sighed. "I thought she told you".

"No. When did this happen?"

"When Faith poisioned you. The council refused to help Buffy find a cure for you since you were you you are a vampire".

Angel frowned. "So they won't help now".

"No I'm afraid they are very narrow-minded".

"I have to go there and see her", Angel turned to go.

"Where's your friend?" asked Giles.

Angel suddenly became aware to the fact Coral was no longer there. "Hmmm she probably went to wander around again. I don't have time to look for her. I'll go to the hospital. If you see her make sure she doesn't go anywhere".

He saw Xander at the cafeteria, but he didn't stop to say hello. He rushed to the room where Buffy stayed. He entered the room. Willow and Oz were sitting there, holding hands.

"Angel!" Willow got up when she saw him.

He looked down at Buffy. She looked awful. Covered with sweat and so pale.

"How is she?" he asked.

Willow frowned. "Not good. The doctors don't know what she has".

Angel leaned down and touched Buffy's forehead gently.

"She called your name a few times, she was delusioning". Informed him Willow.

"Angel..." Buffy whispered.

"I'm here". He said softly, quietly.

She opened her eyes slowly, and looked at him. "You must never come back..." she whispered.

"I think her disease has something to do with me". Angel told Giles, back in his apartment.

"Why?"

"I felt her pain. I saw her suffering. Now she told me I shouldn't have come back to town".

"I believe you two share a strong connection. Especially after you... you..." Giles hesitated. "Well, you did drink her blood".

Angel winced at the memory.

"And before you turned... into Angelus... she had those nightmares where you died".

"Maybe it's my turn to cure her". Angel said in a low tone.

"What do you think?" Giles stared at him.

"I don't know. Have you found anything yet?"

"Nothing. I'm at a total loss here. And Joyce... she's hysterical. She blames me. Buffy's fever is not decreasing. The doctors gave her a week".

Angel frowned. "Not if that's up to me".

VII

"You should go now. The sun is up in less than an hour". Giles glanced at Willow, Xander & Oz who fell asleep earlier. Xander wasn't too happy to see Angel back in town, but he didn't say a word, surprisingly.

Angel took one last look at Buffy and turned to leave.

"If there is a change, let me know", He said, though he knew there wouldn't be any good news.

"Angel", He turned around and saw Buffy standing in the middle of the room. "Buffy, are you all right?" he tried to reach her.

"Don't come closer, Angel. The light will burn you", She said.

He couldn't see light. The room was dark.

"Am I dreaming?" he asked her.

"Yes. You shouldn't have come back here, Angel. You must go".

"Will you die?"

"It doesn't matter".

"Buffy..." his voice trembled.

"I can't watch you revert again. I rather die", She said, her eyes full of tears.

He moved closer to touch her. A glowing light filled her body.

"Angel, no!" she screamed and stepped backwards.

"How lovely, my two love birds. But are you really ready to sacrifice yourselves for one another?"

Angel turned to look at the familiar voice, and found himself staring at Coral.

Angel gasped and woke up. He panted and looked around him. It was already past sunset.

He left for the hospital. Giles and Joyce were in Buffy's room. There was no sign of the others.

"Angel", Joyce was surprised to see him.

"Hello, Joyce". He said quietly.

"She was just screaming your name", Said Joyce after a moment of silence.

"I know... I..." he gazed at Buffy. "I've been in her dream. Or maybe she was in mine..."

He turned to Giles. "Have you seen the girl that came with me?" he asked him.

"No. Not since she left".

"I think she might have something to do with Buffy's condition".

"What?"

Angel looked miserable. "I don't know. I thought you might know something".

"Maybe I can clear it up for you", They all turned to see Coral standing at the door.

"Who are you?" asked Angel, angrily.

"I am Coralancus. Queen of the eighth realm in the north". She smiled.

"North of what?" asked Joyce.

"Hell..." Said Giles.

"Oh," Said Joyce, confused. Then she frowned. "... Oh".

"Coralancus... master demon of the lost souls. The eighth realm... Thesulah?" asked Giles, still pondering.

"Yes, that's right. I see you learned your material well, Mr. Giles".

Angel looked at her. "What do you want from us?"

"Your beloved Buffy is going to die within 3 days. Unless you will return something that belongs to me".

They all kept staring at her. "What?" asked Giles.

"Your soul, Angel", She said, confidant. "It belongs to me".

"But wouldn't that kill him?" asked Joyce, looking at Giles for an answer. Angel and Giles exchanged looks. Giles took his glasses off and cleaned them with his handkerchief.

"It will bring back Angelus", He said huskily, looking down.

"Is that bad? Who is Angelus?" asked Joyce.

Angel sighed. "It's the demon in me, Joyce. It's the bad vampire I used to be".

"Oh..." she frowned again.

"Isn't there another way? Can't you cure her?" Giles turned to Coral.

"Then it won't be fun. I was quiet when the gypsies took his soul back to earth. It was fun seeing him miserable and all. But now it's no longer fun".

"Then take my soul and cure her. Without unleashing Angelus. I rather be dead", Said Angel firmly.

"I'm afraid that would take all the fun out of the game. You won't get to hurt Buffy, and she won't get to kill you", Coral smiled wickedly.

"We can't do it", Said Giles, stepping forward.

"You got three days to decide. I'll be waiting. She will be dead", Coral walked backwards until she vanished into the air.

"I have to do it", Angel said quietly, looking at Buffy.

"You'll bring back Angelus. I don't know what havoc you... he... will provoke until we can... stop him". Giles emphasized his last words, he didn't want to say what he feared. They would have to kill him, because cursing him would be impossible with the mistress of Thesulah against them.

"Then lock me in a room, and kill me right after you make sure Buffy is alright".

"Are you sure? Buffy would..."

"She forced me to drink her in order to heal. I'm doing the same now. I'll go back to where I suppose to be. And she'll be back here".

"I knew you'd come around", Said Coral, walking inside again.

"Let them lock me up first", Demanded Angel. Before they could say another word, wind started blowing in the room. There was a flash of blinding light. Angel could hear Buffy calls his name for the last time. Giles and Joyce fell on the floor to hide from the strong wind.

Angel and Buffy looked at each other.

"Angel, no", She said. "I love you, Buffy", He said. She reached out her hand to touch him, he sent his hand to touch hers, but never reached her. Her last call echoed in his head, and then everything was black and quiet.

Part Two

End of part one.

well, since i created the villains, i wanna know what you think!

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