One More Day With You
Chapter Four of Music of the Heart
DISCLAIMER: We own nothing with the exception of our original story idea. The characters from BtVS and Angel belong to Joss, Mutant Enemy, Lazy Dave Productions, 20th Century Fox, et al. We are merely borrowing them.
RATING: PG
SPOILERS: Season 5 of BtVS, up to and including “The Gift.” After that, the story spins off into our own little alternate universe.
SUMMARY: An A/U fic in which Buffy is dead and some unexpected people arrive in Sunnydale to help the Scooby Gang.
DISTRIBUTION: THC & Beau, anyone else, ask and it shall be given.
NOTE: We own no rights to the song, “One More Day With You.” It belongs to the group, Diamond Rio, and we simply borrowed the lyrics, which are indicated by italics.
The Lone Tree steakhouse and bar seemed to be hopping when the three of them arrived there at a little past six. In fact, the hostess wrote down Graham’s name and told them that it would be about ten or fifteen minutes before she could seat them. Cordelia took a seat on a long wooden bench and Graham sat next to her. He wrapped one arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look?” His eyes traveled the length of her body before coming to rest on her face.
Cordelia had taken extra efforts with her appearance after her long, hot shower, and she was thrilled that he had noticed. She was wearing a denim wraparound skirt with a hem that ended just above her knees, a sleeveless white button-down blouse, and a pair of strappy white sandals. Her hair had been pulled up into a high ponytail and she had taken care with her make-up.
“Thank you,” she replied, smiling warmly at him. She reached for one of his hands and laced her fingers through his.
Riley had chosen to stand rather than sit next to the two of them on the bench. Watching the two of them was suddenly becoming too painful. He was happy for his best friend, he really was, but seeing two people so obviously falling in love was hard, especially knowing that the woman he had loved was dead. Riley would never get the chance to say all the things to Buffy that he had planned to. He would never hold her hand, or kiss her lips, or make love to her again.
He cleared his throat as a means of getting Cordy and Graham’s attention. “I think I’m gonna go get something to drink from the bar. Can I bring either of you anything?”
“I could use a beer,” Graham told him. “Anything for you, Cordy?”
“Well, I’m not a huge drinker, so I’ll have a mineral water with a twist for now. Save myself for a glass of wine later with dinner.”
“Coming right up,” Riley replied as he took off in the direction of the bar.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Cordelia voiced her concerns to Graham regarding his friend.
“He looks horrible.” Cordelia said, her eyes following Riley as he wandered into the bar.
“I know, but he won’t talk about it regardless of what I say or do. Rye’s not ready yet.” Graham replied as he lightly squeezed her hand.
Cordelia leaned her head on his shoulder, allowing Graham’s strength to support her. She had never been one to believe in love at first sight, but now she was starting to wonder if such a thing really did exist. How else could she explain what was happening with Graham? In all her years, she hadn’t felt this safe or cared for before, not even with Angel.
For some reason, here with Graham, she felt like the world could explode around them, and he’d keep her safe from it all. He made her feel much stronger than she had felt in quite some time and that was nice. After her recent foray into the world of acting, her self-confidence had taken a beating, causing her to question everything about herself and her goals. Here in his arms, though, all of her self-doubts seemed to slip away. All right, maybe not all them, but the fact that she’d spilled the beans to Riley about Buffy’s death no longer seemed quite so awful.
She wondered what she’d do if she’d lost Graham. True, she’d only known him for last than 72 hours, but that whole love at first sight thing kept nagging at her. It didn’t matter how she packaged it, she was falling in love with him. He was so different than any other man she’d ever been attracted to. Okay, she’d dated more than her fair share of handsome men, especially since moving to L.A., but Graham was different. He had this quiet confidence about him that made his seem … what was the word…
Cordelia sighed deeply and contentedly.
“You okay?”
“Yup, just thinking about us, and Riley.” She replied, loving the way he smiled when she said the word ‘us’.
*Damn, whatever cologne he wearing is intoxicating.*
“Us and Riley. Hmm… seems like two heavy topics.”
“I wish I could go back in time and erase telling him. If Willow or Dawn had been the one to tell him, it would have been better. He has a history with them.” She studied their interlocked fingers.
“He’d still be a mess, Cordelia. You telling him has only given him time to deal with it, so by the time we reach Sunnydale…”
“Graham, it’s not that easy. I may not know Riley like you do, but I know a man in pain. And that’s not the type of pain that disappears overnight. Hell, I basically lived with Angel and his pain for the last 2 years, so take my word when I say that man’s in pain.” Cordelia pulled away from Graham so she could look him in the eye.
“So, what are you telling me?” He asked, looking from her over to Riley, who stood at the bar.
“I don’t know. Just that he’s in a lot of pain and we can’t ignore it. As much as we’d both like to cause seeing that isn’t pretty.” She answered, leaning back into the comfort his arms offered her.
“So, what your saying is that we just stay close by until he’s ready to unload himself?”
“Yeah, and if that means putting *us* on the back burner, we do.” She hated saying that to him, but Riley needed to be the top priority right now.
“You’re amazing.” Cordelia was so different from “Princess Elaine”, his ex. Elaine would have demanded that they ignore Riley’s grief, and party! It was just too bad that it had taken Graham a while to realize what a self centered person she was. It could have saved him a lot of pain if he’d only realized sooner.
<><><><>
Riley stood at the bar, waiting for the bartender to come over to take their drink order. It was easy to see why the guy at the front desk of the hotel had recommended this place to them - it was packed. Riley was watching the band set up their equipment when he heard a voice behind him.
“My name’s Nugget. What can I get you to drink?”
Riley turned to find a beautiful woman with golden hair standing behind the bar. Her smiled was blinding and the twinkle in her green eyes was captivating.
“Excuse me?” Riley stammered.
“I asked you what your ‘poison’ is, handsome.” The blonde smiled as she placed a coaster down in front of Riley on the bar.
“Oh. Um… I’ll have two Miller Genuine Drafts, a Perrier with a twist, and a scotch.” Why he ordered the scotch, he’d never really know, it just felt right.
Watching as she screwed the caps off the beers and poured Cordelia’s Perrier into a cocktail glass with some ice, Riley couldn’t help but notice how beautiful the woman was. Suddenly her eyes were locked on his and he blushed slightly at her catching him watching her. Placing the beers and Perrier on the bar in front of him, she reached behind her and pulled the bottle of Dewer’s off the shelf.
“So, you’re not from around here, are you, handsome?”
“How’d you know?” He blinked, surprised by her observant nature.
“Well, first your accent, then the fact that I’ve never seen someone as good lookin’ as you in this place before.” She smirked as she placed the drink in front of him.
“Oh.” He smiled at her compliment.
“Yes, I’m flirting with you.” She laughed before turning to walk to cash register.
“I’m not use to someone so….”
“Forward?”
“I was going to say open, it’s refreshing.” He laughed at the look that crossed her face.
“Refreshing? Hell, I don’t think anyone’s ever called me that! You definitely aren’t from around here!” This time it was her turn to blush as she watched him polish off the shot of scotch in one gulp.
“God, that’s good.” He coughed as he threw $20.00 on the bar. It had been ages since he’d anything stronger than a beer, and since he wasn’t a big drinker, it hit him hard.
“Hey Tiger, the scotch was on me. Don’t you want your change?” She asked as she watched him collect the beers and Perrier.
“Consider the change a tip then.” He smiled at her, but she noticed that the smile never really met his eyes.
“It’s too large.” She smiled back, wondering what had caused that pain in his eyes.
“Then put it aside as a tab.” He said lightly before he headed back out to the waiting room where his best friend and a beautiful brunette waited for him.
“Only if you promise to come back.” She said to herself, placing the $10.00 bill down her bra. Yes, by the end of the night she’d definitely have his name and story, or her name wasn’t Nugget.
<><><><>
“Here you go.” Riley said, handing Graham and Cordelia their respective drinks.
“Who’s the pretty blonde?” Graham asked, causing Cordelia to raise an eyebrow in question.
“What? She’s pretty.” He said when he noticed her reaction to his words. Then realizing his flaw, added “But you’re gorgeous and I mean that.”
“You two are just sickening.” Riley said in spite of himself and almost wanted to laugh. Had Buffy ever looked at him that way?
“So, who was she?” Cordelia asked, picking up Graham’s question.
“Just the bartender. Nugget I think she said her name was.” Riley answered as he sipped his beer.
“You think?” Graham laughed. Riley was almost as clueless as he was when it came to his good looks, and the effect it had on women.
“Okay, so it was.” Riley smiled, knowing Graham had caught the whole scene at the bar.
“Miller, party of three.” The hostess called.
“That’s us.” Riley said, turning toward the hostess and away from the interrogation.
*I could use another scotch!*
Following the Hostess to the table, Cordelia couldn’t help but sneak peeks at the food on the tables as they passed. She couldn’t remember when she’d had a real meal like this, it must have been her going away party in Sunnydale, before she left with the touring company. Hell, she’d almost been starving to death these past couple of months, if the truth was known.
“Ladies first.” Graham said, guiding her into the booth they were shown.
“Gray, doesn’t this place remind you of “The Lasso”?” Riley asked, picking up the menu.
“I haven’t thought of that place in years.” Graham laughed.
“Where was this?” Cordy asked, smiling at the two of them.
“Oh, it was years ago when we were in training, before our assignment in Sunnydale. The training base was in this small town in southwestern Texas, and there was only one decent bar in the area, The Lasso. We’d go there on those weekends we had 24 hours off. The place was basically locals, and a bunch of drunken Marines looking for a good time.” Graham laughed.
“So, you were looking for a good time were you?” Cordelia laughed
“Hmm… Rye do you see anything on this menu that seems good?” Graham asked, purposely ignoring Cordelia’s question. The last thing he wanted to tell her about was the nights that he, Riley, and Forrest spent at the Lasso picking up women. They were, after all, wild Marines on a furlow.
“You didn’t answer my question.” Cordelia knew exactly what he was up to, and the truth was, she didn’t really want to know what they’d done. Graham blushing was way too cute for words, though.
“Oh look, they have blooming onions.” Graham said matter-of-factly while pointing to the menu.
“You’re ignoring me, mister, and no one ignores Cordelia Chase.”
“Oh, I’m not ignoring you, you’re too hard to ignore, but I’ve chosen not to answer your question.” He said, leaning over the menus to kiss her nose.
“Stop that! I’m trying to pretend I’m angry.” She smiled into his killer blue eyes.
Riley shifted uncomfortably on his bench, hoping they’d quit their flirting soon. If he’d been sitting there with Buffy, he would have been laughing with them, but he couldn’t. It seemed the harder he tried to forget Buffy, the worse the pain got.
“So Cordelia, what are you having?” Riley asked in an attempt to bring the couple back to the real world
“I’m having the steak in mushroom and wine sauce. You?”
“The blackened 16 oz, I’m starved.” Riley answered after he’d taken another healthy swig of his beer.
“You’re both heathens.” Graham said, shaking his head in disgust.
“Heathens?” Cordelia blinked in shock at Graham’s response to her and Riley’s orders.
“It’s okay, Cordelia, he gets like this quite often.” Riley winked at her across the table.
"Meat is meant to be cooked in a manner that allows you to taste it. You are both so lacking in taste!" He cried rather offensively.
"Okay, relax cowboy. We both love steak, but we want something different for a change. See we’re still eating meat, not doing the Veggie thing." Riley said, holding up both hands in mock surrender.
"Steak should be eaten..."
"If we don't watch him, he'll be in the kitchen telling the chef how to cook it." Riley laughed.
“That’s not funny, Finn.” Graham grumbled.
"Why are you so upset by mine and Riley's choices?"
"I grew up on a cattle farm and well... I guess it just bothers me that you're not getting the full flavor of the meat." He grumbled, trying to down play his upbringing.
"Gray, I grew up on a farm, you grew up on a ranch, big difference." Riley smiled lifting his bottle to his lips.
"A ranch!" Cordelia exclaimed, turning to face Graham.
"Yes ma’am, he's an honest to god cowboy." Riley smirked again, knowing perfectly well he was going to be in sh*t with Graham later. That was a part of Graham's past he chose not to revisit.
“Hi, my name’s Sheriff, and I’ll be your waiter for tonight. Are you ready to order?” A young, pimply faced kid asked, heading off any further conversation in the direction of Graham’s past. He was more than grateful for the interruption, for he hated talking about his upbringing, and it was a thorn in his side. Hadn't his relationship with Elaine proven that?
Graham placed his order and shifted off into his own world, while Riley and Cordelia gave theirs. Riley was right; he was an honest to god cowboy, who’d grown up on a very successful ranch in Montana. Like a lot of small town boys, his dreams had lain beyond the family’s property line, past the county line even, off into the distant horizon. Graham had always dreamed of joining the Marines and seeing the world, he knew that there was more out there and that he was meant to discover it. Unfortunately for him, his father had very different plans for his oldest son. Since the ranch had been in his father’s family for over 200 years, and passed down to the oldest son, the property was meant for Graham.
Graham had tried everything to make both his father and himself happy. He’d tried to find the love his father had for the land and the cattle he raised, but it wasn’t in him. In a last ditch effort, he’d even tried bull riding and the rodeo circuit. Hoping the thrill of those 8 seconds on the bull’s back could make up for his lost dreams, but all the tour did was make him itch to travel more.
Finally at 20 years of age, Graham left home and joined the Marines. He was following his dream, but he lost the respect of his hero, his father. Walking away from the responsibility of the ranch would forever change his relationship with his father. For the first two years he was a Marine, the two men refused to speak to each other, which meant Graham spent his Christmas and Thanksgiving at the Finn’s.
It wasn’t until his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer that he returned to the ranch and his mother’s side. Somewhere during his leave, he and his father managed to find it in themselves to forgive each other. It never failed to amaze Graham how words spoke in anger could hurt more than any HST attack. That Christmas Graham spent at home eating his mother’s stuffing, grateful that she’d beaten the cancer, and that his sister Melissa had wanted to run the ranch with her fiancé Brad.
“Here you go.” Sheriff said, placing another beer down in front of Graham, pulling him from his memories.
“I didn’t order that.” He said pointing at the beer put in front of him.
“No, I did.” Riley replied, raising his bottle in toast to Graham.
“Oh.” He shrugged, before he finished off his old beer.
“Why do steak houses like this insist on playing country music?” Graham muttered, pushing his empty away.
“Just to piss you off.” Riley smirked slightly before he hauled himself out of the booth, “Be back in a minute.”
Riley needed a trip to the bathroom, and that went right pass the bar and Nugget. Smiling slightly at her, he waited for her to serve him. She was really beautiful, and the tight jeans and T-shirt she wore didn’t leave much to his imagination. He liked his women a little more refined, and covered up, he’d hated when other guys would ogle Buffy. Maybe he was a little old school, but not everyone needed to see what his girlfriend had to offer.
Nugget noticed that the handsome blonde had returned to the bar, and she moved quickly down the bar so Ranger, the other bartender, didn’t get to him first. Nugget knew if she played her cards right, she’d have his name by the time the band started playing and he’d be coming home with her at closing. Guys like this one weren’t a dime a dozen around here. Nugget knew she wasn’t the only woman in the place watching ‘handsome’, she’d seen the redhead at the end of the bar clearly eyeing him as he walked back in.
“Hey handsome, you’re back.” She smiled placing a shot glass in front of him.
“Told ya to keep the money for a tab.” He said, taking the full glass from her and throwing it back.
“Want another? Or what about a beer?” She could feel the redhead staring at them and it was driving her crazy. Nugget didn’t usually suffer from insecurities, but today they seemed a little too close to the surface. This guy just didn’t seem that interested in flirting, and well, the redhead was beautiful.
“I’ll have another shot.” He answered, sliding the glass back over the bar.
“So, do you have a name, or should I just keep calling you my handsome stranger?” She asked, turning a 100-watt smile on him.
*God she’s all teeth!*
“Um, it’s Riley.” He said, taking the full glass back from her.
“Well Riley, its certainly a pleasure to meet you.” She flipped her hair over her right shoulder.
*Did she just toss her hair at me? Oh shit! I’m in serious flirting territory here!*
“You too, Nugget.” Riley wanted to give her that ‘I’m a nice guy, but not interested in you’ smile, but he knew he was failing miserably when he saw her leaning over the bar so that her breasts almost knocked into his free hand.
Throwing back the amber liquid, he knew he needed to get back to the table before she had her tongue rammed down his throat, or worse, Graham came looking for him.
“How much do I owe you, Nugget?” Riley asked, fishing in his pocket for money.
“It’s Julie, and I have enough right here.” She replied, patting her breast where the money was safely tucked into her bra.
“But that was two shots, I must owe you something.”
“Nope, this’ll cover the first, and the second’s on me.”
“Well thank you.” He smiled as he backed away from the bar.
*She’s paid for 2 shots in an hour! I’m in trouble!*
“Don’t be a stranger, Riley.” She purred seductively, leaving no doubt in his mind as to what she was really after.
“Okay.” He answered non-commitally, not sure what else to say at that point.
“Hey darling, can a girl buy a guy a drink?” The redhead asked, stepping into Riley’s path. He was slightly startled by the husky, sexy voice; it was the type of voice that men dreamed of when they dialed one of those phone sex places.
“Um, no thank you, my meal should be ready.” He said, moving away from the attractive redhead. She was so well put together that she reminded Riley of a Super Model.
“How ‘bout an after dinner cocktail?” Her sexy voice seemed to get sexier as she spoke.
“I’ll see, but I’m not sure how long my friends will want to stay.” He was starting to panic.
*I’m suppose to be grieving and here I have half the town’s women hitting on me.*
“See ya around then.” She waved slightly and moved back to her place at the bar.
“You okay?” Graham asked as Riley slide into his place at the table.
“Yeah, sure, just fine. Why ya asking?” Riley knew he’d been gone awhile, but had it been long enough to have them notice his absence?
“Well, you look kind of flushed.” Cordelia spoke up.
“Fine, just a little embarrassed. This redhead hit on me, on my way back from the bathroom. The woman would not take ‘no’ for answer, so if you see her heading this way, warn me.” Riley covered quickly, knowing that the flush in his cheeks was really from the scotch.
“I ordered another round while you were in the bathroom, that fine with you?” Graham asked, watching Riley chug back his warm beer.
“Sure, fine with me. Oh good, here comes the food.” Riley said, seeing the waiter coming to the table with their dinner.
The rest of the meal was uneventful, with another round and a glass of red wine for Cordelia brought to the table. She told them crazy stories about working with an ex-watcher and a vampire that even had Riley laughing. He should have known that Angel wasn’t always ‘Mr. Billowy Coat, King of Pain’ or Buffy wouldn’t have fallen for him.
*Buffy.*
“Would you folks care for coffee and desert?” The waiter asked, clearing the table.
“None for me I’m stuffed. But another glass of Perrier would be fine.” She snuggled into Graham’s side as the table was cleared.
“Another beer, Rye?” Graham asked, loving the way the tip of Cordelia’s ponytail would occasionally tickle his arm when she moved.
“Sure, if you’re having another one.” Riley answered; noticing the bar was quickly filling up now that the dinner hour was coming to a close.
“This place sure picks up fast.” Riley commented, turning back to the waiter.
“Packed on the weekends. The bands that they have play here are great, that’s if you like country music and dancing.”
“Oh, I haven’t been out dancing since I left L.A.” Cordelia sighed “Do either of you dance?”
“I have two left feet if it’s anything more than slow dancing, but Gray, now he’s a dancer.” Riley smiled, toasting Graham.
“Really?” Cordelia turned to face the man sitting next to her.
“He’s great. See Graham was so shy in the early days that he figured he’s score more girls if he could do the two-step. He didn’t have to talk to them much that way.” Riley smiled back at a scowling Graham.
“You’re an asshole.” Graham growled.
“Did your plan work?” Cordelia couldn’t believe that women wouldn’t be tripping over themselves to get near Graham, he was so gorgeous. Okay, maybe he could be a little on the quiet side, but that was nice after having to listen to Wesley and Gunn all the time.
“Most popular guy in the bar when we were there.” Riley took another sip of his beer and move to stand up again.
“Why don’t you show her yourself?” Riley asked. “I’ve got to make another trip to the men’s room.”
“Do you wanna dance?” Graham asked, wanting nothing better than to knock Riley clear into next week. Maybe with all the lack of sleep in the last few nights, the beers were hitting Riley harder than usually.
“I’d love to.” She smiled; placing her hand in Graham’s so he could pull her out of the booth and onto the dance floor.
“Have you even two-stepped?”
“I’m from L.A., Graham, or have you forgotten?”
“Okay, just let me lead and you follow, okay? We’ll start off simple.” He said, wrapping his arm over her shoulder.
“Hey, I wasn’t a senior varsity squad cheerleader for nothing. Show me once and I’ll nail it.”
“Oh, so by the time we leave here, you’ll be spinning circles around me?” He laughed at her obvious confidence.
“Better watch out, cowboy, I’ll be leaving you in my dust.”
Riley entered the bar area and moved in to wait for service. Looking around, he noticed that Nugget was missing and he assumed that maybe she was on her break.
“What’ll it be?” The bartender asked.
“Scotch.”
“Make that two scotches.” A husky voice answered from behind him.
“Hey again.” Riley smiled uncomfortably at the woman, who stood so close to him that he could feel her breasts pressed against his back.
“Thought you’d forgotten about our nightcap.” She smiled as she reached out to place a hand on his shoulder.
“No, I didn’t, but I can’t be long, my friends will be waiting.” He stammered.
*Okay this is not a good place to be. I’m grieving, drunk, and a sexy woman is hanging all over me. Nope, not a good place to be. Where’s Nugget?*
“Wanna dance?” She asked, her fingers now running down his back, so that her nails sent tingles down his spine.
“Sorry mamma, I don’t dance.” He replied shrugging as he took the drinks form the bartender.
“Put them on my bill, Ranger.” The woman growled playfully at the bartender.
“You’re a bad one, Clarisse” Ranger snorted at the woman, before disappearing to serve the next patron.
“So, you don’t dance. What am I going to do with you?” She whispered into his ear so that he could feel her warm breath against his neck.
Closing his eyes, Riley enjoyed the warmth and daringness of her touch. He knew that he was both quite drunk and highly aroused by this sexy woman.
*Buffy, I’m mourning Buffy*
“Sure, you can’t stumble around to a slow song? This is one of my favorites.” Now her hand was cupping his ass.
“Sorry, I can’t. In mourning here.” He replied, nodding his head to show he was serious.
“You’ve got to be kidding?”
“Yeah my girlfriend died a few days ago, so I’m just getting drunk.” He moved away from her roaming hands. Okay, true that Buffy had died a couple of months ago, but he figured she and God would forgive him for this little lie.
“Well, let me buy you a second one then. Think of me as the wake organizer.” She said, reaching for him again.
“Look, I have to be getting back to my friends.”
“Finish your drink first.” She batted her eyelashes at him.
“Sure, okay.” Riley knew it would be rude not to, but he needed to get away from this woman. Throwing the drink back, he swallowed it in one gulp.
“Thanks again.” He said, pushing by her.
“Oh, he’s perfect.” She laughed rubbing her hands together.
<><><><><>
Climbing back into the empty booth, Riley reached for his untouched beer and drained it in three long pulls. Signaling to the waiter, he ordered another, and leaned back into the booth, closing his eyes. Man that had been strange back there, how did she know how sensitive his neck was to a woman’s touch? Buffy had picked that up early in their relationship and used it against him whenever she got a chance.
*Buffy* He could see her smiling face in his mind’s eye.
Opening his eyes, he searched the dance floor for Cordelia and Graham, and spotted them laughing at something. They did seem like a good match. Like he and Buffy should have been. The waiter approached the table and placed a cold beer in front of Riley
Picking up his beer, he leaned his head back against the seat and listen to the band. The waiter was right, they were good. Hearing the opening bars of the next slow song, he realized it was by Diamond Rio, but couldn’t recall the name of the song. Relaxing, he let the music wash over him, hearing the words for the first time.
Last night I had a crazy dream
A wish was granted just for me
It could be for anything
I didn't ask for money
Or a mansion in Malibu
I simply wished for one more day with you
Riley’s eyes flew open, was this song talking about him? Was this Graham’s way of getting even with him for all the cowboy cracks all night? Damn it! He was drunk, Graham would never hold this against him. Quickly, he scanned the crowd again, finding Graham holding Cordelia tightly against him. He knew the last thing on Graham’s mind right now was getting even with him.
One more day, one more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again, I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still for one more day with you
One more day…
Was this someone’s sick joke? Maybe the redhead he’d just shot down or maybe Nugget? The song spoke to Riley, almost as if he’d written it himself. Last night, sitting by himself driving down the interstate, Riley had basically asked God for the same thing, one more day with Buffy. A chance to tell her how sorry he was for the pain he’d caused her, and maybe a chance to have her as his again.
First thing I'd do is pray for time to crawl
I'd unplug the telephone and keep the t.v off
I'd hold you every second
Say a million I love you's
That's what I'd do with one more day with you
The room seemed to spin, as the song went on. All of Riley’s deepest thoughts on display for the whole bar to see and not one of them noticed. Why couldn’t he have told her again how much he loved her? Instead, their last night together had been full of angry words and pain. That was not how he wanted to remember their last day together. No, he wanted one more day.
One more day, one more time
One more sunset maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still for one more day with you
The walls were starting to close in on him and he needed air. Looking frantically for Graham, he tried to get his attention, but couldn’t. He knew that Gray would know that Riley had headed back to the hotel, so he took off almost at a run.
One more day, one more time
One more sunset maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still for one more day
Leave me wishing still for one more day
Leave me wishing still for one more day with you.
He ran out the door, almost stumbling, but the bouncer caught him before he could fall.
“Sir, you alright? Want me to call you a cab?” The bouncer was use to seeing drunks, but there was something about this guy that made him think there was much more to him than a typical drunken customer. There was this pain that seemed to radiate from him and touch all those around him.
“No, I’m fine, just need some air.” Riley mumbled as he made his way around to the side of building and into the alley. He pressed his face against the cool brick of the building hoping to calm down.
*That song!*
It held so many feelings and thoughts so closely mirroring his own that it felt like an invasion of his privacy. Someone was poking around in his pain, bringing it to the surface, stirring it up, making it painful.
“Oh, there you are.” Came the throaty voice from behind him. She turned his body around in one quick move. Riley found himself pressed against the wall with her lips violently attacking his and her hand moving to unzip his jeans.
"Hey, whoa! Back off!” He exclaimed as he broke the kiss.
“Oh, I like a fighter, makes it more interesting.” She purred, as she shoved his hand away from hers that was worming it’s way inside his boxers.
“Look honey, I'm drunk. If you want a really good time, maybe you should try one of the guys inside." He squirmed in an attempt to get away from her questing lips.
"Oh, but you’re so sexy." She replied as she started to nibble his neck.
Riley felt her teeth against his neck, and he violently shoved her away. No, he'd already been down that road, and being a walking buffet for vamps wasn't his poison anymore.
"What did you do that for, sexy?" She purred before she shifted from the sexy redhead with the equally sexy voice to an 8-foot tall, scaly black and blue demon.
"Oh, shit." Riley mumbled as his knees buckled.
"I only wanna to eat ya." She replied before she lurched at him and attacked.
"Graham!" Riley screamed. Why had he been so foolish to risk leaving a bar in a strange town by himself when he was drunk! Stumbling against the wall Riley tried to make to the alley's opening.
Inside, Graham and Cordelia danced to the last strains of the Diamond Rio song. She was carefully tucked under his chin as they danced, her arms wrapped around his neck. Slowly, she moved her head away from his chest so she could lock eyes with him. What she saw there startled her. The passion and desire in his gray-blue depths was unmistakable.
“Thought we were going to slow things down, worry about Riley?” He whispered as her lips hovered inches from his.
“I know, but I can’t help myself. The look in your eyes…” her voice drifter off as his hand started caressing her back, sending shivers down her spine.
“You mean the same look I see in yours right now?” He smiled before he leaned down to capture her lips in a scorching kiss that left them both in need of each other’s support due to weak knees.
Pulling back, Graham opened his mouth to say something when Cordelia let out an earth-shattering scream and collapsed against him in obvious pain. Clutching her head in her hands with her eyes clenched tightly shut, imagines of Riley and the black scaly monster flashed through her head. She could feel not only Riley’s horror and fear, but also his overwhelming grief.
“Cordelia, what’s happening?” Graham croaked out. She was in such pain and he didn’t know what to do. People around them had stopped dancing and stood watching them.
“Call 911!” Graham screamed in sheer panic. What the hell was he supposed to do?
“Riley… in trouble… outside in the alley… black scaly monster after him.” She breathed out through the pain that held her in its grip. Smashing her fist against the floor, she rode out the pain and images.
“Go… help him … now… killing him.” She almost screamed out as the pain gripped her again.
“Cordelia?” Graham looked at her and handed the care of her to two older women who’d rushed forward to help when Cordelia collapsed.
“You go, son, we’ll watch your girlfriend. Go.” The older of the two women ordered.
Frantically looking around, he tried to find Riley in the crowd, but there was no sign of his tall blonde form in the bar. First he had Cordelia to worry about, and now Riley?
*Oh shit! Vamps!* He thought as he remembered Riley’s former addiction to the bite of a vampire. Could the stress and strain of his grief have pushed him over the edge again?
Graham rushed through the crowd, pushing and elbowing his way through the unmoving bodies. Reaching the door, he looked at the bouncer.
“Did you see a tall blonde-haired guy…”
“Drunk and really upset?”
“That’s him!”
“Left about 5 minutes ago, went that way.” He pointed toward the alley. “Some redhead followed him.”
“Call 911!” Graham said, pulling his taser out of his back pocket. Riley always laughed at Graham’s insistence at carrying their new scaled-down model, but one never knew when they’d need it.
Rounding the corner, he heard Riley scream his name.
"Riley!" How Cordelia knew Riley was in trouble puzzled him, but seeing her lying in the middle of dance floor like that holding her head scared him to death. She'd insisted that he leave her, telling him she'd be fine, but it still tore at him. The love of his life was lying in excruciating pain on the floor of some seedy bar.
"Grey, I'm in the alley!" Riley yelled, now bleeding profusely from a deep cut on his stomach. Dropping to his knees, he tried with one hand to stem the bleeding while using his free hand to crawl toward the entrance of the alley. The big, ugly demon just stood behind him, smiling malevolently.
"You can't get away that easily, baby." She took one final lunge at Riley with her razor-sharp claws extended.
"I'm gonna die." He whispered to himself before he blacked out.
The story continues in "I Will Survive."
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