Disclaimer:
It’s not mine… Well, the story is, but the characters aren’t…Author’s Notes: Just thought I’d let ya know before I confuse you… In my world, Connor never trapped Angel at the bottom of the ocean, and he and Cordy are together. (I’m a huge Angel/Cordy shipper… Not to mention Wes/Fred, but that really has no relevance here whatsoever…)
Distribution: If ya want it, take it, just give me credit… And, if ya could, let me know where it’s going.
Feedback: You can send it to brock3005@aol.com or otownfan1520@yahoo.com.
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Chapter 20:
“Finally!” Buffy exclaimed as she slammed the door shut behind the last of Dawn’s friends and leaned back against it with mock exhaustion. It was nearly eight o’clock at night, and they’d all been there since they’d gotten out of school… Which, in Buffy’s opinion was far too early. Half day or not.
“Oh, come on.” Dawn complained with a dramatic roll of her eyes, from her place on the steps. “It wasn’t all that bad. We got the project done.”
“Yeah… While every teenager in the room ogled my boyfriend.”
“Get used to it. He’s a hottie.” Dawn shrugged; grinning at the scowl her sister shot her way. “Where’d he go anyway?”
“Shower…” Buffy gestured toward the stairs. “I think he was just tryin’ to get outta the room for more than a cigarette break. I’m pretty sure they were drivin’ him crazy, too.”
“Alright, I guess they were a little annoying.”
Buffy laughed. “A little?”
“Oh, shut up…” Dawn rolled her eyes again. “You patrollin’ tonight?”
“Nah…” Buffy shook her head. It had been weeks since she’d seen a real threat tread through Sunnydale. Really, at the moment, they had far more pressing matters… And she wanted to spend some quality time with Spike before they had to go running back to the Magick Box. Then, there was also the matter of patching things up with Xander. Earlier that day, Willow had called and informed her of Xander’s ranting, and the heated conversation they’d had. Afterwards, according to Willow, they’d had a quiet, calm talk, and she had gotten the distinct feeling she was getting through to him… Whether he was willing to admit it or not. “I think I’m gonna go over to see Xander… Talk to him a little. Maybe we can start to work things out…”
“Alright… Ya gonna take Spike with ya?” Dawn asked curiously.
“I don’t really think that’s the best idea. Xander’s mad enough as it is. Can you tell him when he gets outta the shower?”
“Tell me what?” Spike questioned as he wandered down the stairs; shirtless and freshly showered.
“I’m gonna go talk to Xander… I’ll be back soon.” Buffy explained, before giving him a quick kiss goodbye. “Love you.”
“Love you, too, Pet.” Spike smiled down at her as he wrapped her in his arms and brought his lips to hers for one final kiss before allowing her to slip from his grasp.
Reluctantly, Buffy grabbed her jacket and purse, before leaving the house to find Xander… She just hoped it wouldn’t take long to get him to listen to her. She had better things to do than argue with him all night…
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For a moment, Buffy just stood outside Xander’s door; unsure of herself. Would he even want to talk to her? At this point, it was highly unlikely… Maybe she should just wait awhile. Give him time to cool down. But, when she was honest with herself, she knew he was a valuable member of the team in their current crisis, and she really needed him on her side… So she knocked.
After a moment, Xander pulled open the door; fully expecting to see her there on the other side. Still, though, he wasn’t exactly sure whether or not he was ready to talk to her. She was one of his closest friends, and he loved her, but he also felt that she was putting them all in danger by choosing Spike. Soul or no soul, Xander didn’t trust him… And, most probably would never be able to. But at the same time, everything Willow had said to him earlier had made perfect sense. And, as much as he had tried to ignore it, Buffy really had looked truly happy when they had been together at the Magick Box the night before. It had been a long time since he’s seen Buffy that happy. In fact, he wasn’t even sure he ever had.
“Can I come in?” Buffy asked quietly, her eyes cast to the ground. She really wasn’t sure how she was supposed to deal with this. Without saying a word, Xander moved to the side, waving her in. When she smiled a small thanks to him, she glanced up at him, and all she could see written across his features was a cold, unfeeling stare. That hurt more than she wanted to admit. “Look… Xander…” she started, once he had shut the door behind them. “I’m sorry about last night. I didn’t mean to come off that way.”
“Yeah, well, ya did.” His voice was full of anger.
She let out a small, bitter laugh and turned to look him straight in the eye. “You didn’t help matters any. I was just trying…”
“What the hell was I supposed to do then, Buffy?!” he cut in. “This is Spike, damnit! He’s no good for you! He’s no good for any of us!”
“But he is good for me!” She was shouting right back, and there were tears in her eyes; her words choked slightly with those tears. “He is! I get why you don’t understand that, and I get why you don’t like him, but this isn’t about you, Xander! This time it’s about me. Me and Spike. I need him. How can you not understand that?”
“Because he’s Spike!”
“And exactly how conventional have your past relationships been?! So I’m in love with Spike… So he’s a vampire… Who the hell cares?! I’m the Slayer!”
“Oh, and that’s supposed to make me believe that the whole thing’s okay?! How does that situation help to prove your argument?!”
“Don’t you get it?” Her voice still held anger, but she had quieted slightly to the point that she wasn’t screaming. When he shook his head, she sighed; her hands moving to massage her temples for a moment. Then, after taking a deep breath, she continued, “He’s my perfect match... In every way. And that’s all because he’s a vampire.”
“What?” Even Xander was calm now, thought he was more confused than ever; which was clearly reflected in his tone.
She nodded slightly as she found herself a seat on the couch. “I know this is hard to comprehend… That a vampire could be the perfect match for a Slayer, but it’s true. For example, strength is a big one… I don’t have to pretend with him. I don’t have to hold back because I’m afraid of hurting him. I know he can take whatever I’ve got. And, he’s a great sparring partner. If I feel the need to beat on him a little, he’s not gonna object… To be completely honest with you, I’m pretty sure he likes it…” At Xander’s disgusted look, she quickly changed the subject. “But that’s kinda off topic… Look, all I’m saying is that I love him, and I trust him. You don’t have to like him. You don’t have to like the idea of us… All I’m asking is that you accept it. Just trust me… Please.”
After a moment of deep thought, Xander relented and nodded. “Okay…”
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::Los Angeles::
“Angel, we need to talk.”
“It’s gonna have to wait, Cordy…” he told her as he flipped through files and papers in the office. “We’ve gotta a lot of work here… Got a case. Some kind of fungus demon. I’m on my way out now.” He flipped the folder closed and moved to pick up his a few of the weapons he had gathered earlier.
“Send Gunn.” Cordelia ordered firmly. They had a problem… A big problem. And he definitely needed to hear this.
“Can’t… He’s out…” Angel grabbed his coat as he moved toward her; intent on leaving as soon as possible. After kissing her quickly, he brushed past her and was almost out the door by the time her words made it to him.
“It’s Buffy… She’s in trouble.”
Sighing, Angel turned back to her; eyes questioning. “How do you know?”
“Vision.” she answered simply. “And you’re not gonna like what you hear…”
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