Fanfiction

Issues

angelusslayer

When Angel reached his apartment he found Buffy waiting for him.

"Not now Buffy, I don't have time for this." His tone was cold and angry. Buffy was taken aback.
"Look, Angel. I know you're angry. We were a little hard on her....."
"A little? Dammit Buffy! You called her a monster and kicked her out! You have no idea the kind of damage you caused! You think Drusilla is crazy? Well, right now Callie could beat her in that department. And all thanks to you, Xander, Cordielia and Giles."
"We did that to her? God Angel, I'm sorry. We never meant to. Is there anything we can to do help, to make up for it?"
"You want to help? Stay the hell away from us until we say other wise. And when we finally let Callie talk to you, know this: hurt her again and I'll ripped your throat out."

With that Angel closed the door to his apartment, leaving a shocked Buffy standing looking at the closed door.

Back at the warehouse, Callie slowly began to wake. She stretched and slowly sat up. She examined the room she was in, disoriented. "Spike? Are you there?"

At her call Spike hastily made his way to the bedroom and opened the door. "Here love. Are you feeling better pet?"
"I don't know. I'm just kinda numb, I guess."
"Well, that's no good love, you can't lock away your emotions. It's not healthy."
"I just can't believe that they talked to me like that. That they wouldn't let me explain. That they *kicked* me out!"
"Look, Callie. It's harder on you cause aside from the Master, you're used to being treated like a princess, with respect and love. And when someone treats you that poorly, it's a big shock."
"But, Spike I *bit* someone. I-I let it take control."
"Callie. You were upset. It's harder to control the demon when your emotions are that out of control. When you're so confused. But that's what you have Angel for. He'll get you through this." Spike stood up, pulling her to her feet with him. "Why don't you freshen up and when Angel gets back we'll go out?"
"Sounds great Spike. I need to get some fresh air."

Back at Angels' an angry, but repentant Slayer paced outside his door. "Come on Angel! Let me in. Let me talk to Callie."

She expectant silence as his reply so she was startled when the door opened. But instead of asking her in, Angel came out, carrying three bags, and locked the door behind him.

"Angel? What are the bags for?" Buffy asked frightened. If he was leaving her again....she didn't know if she could take it.

"I'm staying with Callie, at Spikes' until she's better."
"But why all the luggage? I mean you didn't have anything when you came in. And it's not like you to need so much stuff."
"It's not all mine. Some of it's Callies." Normally Angel would have hated breaking this to her, but now he sort of enjoyed. it. (No one had told Buffy that Angel and Callie were living together.)

"But how did you get her stuff.....unless......" Buffy trailed off as realization dawned.
"You're living together! That tramp sure didn't waste anytime!" All of her good intentions disappeared as heart break set in.

"She's not a tramp!" Angel went game face, "You've caused enough pain, because you don't think before you speak. Actually, you know what? You don't think at all. You're nothing but a self centered brat. Now get out of my way."
"No, Angel you used to love me. What happened to that? How could you talk to me like this? Sticking up for a *vampire* over me!"
" 'Used to' being the key words here. Whatever we had was completely destroyed when you hurt Callista. She's always come first and always will come first. And if anyone hurts her, then they hurt me. Now, she needs me, so I'll be going." Angel pushed past her and out of the building.

When Angel returned to the factory, it was shortly after 9:00 and Callie was sitting on the couch, leaning on Spike. She looked up sensing his presence. "Angel, did you bring me some clothes?"
"Right here."
"Good, cause we're going out. To the Bronze preferably."
"Out? Callie are you sure?"
"Yeah, I just need to get out for a while, have some fun."
"Okay, go change and we'll go."

Callie went to the bedroom and rummaged through the bags of clothes. Angel had brought everything she could possibly need. She chose, a long black skirt and a sleek silk white top. She rarely dressed up, but she wasn't exactly feeling like herself either. The skirt was perfect, it didn't constrict her movements, she could fight easily in it if she had to. She pulled her hair up, something else she rarely did, into a half-pony tail. The sides of her hair were left loose so that they gracefully framed her face. She chose a cross from the jewelry, grabbed her leather jacket and headed out to the 'living room'.

When Spike, Angel, Oz and Willow saw her they all rose to their feet.

"Callie," Angel stammered, "You look great!"
"Love, you look like a princess." Spike agreed.
Oz kept his mouth shut for fear of hurting Willows' feelings but nodded in agreement.
She smiled warmly, "Thanks. Are you ready to go, Angel?"
"As soon as you are."
"Let me get the rest of my accessories and we can go."

She went the the third bag and pulled out an oak jewelry box. Inside were small, but extremely sharp daggers. She choose one of the smallest and stuck it through the half pony-tail on top of her head. With a few adjustments it looked like nothing more than a hair clip.

She again returned to the bag, and pulled out two sheaths. She put her small foot on a nearby table and pulled her skirt up to thigh level. She strapped the sheath into place and placed a dagger inside. She did the same to her other leg.

She then grabbed her jacket and turned it inside-out. In the sleeves were two more sheaths and she placed one dagger in each sleeve.

When she turned to her friends, Oz and Willow were still watching, opened mouthed, in amazement. "Well," Callie said calmly, "are you ready to go?"

They walked to the Bronze, Callie flanked protectively on either side by Spike and Angel. Drusilla, Oz and Willow followed closely behind. Ironic how they all protected Callie, but she was the one most ready for a fight.

She was just *itching* for a fight. She wanted to take out all her anger, pain, and frustration on something. Anything. Unfortunately they made it to the Bronze without incident, and when they got inside Angel took her hand and pulled her to the dance floor. His strong arms went around her and she rested her head on his chest. He held her tightly, rocking them gently to the music.

They danced silently for a while, Callista was drawing strength from his support and love. Angel on the other hand, just wanted to make her pain go away.

After a while Angel pulled away slightly and looked deep into her eyes. He could feel that she was far from being all right. He sensed her pain, the sadness, the sense of betrayal. But only when he looked in her eyes could he see the full extent of the pain she felt.

"Angel, is something wrong? You look worried." She could feel his muscles tense as he looked into her eyes and she could see the worry reflected in his.

"I *am* worried. About you." Angel pulled her closer and pushed her hair from her eyes. "Tell me, how are you really?"

She looked into his eyes and was tempted to lie, she didn't want to worry him, but then she saw it would be impossible to make him believe that she was fine.

"I'm lousy, Angel. I hurt worse than I've ever hurt before. I thought I had finally found a normal life. I go to school, hang out with kids, and I thought I had human friends. But I was wrong." The last came a whisper, and Angel could hear her voice crack even before he saw the single tear slide down her cheek.

He wiped the tear away with his finger and hugged her tightly. When the song ended he led her over to one of the nearby tables. He held out her seat for her, then took the one beside it. After a moment, Spike, Drusilla, Oz and Willow joined them and things slowly relaxed. They were laughing over something Spike had said when Callie's body went rigid. Angel followed her gaze. He saw Buffy, Xander, and Cordielia coming through the door. "Callie, do you want to go?"

"No, Angel. I'm here to have fun and they're not going to ruin it." She then steered them back to the previous conversation.

After a day, of anger, repentance, and shock, the three slayerettes decided to go to the Bronze to try to relax. But when Buffy walked in, she knew it wasn't going to happen. Angel was there. She knew without seeing him. She knew him by instinct. And then she saw him, Callie, Spike, Drusilla, and the two other slayerettes sitting together at a table. Laughing of all things. She grabbed Xander's arm and nodded in the direction of the table.

When Xander saw Willow, sitting with Spike and Drusilla, he was furious. *She sells the rest of the slayerettes out for vampires.* He stalked in the direction of the table. Cordy grabbed his arm trying to stop him from causing a scene, but he just dragged her along.

When he reached the table, Callie looked up startled, she could sense his anger.
"Hello, Xander."
"Hello vampire. What's up Willow? Are you a newbie in the vampires-wannabe club? I mean, it's not bad enough that your boyfriend is a werewolf. God, Willow, you just achieved turn coat of the month."

Oz saw the tears in Willow's eyes at the same time at everyone else. Soon Xander had 3 vampires, one of which had a soul, one half-vampire, and one werewolf, on their feet ready to kick his butt.

Callie took a deep breath and scanned the crowd around her. This was *so* not the place for this. "Xander, you know what? We're leaving. you can go back to your meaningless little life now." With that she grabbed her coat and turned to leave.

Now, you would think that Xander would let it go at that. But no. He grabbed Callista's arm and jerked her back so hard that she lost her balance and fell. Angel was about to kick his head in when one of the boys from school jumped in between Callie and Xander.
"Is there a problem, Callie?"
"No, Josh. I can handle it." She stood up and brushed herself off. "Xander you know what, this isn't the place for this. Lets go discuss this outside."

She angrily led the way outside and turned to face off with Xander.

"Well, go on Xander. Say what you want to say. What are you going to go pick on some orphans now?"
"Look, Callie, I'm not the one who almost sold out a friend for a vampire. I think you owe me an apology."
"I know that Angel told you about Alex. I wouldn't have let him hurt you. I just don't wanna be the one who kills him. But I would have if it had been necessary."
"Hey, I don't have to put up with your exes. It not my problem if you slept around."

Callies eyes went wide in shock. That kind of slander brought forth an instinct of days long ago, when she was still mortal. A normal girl then would have slapped him. And slap him she did. But with her vampire strength it sent him flying through the air and into the wall.

To Buffys' horror, instinct kicked in and she found herself standing between Xander and Callie, stake in hand. Callista, herself, hesitated for a split second before her own instincts kicked in and with a flick of her wrists, the daggers came out of their sheaths in her sleeves and into her hands. Thankfully, before the situation could get any further out of hand, Giles followed by Whistler jumped between the two girls

"Buffy! What's the matter with you!" Giles stood glaring at the Slayer.

In turn Whistler grabbed Callie by the shoulders and shook her. "What's gotten into you! All of you! You're supposed to be friends."

Callie pulled away before he turned her brain into a milkshake and replied angrily, "You're right! They're supposed to be my friends! But they turned their backs on me. Xander basically called me a whor and Buffy attacked me!"

"I'm terribly afraid that she's right, at least about us turning our backs on her. Well, except for Willow and Oz," He added at glare from Willow. He turned to Callie. "and Callista, I want to be the first to apologize. Buffy and Xander have the ignorance of youth on their side, but I should have known better. Xander blew the situation way out of proportion and I didn't think clearly. C-Can you forgive me?"

Callie turned away and looked to Angel for support. He came forward and pulled her in for a hug. After a moment, he released her, but kept hold of her hand.

Giles waited. He knew that if she chose not to accept his apology, he would not only loose the support of Callie and Angel, but probably that of Willow and Oz as well.

"Giles......you kicked me out. That's something I thought you would never do. I thought that was one place I would always be welcome and safe."

"And I took that away from you. I can't say how sorry I am. Because I truly am sorry."

She smiled. "I know you are Giles. I forgive you. I don't want to loose your friendship." Tears began to stream down her face. "I'm sorry if I disappointed you. I didn't mean to. I...."

Giles came closer and held her as she sobbed.

Buffy and Cordielia stood with their heads bowed. They finally saw how much they had hurt her. She hadn't deserved it. Once upon a time she had loved Alex and part of her probably loved him still. If they had given her a chance she could have explained. But they had jumped to conclusions.

Cordy spurred herself into motion first. "Oh God. Callie, I'm so, *so* sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you like that." She joined the hug and Angel and Spike looked on in shock. They couldn't believe she was being so caring. Cordy really had changed for the better.

After a moment Buffy too joined in the embrace. But Xander stayed stubbornly silent and still.

After the others had parted Callista turned to Xander hoping for at least forgiveness and at most an apology. But he showed signs of neither. She moved towards him with one hand out hoping that he would take it. He did take it, but only long enough to hold her still so that he could back hand her. "That's for hitting me earlier."

Angel and Spike immediately moved to beat Xander to a bloody pulp, but Callie stopped them with an upraised hand. She waited silently for Xander to speak. It might take time but everything was going to get better.

He took a deep breath and continued. "Callie, look I probably made too big a deal out of this but.....I can't overlook the fact that you let him go no matter who he used to be. You never even told us that your old boyfriend had been vamped. Why not?"

"Look, Xander I....."
"I hate to interupt, but why don't we head to the library. That way we can speak freely without the...um.....rabble overhearing." Giles suggested.

Xander and Callie looked at each other guardedly and nodded. Angel came forward and put his arm around her shoulders. She leaned into him gratefully. As they began to walk towards the school, Angel fell back behind the others. He turned Callie to face him and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Callie, are you sure you wanna do this? We don't have to go if you don't want to."
"Angel, these are our friends. I know you want to keep me from getting hurt again but I don't think that they're gonna do that. And with you beside me, I know I can face anything. I love you, Angel."
"I love you too." He bent and kissed her slowly, passionately. When he pulled away, looked into her eyes. "Come on. We'd better catch up." He took her hand and they hurried down the street.

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