TITLE: Heaven can wait.
Sequel to * I want my life to be with you*
AUTHOR: Kim
E-MAIL: kim.harmel@ntlworld.com.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own them, I don't want them, they make me cry
too much. Joss and his people do the owning thing
SPOILERS: Everything up to the end of S4/S1
TIMELINE: Set in the distant future
FEEDBACK: Please.
RATING: PG
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Set right after * I want my life to be with you* After a dreadful car crash, Buffy is called to heaven. You really should read the first story. But if not, Angel's human and Buffy's dead.
HEAVEN CAN WAIT....
Sequel to *I want my life to be with you.*
Part one.
Buffy Summers felt as if she was flying. A soft warm glow wrapped her
protectively in its embrace and drew her essence up into its light. She
watched in wonder as the scene below gradually faded from view. There was no longer any pain, no fear and strangely no regret as her soul left its mortal body far behind. Buffy was free. As her sprit soared higher she realised for the first time in her short chaotic life she was truly free.
And that's when it hit her. **Angel.**
****
Buffy found herself at the bottom of what seemed like a never-ending
staircase. She raised her eyes and watched in awe at how the stairs rose and then disappeared into a haze of fluffy golden clouds. Everything seemed to be the same colour here; everything was bathed in a warm golden glow. It had to be the most beautiful place Buffy had ever seen. She hesitantly lifted her small foot and placed it on the bottom step, without another thought she moved her body forward and started to ascend.
The stairway seemed to stretch up into infinity. As it silently rose higher Buffy was filled with a complete sense of tranquillity. No longer was she the slayer, a daughter, a wife, or a potential mother. She was simply a soul being called home.
On reaching the summit the clouds seemed to part on their own accord, Buffy took a long deep breath before walking towards the famous pearly gates.
The magnificent ornamental gateway seemed to sparkle in the soft celestial light; a gentle mist swirled around the base twisting its coolness around Buffy's ankles. Buffy reached out timidly and rested her hand against the structure. She had expected to feel cool metal beneath her fingertips but the gate was warm, it almost felt alive. It was just like touching a live cable; it almost hummed with cosmic energy.
Buffy reached up on her tiptoes and peered through the bars of the gate, hoping to get a clearer picture of where she was. All she could make out was a plain white desk immediately situated behind the gate and then more swirling clouds. Failing to find a handle, Buffy tried to push the gate open.
Her soft chuckle of disbelief rippled through the air.
" It's locked?" Buffy shook the gates slightly harder but they still
wouldn't move. Not knowing what else to do, the ex slayer slid down and sat cross-legged on the floor.
** I'll just wait here until I wake up** she told herself as she watched
the top step on the stairway continue to roll over and disappear into the mist.
So lost in the hypnotising motion of the stairs the sound of a voice
startled her
" Hello there, I'm so sorry, I wasn't expecting a newcomer. I hope you
haven't been waiting too long"
Buffy jumped to her feet and span around.
A smart middle aged man in a dark suit smiled at her from the other side of the gates. They slowly parted and after a moments hesitation Buffy walked forward.
" Right, and who do we have here?" he asked opening a large book in front of him. When he heard no rely he looked up and smiled at the pretty young woman with waist length blonde hair. Understanding that she was still slightly disorientated he asked the question again.
" And your name was?"
** Name was? okay**
" Buffy Anne Summers" Buffy spoke quietly trying to find her maiden name on the large page. It seemed strange leaving off the O'Connelly part that she had inherited on marrying Angel. But the guy had definitely stated *was* and not *is*
" Let's see. Saunders, Stevens, Summers. There we are, Betty Anne Summers age ninety-three from Kentucky. " He raised his eyes slowly from the page and studied the petite girl in front of him again.
" You don't look ninety three."
"Maybe that's because I'm not Betty Anne Summers, I'm Buffy, that's
B_U_F_F_Y."
Buffy slowly folded her arms across her chest and watched as the man scanned the list of names again, as he neared the bottom of the list he shook his head.
" I'm sorry but you're not on my list, are you sure you're supposed to be here?
Buffy rolled her eyes and struggled to remain calm, the tranquillity she
had been feeling earlier was beginning to fade.
" I didn't really have much say in the matter; one moment I'm driving
through the rain and the next, this idiot..... Damn my jeep was in a mess. Did anybody get that guys number? " Tranquillity was now totally gone as memories of the accident returned.
" If I get my hands on the son of a b...." Buffy took a calming breath and realised that raving about the accident was a waste of energy, what was done was done.
" Hey! Look. If it's all the same to you I'm quiet happy to go back home, I'll leave you to sort out the confusion. Say hi to Betty for me when she gets here" Buffy turned on her heal and started towards the golden stairway
.
" Just think, it will save you all that trouble calling a new slayer."
" Slayer! Why didn't you say that in the first place?"
Buffy turned back.
" You didn't ask" she replied suspiciously.
The smartly dressed man appeared slightly flustered.
" It makes perfect sense now; of course you wouldn't be on this list. A
slayer is.. Well you would be on the VIP list that's for sure.. A slayer,
I'm so honoured." He blushed furiously then continued, holding out his
hand.
"I'm the Archangel Jordan, just call me Jordan" he smiled and waited for the girl to accept his gesture.
Buffy looked at the out stretched hand and reluctantly shook it.
Jordan dipped out of sight only to reappear with a small jewel encrusted book. The initials VIP sparkled on the front cover. Jordan carefully opened the book at the most resent entry
" I'm so sorry I didn't recognise you, we haven't had a slayer for quiet a
while now. I really should have been better prepared for such an important arrival."
The archangel silently promised that somebody would be taken to task over such sloppy preparations. A slayer should have received an escort at the very least.
Buffy seemed lost in thought for a moment.
" Kendra" her expression changed, a sudden sadness swept over Buffy's heart at the memory of her sister slayer. They hadn't known each other very long, but given the chance Buffy knew they could have been good friends. Sadly for Kendra there was never enough time, Drusilla has seen to that.
" Yes Kendra. Lovely girl, I see her quiet often you know." Jordan's voice cut into Buffy's reverie.
"Right, here we are. Slayer due in. Mmm, I see...That's why I didn't know, you're a week early"
" Like I said I didn't have much say in the matter" Buffy sighed realising she wouldn't be going home after all.
Jordan turned the book and held out a small quill pen.
" Never mind, I guess we better get you signed in. Once you're settled in to your accommodation there's a lot of people who will want to talk to you, Faith." He indicated to the line he wished the ex slayer to sign.
The sound of the familiar name caused Buffy to look up.
" Okay, rewind there. I'm Buffy remember, B-u-f...Oh never mind. I'm not
Betty and I'm certainly not Faith"
" Well that's not what's written here, It's very clear. One Vampire slayer. Name of Faith. Time of death, July twenty third at 8pm. Like I said you're one week early.
" And like I said, I'm not Faith. Somebody around here has made a big mistake" Buffy's eyes blazed as she the considered the ramifications.
" That's impossible we don't make mistakes here. This is heaven not the tax office" Jordan looked horrified that the girl could even suggest such a thing.
" Why my dear girl, there hasn't been a mistake here for over one thousand years"
Buffy quirked her eyebrow.
** So there had been at least one mistake in the past** she thought
happily.
" When you people make mistakes you sure make them big. I want to speak to whoever's in charge of this place, now" Buffy slammed her hand down on the desk to prove she meant business. The injustice of having her soul called too early had broken the earlier peace she had experienced and as far as she was concerned she had wasted enough precious time in this place. Buffy wanted to get back to her own beloved Angel as soon as possible.
Archangel Jordan picked up a small golden telephone, much to Buffy's amusement. The thought of telephones in heaven just felt ridiculous. But then again this whole experience was becoming stranger by the minute.
At that point a voice spoke out on the other end of the line. Jordan looked at the annoyed girl and then spoke quietly into the telephone
" I'd like to speak to Saint Peter please, we seem to have a slight problem at the front desk"
TBC...
Sequel to * I want my life to be with you*
AUTHOR: Kim
E-MAIL: kim.harmel@ntlworld.com.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own them, I don't want them, they make me cry
too much. Joss and his people do the owning thing
SPOILERS: Everything up to the end of S4/S1
TIMELINE: Set in the distant future
FEEDBACK: Please.
RATING: PG
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Set right after * I want my life to be with you* After a dreadful car crash, Buffy is called to heaven. You really should read the first story. But if not, Angel's human and Buffy's dead.
HEAVEN CAN WAIT....
Sequel to *I want my life to be with you.*
Part one.
Buffy Summers felt as if she was flying. A soft warm glow wrapped her
protectively in its embrace and drew her essence up into its light. She
watched in wonder as the scene below gradually faded from view. There was no longer any pain, no fear and strangely no regret as her soul left its mortal body far behind. Buffy was free. As her sprit soared higher she realised for the first time in her short chaotic life she was truly free.
And that's when it hit her. **Angel.**
****
Buffy found herself at the bottom of what seemed like a never-ending
staircase. She raised her eyes and watched in awe at how the stairs rose and then disappeared into a haze of fluffy golden clouds. Everything seemed to be the same colour here; everything was bathed in a warm golden glow. It had to be the most beautiful place Buffy had ever seen. She hesitantly lifted her small foot and placed it on the bottom step, without another thought she moved her body forward and started to ascend.
The stairway seemed to stretch up into infinity. As it silently rose higher Buffy was filled with a complete sense of tranquillity. No longer was she the slayer, a daughter, a wife, or a potential mother. She was simply a soul being called home.
On reaching the summit the clouds seemed to part on their own accord, Buffy took a long deep breath before walking towards the famous pearly gates.
The magnificent ornamental gateway seemed to sparkle in the soft celestial light; a gentle mist swirled around the base twisting its coolness around Buffy's ankles. Buffy reached out timidly and rested her hand against the structure. She had expected to feel cool metal beneath her fingertips but the gate was warm, it almost felt alive. It was just like touching a live cable; it almost hummed with cosmic energy.
Buffy reached up on her tiptoes and peered through the bars of the gate, hoping to get a clearer picture of where she was. All she could make out was a plain white desk immediately situated behind the gate and then more swirling clouds. Failing to find a handle, Buffy tried to push the gate open.
Her soft chuckle of disbelief rippled through the air.
" It's locked?" Buffy shook the gates slightly harder but they still
wouldn't move. Not knowing what else to do, the ex slayer slid down and sat cross-legged on the floor.
** I'll just wait here until I wake up** she told herself as she watched
the top step on the stairway continue to roll over and disappear into the mist.
So lost in the hypnotising motion of the stairs the sound of a voice
startled her
" Hello there, I'm so sorry, I wasn't expecting a newcomer. I hope you
haven't been waiting too long"
Buffy jumped to her feet and span around.
A smart middle aged man in a dark suit smiled at her from the other side of the gates. They slowly parted and after a moments hesitation Buffy walked forward.
" Right, and who do we have here?" he asked opening a large book in front of him. When he heard no rely he looked up and smiled at the pretty young woman with waist length blonde hair. Understanding that she was still slightly disorientated he asked the question again.
" And your name was?"
** Name was? okay**
" Buffy Anne Summers" Buffy spoke quietly trying to find her maiden name on the large page. It seemed strange leaving off the O'Connelly part that she had inherited on marrying Angel. But the guy had definitely stated *was* and not *is*
" Let's see. Saunders, Stevens, Summers. There we are, Betty Anne Summers age ninety-three from Kentucky. " He raised his eyes slowly from the page and studied the petite girl in front of him again.
" You don't look ninety three."
"Maybe that's because I'm not Betty Anne Summers, I'm Buffy, that's
B_U_F_F_Y."
Buffy slowly folded her arms across her chest and watched as the man scanned the list of names again, as he neared the bottom of the list he shook his head.
" I'm sorry but you're not on my list, are you sure you're supposed to be here?
Buffy rolled her eyes and struggled to remain calm, the tranquillity she
had been feeling earlier was beginning to fade.
" I didn't really have much say in the matter; one moment I'm driving
through the rain and the next, this idiot..... Damn my jeep was in a mess. Did anybody get that guys number? " Tranquillity was now totally gone as memories of the accident returned.
" If I get my hands on the son of a b...." Buffy took a calming breath and realised that raving about the accident was a waste of energy, what was done was done.
" Hey! Look. If it's all the same to you I'm quiet happy to go back home, I'll leave you to sort out the confusion. Say hi to Betty for me when she gets here" Buffy turned on her heal and started towards the golden stairway
.
" Just think, it will save you all that trouble calling a new slayer."
" Slayer! Why didn't you say that in the first place?"
Buffy turned back.
" You didn't ask" she replied suspiciously.
The smartly dressed man appeared slightly flustered.
" It makes perfect sense now; of course you wouldn't be on this list. A
slayer is.. Well you would be on the VIP list that's for sure.. A slayer,
I'm so honoured." He blushed furiously then continued, holding out his
hand.
"I'm the Archangel Jordan, just call me Jordan" he smiled and waited for the girl to accept his gesture.
Buffy looked at the out stretched hand and reluctantly shook it.
Jordan dipped out of sight only to reappear with a small jewel encrusted book. The initials VIP sparkled on the front cover. Jordan carefully opened the book at the most resent entry
" I'm so sorry I didn't recognise you, we haven't had a slayer for quiet a
while now. I really should have been better prepared for such an important arrival."
The archangel silently promised that somebody would be taken to task over such sloppy preparations. A slayer should have received an escort at the very least.
Buffy seemed lost in thought for a moment.
" Kendra" her expression changed, a sudden sadness swept over Buffy's heart at the memory of her sister slayer. They hadn't known each other very long, but given the chance Buffy knew they could have been good friends. Sadly for Kendra there was never enough time, Drusilla has seen to that.
" Yes Kendra. Lovely girl, I see her quiet often you know." Jordan's voice cut into Buffy's reverie.
"Right, here we are. Slayer due in. Mmm, I see...That's why I didn't know, you're a week early"
" Like I said I didn't have much say in the matter" Buffy sighed realising she wouldn't be going home after all.
Jordan turned the book and held out a small quill pen.
" Never mind, I guess we better get you signed in. Once you're settled in to your accommodation there's a lot of people who will want to talk to you, Faith." He indicated to the line he wished the ex slayer to sign.
The sound of the familiar name caused Buffy to look up.
" Okay, rewind there. I'm Buffy remember, B-u-f...Oh never mind. I'm not
Betty and I'm certainly not Faith"
" Well that's not what's written here, It's very clear. One Vampire slayer. Name of Faith. Time of death, July twenty third at 8pm. Like I said you're one week early.
" And like I said, I'm not Faith. Somebody around here has made a big mistake" Buffy's eyes blazed as she the considered the ramifications.
" That's impossible we don't make mistakes here. This is heaven not the tax office" Jordan looked horrified that the girl could even suggest such a thing.
" Why my dear girl, there hasn't been a mistake here for over one thousand years"
Buffy quirked her eyebrow.
** So there had been at least one mistake in the past** she thought
happily.
" When you people make mistakes you sure make them big. I want to speak to whoever's in charge of this place, now" Buffy slammed her hand down on the desk to prove she meant business. The injustice of having her soul called too early had broken the earlier peace she had experienced and as far as she was concerned she had wasted enough precious time in this place. Buffy wanted to get back to her own beloved Angel as soon as possible.
Archangel Jordan picked up a small golden telephone, much to Buffy's amusement. The thought of telephones in heaven just felt ridiculous. But then again this whole experience was becoming stranger by the minute.
At that point a voice spoke out on the other end of the line. Jordan looked at the annoyed girl and then spoke quietly into the telephone
" I'd like to speak to Saint Peter please, we seem to have a slight problem at the front desk"
TBC...