Just want to start off saying I do not own any of the characters in this story. But thanks Joss for creating them.
Ok so this is set during season 4 of Buffy, its basically a what if sort of story, with the what if being…
What if Angel left during season 2 of Buffy, only to come back.
Ok so hear goes, enjoy…
Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer
(think of these as flash backs) This is just a brief recap of the events in Surprise.
Buffy is on the way to her 17th birthday when her and Ms. Calendar come across what looks to be some kind of theft. Buffy gets out of the car and sneaks toward the possible crooks. One turns and its Dalton, one of spikes men .
"Every time I see you you're stealing something. You should talk to somebody
about this klepto issue." – Buffy sarcastically states
WHUMP! Buffy is attacked by a hulking vampire, she fights him off, but is distracted when she hears the truck start.
Buffy moves to the back of the truck to intercept Dalton and the box that he is stealing. Dalton knows he's no match for her and runs off, leaving the box behind. Buffy see's a piece of wood laying on the floor and quickly throws it through the air, it lands right in Daltons back and through the heart, he falls to the floor an turns to dust.
Everyone waits inside the bronze, Angel waiting impatiently "where is she?"
"Shhhhhhh"
Buffy and the hulking vampire come CRASHING through the window onto the stage of the Bronze. Glass flies everywhere. Buffy has the upper hand however and he stakes him. Dusto-rama.
A long, stunned beat. Everyone stares. Then Cordelia POPS from behind a couch. "Surprise!"
Miss Calendar comes through the door carrying the iron box that the vamps left. Buffy slowly lifts the lid. Everyone peers into the box. Their faces register shock and amazement. In the box is a powerful, heavily armoured arm.
Then the arm shoots from the box - GRABS BUFFY BY THE NECK. After fighting the arm they manage to get it back in the box
"It can't be- She wouldn't... " Angel says in shock "It's a legend. Way before my time. Of a demon brought forth to rid the earth of the plague of humanity. To separate the righteous from the wicked... And burn the righteous down. They called him the Judge"
"we have to get this out of town" states Giles quite sharply
"Angel" Jenny quickly adds, "You've got to do it. You're the only one who can protect this thing"
"I can catch a cargo ship to Asia, maybe trek to Nepal..." Angel mumbles to himself "I can't fly. There's no sure way to guard against the daylight. I don't like this any more than you do, Buffy. But there's no other way"
Buffy and Angel meet eyes. Buffy knows he has to go - but she's desperate for him not to. Everyone stands silently amid the festive decorations. This was not the way it was supposed to happen, it was her 17th Birthday after all
Now at the Sunnydale docks, Angel, who holds the box, and Buffy move furtively down the docks toward a large ship. They stop when they are still some distance away. Angel sets the box down. Buffy tries to smile, be the brave little soldier, But can't.
"I'll be back" Angel says as he looks into Buffy's eyes "I will"
Buffy nods unconvinced "When? Six months? A year? Who knows how long it will take"
"I... have something for you. For your birthday. I was going to give it to you earlier, but..." Angel pulls a small box from his coat and hands it to her. Buffy opens it, inside is a silver ring with two hands holding a heart engraved on it. It was a claddagh ring.
Buffy doesn't want Angel to go, with all her heart, nor does Angel, but they both know he has to. He takes her into his arms and they kiss. The potentially last kiss kind of kiss.
"Buffy…I… I love you" Angel finally manages to get them words to leave his mouth