Hello all. I'm sorry about the delay between chapters, but school is a real pain. For those who have expressed a desire for longer chapters, I'm sorry again; you'll have to understand that this is just how I roll. I can't decide at this point whether I'll add an epilogue or continue the story further. I can't make any promises, but I hope you enjoy this chapter! It's not as creative/deep as my previous chapters, but I felt the need to just get it out there. Anyways, I'll leave you to your reading.
Thanks again to all who have reviewed! I really do appreciate it!
After a little discrete research, Angel was able to ascertain Buffy's new location. Luckily, it wasn't too far from where he was staying at the farm.
He managed to hitch a ride to town, and then on to his final destination. It was then that Angel faced the greatest challenge of his new life: facing Buffy. He made it to the town, where he discovered that his 'Buffy sense,' his sensitivity to her presence, was still in working order. The minute he stepped off the truck, he could tell this was the place. Now, narrowing down her absolute location was going to be a bit more difficult.
He had shied away from contacting Willow or her friends directly. To be honest, he didn't want to cause a stir, thinking it wiser to just find Buffy and have a moment in private.
As he meandered through the town, his brain began to twist onto a darker path. Misgivings crept into his mind and formed complicated webs of doubt.
Why would she even want to see him again? Would he be causing her even greater pain? Was this really the best thing to be doing?
These shadows tugged at his consciousness, with the realization of his true solitude in his new world adding to the mix. Suddenly, it dawned on him that he was alone. All of his friends back in L.A., every beautiful life he had known there, they were all gone. Cordelia, Gunn, and Wesley. Everyone who had meant something in his life was gone forever. All he had left was Buffy. He couldn't bear to think what he would do if she rejected him.
His wandering steps found him in what must be a park, he decided. After collapsing on a nearby bench, a dejected sigh left his lips as his head settled into his hands. What was he even doing here? How could he barge into her life again after so much time? She probably thought he was dead anyways; she'd probably moved on by now.
Suddenly this seemed like the stupidest idea he'd ever had. He shouldn't be here.
A tingling sensation reached through his guilt-ridden thoughts; she was here. Like a slap in the face, he shot upright, franticly searching his surroundings.
He couldn't see her yet, but he knew she was somewhere off to his right, through the trees.
As if a soothing hand had been placed on his shoulder, the storm within him calmed. For Angel, instincts had dictated many of the decisions in his life. He supposed this was no different. He knew, he knew what he had to do.
He had to go to her.
Regardless of the consequences, he had to see her again, if only to make sure she was alright. Considering his actions in the past, he settled on observing her from afar, hidden. It had brought him comfort so many times before, to simply watch her through the trees.
Like a shadow in the daylight, his old habits returned to him, his movements sure and graceful as he soundlessly crept through the branches. The sight that greeted him was not what he expected.
Instead of seeing a youthful, vibrant face, his eyes beheld a lifeless, pale visage. Her eyes were so empty. It sent a jolt straight through him, to that core of his being that was shared with her soul. Suddenly his life seemed so meaningless; without her.
What had done this to her? Where was the strong creature he had known before? This woman before him was so devoid of hope, it caused him the first true pain as a human being. All doubts cast aside, he knew he had to help her. Like he had done so many times before, Angel knew he had to fix this.
Emerging from the trees, his anxious eyes beheld only her. He strode purposefully over the fresh grass, quickly closing the distance between them. When her hollow eyes recognized his approach, however, and glanced up to meet his, he was stopped with a force so great it stole the breath from his lungs.
She simply stared at him, for moments that seemed to stretch eternally.
"Buffy?" His whispered word was filled with the magnitude of his concern.
"It's me. I'm here now."
Barely audible, meant for her ears alone, those words finally seemed to break the spell that was locking Buffy away from the world. He gradually saw her eyes change, recognition finally penetrating them fully, followed quickly by a torrential flood of tears. He had never seen her cry so unrestrained before.
It also broke the hold on his feet, allowing him to hurriedly make his way across the distance remaining between them. She also had risen, her light footsteps dancing across the grass as she practically raced to reach him. When they joined at last, it was in a flurry of arms, legs, laughter, tears, and rapidly truncated sentences.
Somewhere, she had leapt into his arms, burying her face deep in his jacket, his scent flowing around her. His strong arms absorbed her momentum, carrying them both to the soft ground. She clung to him as if drowning, and he cradled her to him, holding her close and whispering repeatedly the only words his mind could form, "I'm here. I'll never leave you again."
It was then, at the most inopportune moment, that Giles and Willow chose to return, interrupting their unanticipated reunion.
Yeah, I realize it was short, and not the best of the chapters, but it's something. Please, let me know what you think.
