Wesley arrived at Angel's suite. The tension as he entered was palpable. Gunn gave him a cautious look and Angel's jaw tensed.
"Angel. I was told I could be of some assistance."
Fred quickly interjected. "Well we've been doing all sorts of research on the issues. The first thing we gotta do is we gotta find out why Buffy came back and what brought her back and of course the second is why Angel and Buffy can't be more than a few yards from each other without keelin' over in excruciating pain. I think I found something in this book," She picked up the book and handed it to Wesley. "It says something about soul tethering. It's interesting but seeing as you are more magically inclined and I'm more about formulas and calculations I think you will probably have a better understanding than I do."
"Yes, I see." Wesley turned his attention to Buffy and smiled. "Buffy, I'm Wesley. I was your watcher for a period of time."
Buffy gave a confused look. "Watcher? That sounds kinda creepy. What's a Watcher?"
Angel looked at Wesley annoyed.
Wesley realized how little had been explained to Buffy but now that the cat was out of the bag. "Well...umm… you, you see, you were… or rather you are, a Slayer. Into every generation, there is a chosen one. One girl in all the world, typically anyway . She alone will wield the strength and skill to stand against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness; To stop the spread of their evil and the swell of their numbers. You are the Slayer"
Buffy stood up. Walked over to Wesley. She grabbed him by the shirt and pushed him up against the wall. She stilled for a second, surprised at her own strength but continued her assault. "What the hell are you talking about you English weirdo. Slayer? Vampire? Demons ?" She asked him incredulously.
"Ok - ok take it easy" Angel walked over to help Wesley out of the Slayer's grasp. Although he couldn't help but slightly enjoy the sight of the fear that emanated from Wesley. "Can you all continue the research party downstairs. Let's give Buffy some space."
The team filed out of the room. Wesley began to exit with his books and scrolls in tow. Wesley turned back towards Buffy before heading out the door. "Buffy, if it's any consolation. I am very glad to have you back. I failed you as your watcher before but I want you to know that I will work tirelessly to help you now." He turned to walk out the door and shut the door behind him.
Buffy ran a hand through her hair and tightened her arms defensively around her body. All of the things that Wesley were ridiculous but they didn't feel foreign. She turned away from Angel afraid of showing him her fear and confusion. What was she? "Am I ...am I not a human?" Buffy's voice was small and unsure.
"No. Buffy. You absolutely are human. You are flesh and blood. You are mortal. But you have some superhuman attributes."
She turned to look at Angel a small smirk. It reminded him of the 16 year old he met in the dark alley. This Buffy was without the burdens that she had carried so long as a result of her calling. "So like Wonder Woman?"
"Something like that. But you tend to wear more sensible outfits." He smiled a half crooked smile. She swore she had seen that smile before. It felt familiar. Buffy moved closer. She was close enough that he could smell her scent and could reach out and touch her. He felt dizzy at the thought of holding her. He needed to step out of the room and gather himself. He stepped back. "Buffy, why don't you go lay down. I'll be right outside the room. I'm just going to give you some time to relax. I won't go far. I'll make sure to keep a close distance so we aren't you know...zapped."
She nodded and walked over to the bed and laid down. He waited for a moment until she closed her eyes. Then he walked out of the door. He wasn't sure how much farther he could go without causing them any pain so he just plopped down on the floor outside his room. He closed his eyes.
A few minutes later, Cordelia came up and sat next to Angel. He smelled her before he saw her. It was a familiar scent and he had grown used to over the years. She smiled a sad smile at him then turned to look straight ahead. One of them had to say something.
Someone had to break the silence. Angel was never one with words so Cordelia knew it would be her.
"Angel listen. About tonight…."
"No wait I owe you an explanation"
"No you don't actually. I mean you probably should be explaining and apologizing and preferably groveling by buying me expensive jewelry - Kendra Scott maybe. But the problem is I have all of the information" She tapped her temples. "Up here." She sighed. "I lied to you before, I did have a vision. It was a whopper. I could write a soap opera about it. It would be called the Tortured Times of Buffy and Angel. I would clearly play the hot sexy villain. Like a Susan Lucci but younger and with a better tan. Anyway the point is, the Powers showed me all about you and Buffy and your love." She turned to face him and placed her hand on his cheek. "I didn't want to believe it at first. After all, the only thing I ever saw was Buffy making your suffer. I saw you brooding, shut down and depressed and I thought it was because of her. But I understand things now. I see them more clearlly. I felt the love that you have for her. It's so bright - it was blinding. You would never have loved anyone else like that even though I know you would have tried. That kind of love, it's once in a lifetime if you're lucky."
Angel's turned his face and looked down at his hands. He was unable to meet Cordy's face. What could he say to her?
Cordelia grabbed Angel's hand and continued. "And then I saw the love she had for you. The strength of it, it is overpowering. It burns you up inside." She forced him to meet her eyes. "You are soulmates, Angel. The Powers showed me. Apparently that is relevant in what is to come and why she is here."
"Cordy." Angel looked up at her, the pain evident in his eyes. "I never meant for any of this to happen. You are my best friend. You made me smile when I thought I would never smile again. I do love you. You have to know that. I just got that love so twisted, so confused. But you are in my heart, you are my family."
Cordy poked Angel playfully. "You better believe you got it confused mister." She scoffed jokingly. "But then again you had some help in that department. Lorne, Fred, horny Ballet ghost possessing us. I get it," she sighed and eased back up against the wall, "it got ...confusing."
Cordelia continued, "Angel. You and Buffy have been brought together for a reason. The Powers showed me that this is the final battle. It is the last stand for good and evil and it will either end in the elimination of evil on a grand scale or … evil will be allowed to reign on earth for a long time. Only you and Buffy can stop the end of days." She turned and faced Angel. "This is for all the marbles, you get it?"
Angel straightened up, understanding the seriousness of what she was saying. "What did you see?"
"They showed me that you and Buffy working together was key. 'Together you were powerful. Alone, you are dead.' I heard some big green demon thingy saying that."
"Big and green? Did it have a jewel on its head?"
"Yes as a matter of fact it did. Do you know what they are?"
"Mohra demons. The kind that turned me human that one day. They had said years ago when we defeated it, on the day that never happened, that the end of days has begun. I had started to think he was just huffing and puffing. But apparently it just took them a few years to get ready for the fight." Angel recalled how difficult the Mohra had been to kill the first time around and shuddered the idea of having to face this demon again.
"The shanshu prophecy holds some of the answers that you will need to win this battle. This is it Angel. They released me from my fealty, whatever that is supposed to mean. But no more visions around the corner. My part in all of this is done." Cordelia stood up and Angel followed.
"What do you mean your part is done? I still need you Cordy. You are the heart of this team."
Cordy smiled and she put her hands on Angel's shoulders. "I'll be back for the battle when the time comes. But for now. I need a breather. Some distance. But don't worry, I'll be back."
"Cordy, I…."
"I know Angel. But it's ok, it really is. Please don't add this to your long list of things to feel guilty about. If you want my forgiveness you have it although I don't know that you need it. And let's be honest, I would never have settled for second best. I would have realized it sooner or later. Better now. You are my dearest friend and that is something that we can both treasure. Ok?"
Angel kissed her forehead and pulled her in for a hug. He didn't deserve the forgiveness but he accepted it anyway.
"This is your home whenever you are ready to come back" Angel released his friend.
She smiled and turned away. He watched Cordy walk away and hoped that he would see her again. He hoped that he and Buffy would be able to save the world for their their loved ones. He sighed and walked back into his room. A weight lifted from his shoulders.
Angel opened the door and found Buffy was sitting on the bed. Eyes wide open.
Buffy stood and paced the room. "I feel a bit panicked. The things that the Wesley guy said and I just feel frustrated at not remembering anything. I feel so tired but I can't sleep. I feel like my skin feels too tight over my bones and there is a tightness in my chest I can't shake."
"Can I…. do you want me to lay down with you. Have you noticed when we touch… have you noticed…." It was a difficult feeling to explain. The serenity that came from their touch.
"Yes. I have noticed." She hesitated but after a moment she said, "Ok - it's worth a shot." Angel sat on the bed so that his back was leaning on the headboard and she looked hesitantly at him. She sat next to him and allowed her head to lay on his chest.
Buffy could feel the stillness of his chest. No heartbeat. "You aren't human are you?"
"No."
"Were you human when we met?"
"No." He paused a moment. "Are you afraid of me?"
"No. Is that strange?" Buffy said.
"Strange is pretty common around here." He answered.
Minutes passed as the two relaxed into the feel of their touch. She snuggled into his chest slightly.
"Angel?" Buffy asked. "Were we in love?"
"Yes." Angel answered, without hesitation.
Buffy was starting to fall asleep. But before she let the sleep envelope her, she whispered "I don't remember you but I still feel it. The love. It's still there."
"It's always there." Angel whispered back. Buffy had likely fallen asleep by then. H reached over to turn off the light and he tightened his grip on Buffy. He listened to Buffy's heart beat and let the comforting wave of her touch lull him into a deep sleep.