Chapter 10 Do Real Good
Right from the start
You were a thief
You stole my heart
And I your willing victim
I let you see the parts of me
That weren't all that pretty
And with every touch you fixed them
Now you've been talking in your sleep, oh, oh
Things you never say to me, oh, oh
Tell me that you've had enough
Of our love, our love
Just give me a reason
Just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again
It's in the stars
It's been written in the scars on our hearts
We're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again
I'm sorry I don't understand
Where all of this is coming from
I thought that we were fine
(Oh, we had everything)
Your head is running wild again
My dear we still have everythin'
And it's all in your mind
(Yeah, but this is happenin')
You've been havin' real bad dreams, oh, oh
You used to lie so close to me, oh, oh
There's nothing more than empty sheets
Between our love, our love
Oh, our love, our love
Just give me a reason
Just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again
I never stopped
You're still written in the scars on my heart
You're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again
Oh, tear ducts and rust
I'll fix it for us
We're collecting dust
But our love's enough
You're holding it in
You're pouring a drink
No nothing is as bad as it seems
We'll come clean
Just give me a reason
Just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again
It's in the stars
It's been written in the scars on our hearts
That we're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again
Just give me a reason
Just a little bit's enough
Just a second we're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again
It's in the stars
It's been written in the scars on our hearts
That we're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again
Oh, we can learn to love again
Oh, we can learn to love again
Oh, oh, that we're not broken just bent
And we can learn to love again
Just Give me a Reason by PINK feat. Nate Ruess
Paris, France 1838
Christmas time was never a fun time for Elizabeth or Darla not after their mother's death. Elizabeth never celebrated Christmas her father would drink himself to an oblivion and then pass out. She would go to Christmas service but around eighteen it stopped. But now living as a vampire Christmas was different. Elizabeth has been a vampire for eighty-seven years now and it was just her and Darla living the high life.
Outside people sung Christmas carols around the place as a light snow fell. Christmas was just days away for Paris and people were prepping. The sister vampires were in a pub in France dancing. Both were beautiful women so getting a man was never an issue. Darla and Elizabeth were on the tables dancing for the men. The men clapped and both women caught sight of the people they would feed on tonight. Elizabeth would have sex with the man and then kill him much like a black widow would.
Daniel was his name, he was married and had children but to be with a younger woman like Elizabeth it was much better. Elizabeth would always be dominant as she was on top of him. Her dress wasn't completely discarded as she finished. Daniel looked happy as he put his pants back on but sex worked up an appetite for Elizabeth. He turned around to say something and her face was morphed. He ran to get away but it only made Elizabeth smile.
Daniel ran through the streets hoping to get away but Elizabeth's skills at hunting were getting good that running only made it more fun. Then something grabbed him pulling him into an alley away from the crowds.
"Just get some and run, that's not very nice to do to a lady especially when it's not your wife." Elizabeth smiled.
"You're a monster." Daniel stammered and Elizabeth shrugged with a smile.
"Yeah, yeah I am but what are you going to do about it?" She asked and then grabbed him shoving him to the wall. He started to recite psalm 23 and she smiled. "Oh, don't be like that it's Christmas time." Elizabeth morphed sinking her teeth into his neck.
Buffy woke up and looked around. The sun was down and some how she managed to sleep through the day. That was a first in a long time since coming back. She got out of bed and walked to her window opening the blackout curtains and walked to the balcony. She looked out as her window faced the forest. She could hear the animals of the night and the air was cool. Temperatures in California drop during the winter months. It's not cold enough to snow but with the sea breeze the highs can be in the sixties and the lows can be in the forties.
Out in the streets Angel was really glad he could wear his black overcoat and not feel stupid. He wears it a lot but now it just felt good. He was Christmas shopping for his mother and friends. It was the holidays and it was a time to be happy and giving.
Buffy was walking the streets seeing everyone was out Christmas shopping and enjoying the night air as she heard Christmas music everywhere whether it was from a store or people singing. She then walked by the Sunnydale Catholic church. Something compelled her to go in and she did. She walked in seeing the long aisle leading all the way to the Alter. She use to come to church Christmas nights to pray but her prayers were never answered. Before she took another step in she left.
Buffy kept walking down the streets and then looked up seeing Angel. They hadn't seen each other since the whole ordeal with the glove. But she was glad to see him.
"Hey," She greeted him and he managed a small half smile.
"Hi," He greeted back with bags in his hands. "Christmas shopping?" He asked and she shrugged.
"Haven't celebrated Christmas since well last year but yeah." Buffy felt awkward. "I slept all through the day but had some weird dreams." Angel nodded a little knowing she was on this strange sleep cycle.
"Well, other than sleeping strange are you ok?" Angel asked and she nodded trying to muster a smile but there was so much tension between them.
"Yeah, been, been better." Buffy answered looking up at him. He had every right to be hostile to her but being nice and talking and asking how she was meant he was mature. Buffy looked over and then saw someone. Angel looked to the direction she was looking but just saw people walking. She saw Daniel staring at her. "I…I should go, you, I'll do a sweep for you so you can spend with your mom." Buffy then walked passed him and Angel looked to the direction she was fixed on. He knew what it was like to see things but he shrugged it off for moment and kept walking.
Buffy walked to the cemetery and looked around and didn't see Daniel anymore. But something wasn't right and she was scared. She's been dreaming about her past the last few weeks. Vampires don't really dream they more or less sleep in a black abyss of nothing. When she first came back she slept no more than three hours at time in the black abyss. Soon she started to dream and would wake up all through the night. Something wasn't right.
Angel was at the coffee shop the next day with Willow. Cordelia had removed herself from the group for now because of Willow and Xander. Angel would still talk to her once in a while. Xander was still incognito and then Oz was gone too. The group was Willow, Giles and Angel hardly where they started at two years ago.
"She just left." Angel finished explaining to Willow and she looked concerned too. "I don't know there's a lot of tension between us right now."
"She said she was sorry and she saved my life so I'm ok with her being around." Willow spoke up and Angel nodded. "Giles and Xander haven't forgiven and what about you?"
"I forgave her." Angel answered but did he really truly forgive her? Maybe in that moment he did but letting it build and fester he hasn't forgiven her completely yet.
"Maybe she's depressed people get depressed during the holidays especially when they're alone." Willow finished. "Maybe you can do something with her." She suggested and Angel wasn't sure. Then out of nowhere Oz came over. Willow took a sip of her coffee as Angel and Oz did the what's up head nod to each other.
"Hey, what's up?" Oz asked them and Angel shrugged. "Think I can talk to Willow for a minute?" He asked and Angel got up meaning yes. They shook hands real fast and he left as Oz took Angel's seat. "The thing is Willow," Oz began and Willow's heart was racing. "Seeing you with Xander there was…well I never felt that way before." He was finally expressing himself and his feelings. "At least only with a full moon and I know you two have a history."
"And history is in the past." Willow added but Oz wasn't done yet. "But it's over I promise.
"I don't know, it might not be with you two." Oz continued. "I do miss you, I miss you all the time and I think I'm willing to try again." Willow perked up a little.
Night came around and Angel and Joyce were getting a tree together. They would always get a tree together with or without his father. The two looked around the lot trying to find one.
"What about that one?" Joyce pointed to Angel.
"Yeah if we take four feet off it could fit in the house." Was Angel's way of saying no. Joyce then wrapped her arms around Angel's arm and rested her head on her son's shoulder.
"So what kind of tree are we looking for?" She asked.
"A Christmas one." Angel answered and she smiled and scoffed as they walked around looking.
"You're difficult." She commented as they looked around. "Well, how about one that doesn't cost more than forty dollars." Angel shrugged so that narrows it down a little. "Oh, some gifts came in the mail for you from your father guess he remembered."
"That's nice of him." Angel was somewhat not here and Joyce knew something was on his mind and has been lately. She wasn't his Watcher but his mother and knew Buffy was probably on his mind.
"I have an idea," Joyce started. "How about you invite Buffy over for Christmas dinner?" They stopped walking and Angel looked to her. "So she's not alone, being alone on Christmas just isn't right."
"Mom, that's nice but I don't know Giles will be there and," Angel knew Giles hasn't come to grips with Buffy's return yet. He supported Angel but that didn't mean he liked it. Also she had invited Faith and Faith and Buffy together and Giles there that was asking for trouble. But then again if Giles doesn't go then it's Angel and three girls he'll be out numbered and his mother loves to tell stories when he was a baby and Giles might not be able to back him up but there was another guy there.
"Well, think about it." Joyce said and then they saw a whole bunch of dead trees.
"Think if I shake them hard enough it'll be like a Charlie Brown Christmas?" Angel asked and Joyce playfully smacked him.
"Oh, look at this one." Joyce walked over to a tree but Angel looked at the dead ones a little longer. He then went to join up with his mom knowing if it was the right tree he'll be the muscle to get it to the car.
Buffy woke up again looking around. That dream was not of her past it was something else. She saw a man with his eyes gone and the lids sewn shut. She wanted to run to Angel but just sat there not knowing what to do. She got up and headed downstairs when Angel walked in and she jumped.
"Sorry, sorry." He apologized mostly because he hadn't been here since Spike blew into town. The place was slightly decorated and he was realizing how alone she was now.
"It's ok, what's up?" She asked him trying to get rid of the dream.
"Mom likes to cram as many people together in one place and she wanted to know if you'd join us for Christmas." Angel stated and Buffy wanted to say yes but held back. "Faith and Giles will be there so it's up to you." That changed everything completely for her. Being in a room with two slayers and a Watcher, ones that don't not like her these days well that's a problem.
"I'll think about it." Buffy answered and he nodded and started to leave. She was about to go after him but didn't. It's the holidays and he shouldn't be burden with her nightmares and dreams. He then turned around facing her seeing the Christmas lights she put up.
"I like the lights." He then left and that made Buffy smile just a little.
Giles was getting his dinner ready when he heard a knock on the door. He opened it and it was Buffy. She looked nervous standing there and she hasn't spoken to him since her return let alone since she became Elizabeth. Giles looked shocked, scared and angry she was on his doorstep.
"I'm really, really sorry to…to bother you," Buffy started and Giles smiled and laughed a little. She wanted to run away but didn't. She was here to make amends but to also ask a question.
"Sorry, that phrase coming from you strikes me rather funny." Giles spoke up as she still stood there.
"I need your help." Buffy asked.
"And the funny just keeps on coming." Giles didn't sound amused or happy she was here.
"I have no right to ask you I know that but I don't know what else to do or where to go to." Buffy was being honest. She needed answers and help and she couldn't look at Angel mostly because he couldn't look at her. When they were together there was this space between them and it was getting bigger. Their conversions if you could call it that were so short. Willow wouldn't know what to do and Xander isn't part of the group right now.
"Alright," Giles walked away but she needed just a little more than that. She stood at his doorstep feeling awkward.
"I, I need to be invited." She sounded stupid for saying that because he was a Watcher. Giles came back out with a crossbow and Buffy tensed up.
"Come in," Giles offered and she step in keeping her distance to show she didn't mean any harm.
"I've been…seeing stuff, my past been dreaming about my past." Buffy started as Giles listened. "I don't dream and I'm dreaming about killing those from a long time ago. And last night I saw one of them standing in the streets like he was really here." She finished and Giles seemed interested in this. "I'm reliving my past and…I need to know why I'm here why I'm back."
Giles lowered his crossbow seeing it. She wasn't Elizabeth anymore the way she carries herself is so different. When you take the time to look at her Angel was right there was a difference you can see it.
"I'm scared Giles," Buffy then sat down and Giles knew something was wrong and set the crossbow down and slowly sat next to her. "I should be in hell suffering for all eternity but I'm not I'm here."
"You want to know why you're back." Giles stated and she nodded.
"What if she comes back? What if that's the reason why I'm here?" Buffy asked and looked to Giles. "What if Elizabeth comes back? What if I can't control it?"
"You know how to now." Giles added and she shook her head no.
"What if she comes back Giles and," There was a tear. "What if I hurt him again?" Angel was her main concern and Giles could see it, Buffy was truly back again. Buffy then wiped a tear away. "Giles promise me this, if I do turn you take care,"
"Buffy," Giles tried to stop her as she had tears.
"It can't be Angel ok it can't not again!" Buffy was asking and Giles looked down and nodded accepting her wishes. Buffy wiped some tears away and sighed. "You put me down for good and don't wait, don't bargain you just end it." Buffy wiped some more tears from her eyes and sighed. "It…it would have been better,"
"If what?" Giles asked and Buffy looked to him with tears filled her eyes.
"If I stayed in New York or never came to America." Buffy answered.
"Buffy, you're exhausted and frighten by something." Giles was trying to comfort her and she nodded.
"You were ready to kill me, the group can't stand me and Angel," Buffy barely got his name out. It was ok when she came back but as everything settled and reality sunk in Angel started to understand. "Angel, he, he can barely look at me, after what I put him through and the whole summer."
"We've all been carrying that weight Buffy and Angel will come around give him time." Giles assured her.
"He hates me Giles and he should after everything I've done to him, to you." Buffy wiped another tear away and Giles just sat there. "He's just too good of a man to say it. I should have never have crawled out of hell." She wiped another tear away and Giles reached out putting a hand on her shoulder and she looked to him. Giles stood up with a sigh thinking where to start.
"I'll start looking up hell dimensions first," Giles started to lay out the plans and then Buffy's eyes widen. Jenny was standing next to Giles. Giles saw Buffy's look as she stood up slowly from the couch. Giles then looked to the direction Buffy was looking to but there wasn't anything there. "Buffy?"
"You…you can't see her?" Buffy asked as Jenny rested her head on his shoulder. "I, I, I gotta go, I can't," Buffy then rushed out of Giles' place leaving the Watcher confused.
It was a Christmas party of some kind going on and Elizabeth had a manservant cornered. She was hungry and wanted to feed. He was a helpless victim an easy prey and no one would miss him. She was trying to seduce him but he did have a bit of a strong will but he wasn't strong enough. She bit his neck and drank but something forced her away and she looked up seeing Angel standing there.
Angel shot up in bed looking around. What the hell just happened? He sat on the edge of his bed looking around. That was the strangest dream he's ever had. He's dreamed about Buffy but never like that. Angel looked at the time and the sun would be up in less than an hour. He was on vacation and shouldn't be awake until noon but something wasn't right.
Buffy was pacing not knowing what was happening but she was scared out of her mind. Angel was in her dream, she didn't dream of him. What if Elizabeth was returning? What if she couldn't stop it and Elizabeth attacks Angel? What if she tears Angel apart? She was in tears as she paced back and forth trying to understand.
"Trouble sleeping?" A voice asked and Buffy looked up seeing Jenny again. Buffy closed her eyes hoping to make her go away but nothing she was still there.
"You're not real." Buffy stated. "You're not here."
"I'm always here." Jenny stated walking further into the living room.
"Leave me alone." Buffy begged.
"Can't you won't let me." Jenny kept walking as Buffy backed into the corner and sunk down trying to hide. Closing her eyes did nothing as she sobbed a little. She was going crazy.
"What do you want?" Buffy asked her.
"I wanted to die in bed with fat grandchildren around me but you ended that." Jenny answered as she squatted in front of Buffy. "Don't feel sorry me, you should feel sorry for yourself."
"I am sorry, I'm sorry for what I did and what I am." She tried to look away. Then Jenny morphed into Daniel and then the manservant and then back to Jenny.
Angel went to Giles' place but he wasn't there so he went to the library and the Watcher was reading. Angel explained to him what happened how he didn't dream of Buffy but was in her dream. There was stuff in that dream he never knew about so somehow he was pulled in.
"Something's wrong Giles and I don't know." Angel sighed and was frustrated. "I want to help her but I can't she won't," Angel then sat down. "She's avoiding me."
"I know, I spoke her the other night she wants to know why she's back and she thinks you hate her." Giles looked to Angel. "She's scared about something and she's afraid Elizabeth is coming back and she thinks you hate her."
"I don't hate her, I love her." Angel looked to his Watcher. "I, I know we can't be together but I do lover her and if Elizabeth is coming back then I'll stop it. I lost her once I can't do that again." Angel paused for a moment. "Is there a way to find out why she's back?"
"Possibly," Giles stood up and Angel followed him to the table with books that he pulled out to look at.
"Where do we start?" A voice asked and Angel looked up seeing Xander there. The tension rose but then Angel realized this was Xander coming to him. "I don't want Elizabeth to come back and if Buffy dies again…I… can't see you in that much pain." Xander got closer to Angel and they did the bro hug meaning all was forgiven.
"We got a lot of work ahead of us," Giles jumped in as Xander and Angel looked at the books. "Xander, Black Chronicles," Giles handed him a big book. "Angel, the Diary of Luscious Temple. He talks about Acathla and is an expert on demons. You can skip the chapters on his garden unless you're keen on growing hearty beats." Giles went back into his office as Angel took a seat and so did Xander.
"Sure you want to do this on Christmas vacation?" Angel asked and Xander shrugged.
"Who else has a crappy social life?" Xander asked and then Willow came in and that answered his question.
The research has gone on for hours and now a drawling board was out as Xander came back with a box of pizza and doughnuts. Giles was drawling out a diagram and writing stuff down as Xander had some paper plates dishing out the pizza and doughnuts.
"Dimension walls are like a sink," Giles went on as Angel took a plate but held it in his hands. While this was going on they had some Christmas music going on in the background to keep them in the holiday spirit. "Nothing can get through the walls and things can't get out like a plug hole. Now how did Buffy get out?"
"Maybe she found how to open the drain?" Willow asked and Giles thought about it.
"But that would pull the walls apart causing other evils in and Buffy brought nothing with her." Giles added as everyone added and Angel set his plate down but he needed to eat.
"What about being kicked out?" Xander asked.
"Once there no one is released." Giles answered him. "But somehow Buffy managed to get out of the sink." Angel nodded with a small smile and Giles looked at him with a confused look.
"My Watcher is a plumber." Angel commented and Willow giggled. Xander smiled and it was good to be back.
"Here, Angel pizza and doughnuts, brain food." Xander handed the paper plate back to Angel and the research continued.
Buffy all day was being reminded of her past. She saw everyone she has killed but the one that brought back the worse feelings was seeing her dad before her. She hasn't seen her father in two hundred and forty nine years and now he was before her.
"My little girl." Henry walked away and Buffy closed her eyes trying to block that out. "You and Darla were my little angels and you looked just like your mother." He went on as Buffy looked up at him. "I did wrong to you but I gave shelter and food a place to sleep. You came home and killed me why?" He asked her but she didn't answer. "If you had talked to me more maybe I wouldn't have become a drunk. This is your fault you know."
Buffy let some tears fall as her father knelt before her. She for the most part erased him from her mind from her past. But now he was before her bring back all the pain she felt as a human.
"You think another man could love you when your own father couldn't" Henry asked and Buffy closed her eyes and covered her ears and started to sing trying to drown him out.
"Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are," She sung the child's song that was so old.
"You were a disappointment to me." Henry continued.
"Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky." She tried to block him out.
"I had no women around and Darla left and you looked so much like your mother." Henry explained to her why he molested her.
"When the blazing sun is gone, when the nothing shines upon." Buffy sobbed trying to block this out. "Then you show your little light, twinkle, twinkle all the night." Henry smiled.
"Such a disappointment, no matter what would have happened to you." Henry didn't stop.
"Then the traveler in the dark, thanks you for your little spark. He could not see which way to go, if you did not twinkle so." Buffy kept going.
"You tried to love someone and he tried to love you back and what happened? You almost killed him." Henry's voice changed back to Jenny's.
"When the blazing sun is gone, when the nothing shines upon. Though I know not what you are, twinkle, twinkle little star." Buffy finished opening her eyes with tears as a flood of memories hit her and they were all about her father.
"It's ok Buffy. You'll always be alone but I can help you like so many before." Jenny said and she smiled. "Rest for now," She insisted and Buffy laid out on the couch sobbing. "I can show you how to take all the pain away but first you must sleep."
Everyone was tired at the library and Angel was the most tired. He was upstairs down an aisle and was asleep. He fell asleep reading but the reading wasn't helping him. He was too worried about Buffy and what was going on with her.
Angel sat on his bed and looked up as she crawled into his window like she use to. She was in her white dress as she walked to him. She slowly walked to him almost unsure as Angel sat there waiting. She then stood in between his legs and he looked up her and she reached out letting her hand glide on his face. Angel let his hands run up her bare arms and she smiled a little at him.
Buffy then stretch one leg out settling into his lap straddling him and Angel pulled her closer and they kissed. It was a kiss that made Angel shiver. He felt her hands on the bottom of his shirt and he lifted his arms up as she pulled the shirt off and tossed it away. They went back kissing and Angel felt her gently push him onto the bed and she continued to kiss him. Angel found the zipper on the back of the dress and unzipped her and pulled the straps down around her shoulders.
He leaned in to kiss her bare shoulder and Buffy kissed his neck about ready to send him over the edge completely and they've barely started anything. Angel pulled the dress halfway down to her waist and flesh met with flesh. Angel rolled her over so she was under him and he felt her legs wrap around his waist making him go crazy. He worked to get these pants off and didn't care if the dress came off or not, dresses were easy access.
The clothes were off and somewhere else as the two lovers in a passionate love making session. Buffy rocked on top of him and Angel pulled her as close as he could. He then rolled her over looking down at her briefly and then kissed her. He continued to rock in her and Buffy gasped. He devoured her lips and neck and she held onto him hoping this wasn't a dream and this would never stop.
They continued on never stopping as Buffy was on top of him but something wasn't right. He ran his hand up her chest and neck and she took his hand as he cupped her cheek and she kissed it. There was a flash of light and a man in the corner watching them with his eyes sewn shut. Buffy leaned in to kiss Angel but she growled and her vampire teeth came through and she sunk them into Angel's neck feeding off of him. Buffy shot up screaming thinking it was real. If she ever drank from him she'll want to kill herself. She looked around in tears and then saw Jenny. Thoughts of suicide where starting to plague her. Closing her eyes didn't make any of this go away.
"You want him," Jenny whispered and Buffy shook her head no. "Take him, take what you want. Pour all that anger and frustration into him. He's the one who made you to Elizabeth, he's the one the sent you to hell."
"No!" Buffy yelled standing up and ran upstairs to her room and slammed the door hoping to keep everything out. "You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day," Then her father walked through the door. Buffy closed her eyes covering her ears to block it out. "Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday."
"A thousand may fall at your side," Both Henry and Buffy recited at the same time. "And ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked."
Angel came down the steps of the library as Giles came out with hold pieces of papers. Angel kept repeating that dream in his head and it felt so real. When he woke up he had to remember he was in the library he even reached for his neck to make sure nothing bit him. He was still rubbing his neck as Giles headed to the table laying them out.
"Angel, take a look at this," Giles might have found something as Angel came over looking at the old papers as well with Willow and Xander. Angel rubbed his eyes trying to get the sleep out. "They reference to an ancient power known as The First." Angel looked at the papers as Giles put his glasses on. Willow climbed up on the table and sat there to read while Xander leaned over.
"The first what?" Angel asked.
"Evil, absolute evil." Giles answered. "Older than man, demons, it could have been the power that brought her back."
"Why bring her back to just destroy her?" Xander asked which was a good question.
"To completely eliminate her possibly. She was alive in a hell dimension therefore not dead." Giles gave a possible answer. Angel though was more fixed on a picture though. He picked up the paper looking at crude drawings of men in cloaks and their eyes x-ed out.
"I've seen these guys in my dream, fell asleep up there." Angel continued to look at the picture.
"You had another dream?" Giles asked and Angel looked up at him. "About Buffy?" Angel nodded. "What happened?" And Angel had to think quickly. He couldn't say 'oh we had really passionate sex and then she fed off of me and kind of liked it.'
"You know a dream about…stuff, things." Angel answered and Giles nodded accepting it. "Who are these guys?" Angel changed the conversions.
"They're known as the Bringers or the Harbingers." Giles sat down as Angel looked at the paper. Willow and Xander grabbed other papers reading it but it was in very old English so it was a little hard to read with thy, thou art type language. "They're high priests of the First. They can conjure spirits, have them manifest into something and send them on people. They can't touch these spirits but they can influence them."
"To do what?" Angel asked and Giles both sighed and shrugged.
"Anything really, true evil doesn't need force just some truth mixed into lies and they can bend the human will to do whatever they want." Giles answered.
"They could be making Buffy see things? Dream things?" Angel asked and sat knowing this was big. To fight something you cannot touch but can make do things is tough maybe impossible.
"So, let's stop the bastards and be home in time for the Christmas Story marathon." Xander made it sound easy but Angel agreed.
"You, you can't fight the First Angel it's not something physical." Giles explained.
"These priests I can." Angel stated.
"Well, where do we look?" Xander asked.
"Guys it's Christmas Eve I," Giles didn't want them to be fighting evil on Christmas but Angel do whatever he can for Buffy. "Just be careful."
Angel and Xander walked into Willy's pub. It wasn't busy as it was still daylight out. Willy saw Angel and looked nervous.
"I'm keeping clean slayer," Willy was quick as Angel took a seat at the bar and Xander sat next to him.
"If you answer all my questions, won't hurt you." Angel stated.
"Yeah," Xander interjected and Angel sighed. "Right," Xander backed off.
"Heard of the Bringers? Men in robes, no eyes?" Angel asked.
"No, haven't but something is going on. In the underground certain are booking out of town, scared of something and these things don't run off often." Willy answered. "They might be underground." Angel nodded and got up and left. Once outside Angel sighed and leaned against the wall.
"Well, underground that…helps." Xander tried to stay on the bright side.
"I don't know what to do, she's slipping somewhere and what if Elizabeth does come back?" Angel asked.
"Ok, we can't think like that ok, she's not coming back." Xander assured him but Angel was getting frustrated. "If she does we'll deal with it."
"I'm losing her, I can't do this again," Angel started.
"Hey, we'll catch the bad guys we always do, we'll catch these guys too." Xander assured him and Angel managed a small smile.
Faith and Giles would be over tomorrow for Christmas as the house was decorated. Joyce was getting some of the food items ready for the morning like her famous homemade sticky buns that Angel will eat until he can't eat no more. He only gets them once a year and that's all he really wanted for Christmas. Joyce was putting the presents under the tree making it look like a picture.
"So, Buffy's coming?" Joyce asked.
"What?" Angel asked and then realized what she meant as his mind was still focused on that steamy dream.
"Buffy, she's going to join us tomorrow?" Joyce asked arranging the presents.
"Uh, maybe," Angel answered. "Ok, going to get your gifts." Angel headed upstairs to his room. "And don't you peak either!" Angel yelled and walked into his room and then door shut with Buffy standing there. "Buffy?" He asked. She looked so lost, confused and out of it. "What's wrong?" He asked and looked around the room, it's been awhile since she's been in here.
"I, I, I had, I had to see you," She stammered and something was wrong and he didn't know what to do. She looked at him and she wanted him. After that dream and being apart and thinking about the kisses they shared since her return, he was always her mind. "I, you shouldn't be," But she wasn't making since as she looked up and down at him wishing that they could rip each other's clothes off.
"Buffy?" Angel had no clue what was happening.
"Take him." A voice whispered to her but only she could hear it. "Take him, he wants it, he begs for it."
"No," Buffy started to sob.
"Buffy?" Angel asked again but his voice sounded like she was under water. "Buffy?" She then pushed passed him and jumped out his window.
Angel drove to Giles' place and hoped the Watcher had more answers. This was getting bad. He knew she was seeing things and unless you can control it or find what is causing it it'll take over and drive you insane. Angel found Giles and by the look of his face Giles knew things were getting worse.
"We have to do something now, like right now." Angel demanded.
"I'm not sure what though Angel." Giles wanted to help but what can they do? Seeing things and its things only she can see she has to control it. She has to save herself if she's seeing things.
"These priest, give them to me." Angel needed to punch something physical. "She's slipping and if she's afraid of Elizabeth of turning,"
"We need to be calm Angel ok," Giles knew being wounded up doesn't yield results. Angel took a deep breath trying to calm himself.
"I can't lose her again." Angel explained.
"If she does turn to Elizabeth," Giles paused. "She came to me and asked that it would be to put her down not you." Angel's eyes widen. "She doesn't want you to do it, she doesn't want you to suffer that pain again."
"I'm suffering now." Angel stated and sighed. "When I thought she died, I died too. I don't hate her, I can try but I can't. I know it wasn't her and I've got to help her, she needs me, I'm all she has." Giles nodded understand that this wasn't about two people in love this was something else. This was about friendship something Buffy never had and something Angel needs to survive.
Buffy was home again but in total fear and slipping. The voices told her to drink him, to feel, to become what she should be, a monster, a demon.
"You will drink him sooner or later." Jenny explained and then morphed into her father. "Don't fight it, become what you were meant to be. There is no stopping it."
"There is." Buffy said and ran out of the mansion and her father smiled. She was not going to become Elizabeth again and if meant taking her own life, taking all that she was out of this world then so be it.
"You can't self sacrifice, you don't have the will!" Henry called out and Buffy turned around.
"I don't need will, just the sun." Buffy then left. She was hurting Angel being here and could hurt him even more if Elizabeth comes back. It was time to end it all, end his suffering, end hers.
Back at Giles' place Angel was back in research mode with Giles. Right now this was about to become the worst Christmas ever.
"A child shall be born from man and goat. It shall have two heads and the first shall only speak in riddles, what the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Angel then tossed the book in frustration but Giles ignored it.
"Here, " Giles spoke out and Angel looked up at him as they sat on the stairs of his apartment.
"Priests?" Angel asked standing up and sat next to him.
"Riddles though," Giles answered and went back to the book. "For they are the Harbingers of Death, nothing shall grow above or below them, no seed shall flower…" Angel looked confused. "They're rebels and they'll never be any good." Giles translated but something clicked in Angel. "Nothing," Angel took the book from him. "Yes, you may have it." Angel reread what Giles read out loud and closed it. "What?"
"I'll see you tomorrow at dinner." Angel then got up and left and Giles was now confused.
Angel drove to the Christmas tree lot and walked up to the gate that was locked. He took a step back and cleared the fence landing on the other side. Angel started to walk around looking and the air seemed very cold tonight. It was colder than usual and ever since the sun went down it dropped. You could see your breath as clear as day. Angel walked around looking and then came to the dead trees.
Angel then found an axe for the trees and picked it up and slammed it on the ground. This wasn't the most effected way to dig but so what he had to do something. The soil was loose and it didn't take long. Angel jumped into the hole and looked around holding the axe. He saw six priests chanting at a table.
"Party's over." Angel announced at they got up to attack him. Angel swung the axe killing all six without a problem. Just to be sure nothing would hurt Buffy he smashed the candles and the rocks all over the place. Then he looked up seeing Jenny standing there.
"Stupid little boy." She said but Angel knew that wasn't Jenny. Jenny then morphed into Henry. Angel sort of recognized him but how?
"You leave her alone, you can't take her!" Angel yelled as he stood there.
"You think you can fight me?" Henry asked. "I'm not a demon boy, I am something you can not imagine, I'm beyond life and death, I was here before all things and I will remain here after all things. Buffy belongs with us." Henry finished. "Buffy will be dead by sunrise."
"No." Angel wouldn't let that happen.
"You have no idea what you're dealing with." Then Henry morphed into what looked like a huge ram's head and Angel took off. "Dead by sunrise!"
Angel raced to his car and then sped off to the mansion but she wasn't there. He then started to search all over town. She needed to be somewhere where the sun hits the most. He knew of one spot call Kingman's Bluff a hilltop outside of town. Angel found the hill top but there was no way to get there with the car so he got as close as possible and ran up the side of the hill looking for her.
"Buffy!" He yelled for her searching. He needed to save her; he could save her this time. "Buffy!" Angel continued to run because sunrise was coming. Angel ran through the thick brushed and then saw the clearing ahead. "Buffy!" He then came to the clearing and there she was standing there. "Buffy," Angel got closer to her.
"Please go." She begged but he didn't. He couldn't let this happen not again.
"Buffy, I need you to come with me, I don't have time to explain everything but I need you to trust me." Angel begged to her. "That thing that was haunting you,"
"It was showing me the truth Angel, I'm nothing." Buffy looked to him and her eyes were full of tears. "I was never anything, I was never be something and I know why I'm here but I won't do it again."
"You came back for a reason Buffy!" Angel yelled in anger that she was going to take her own life not caring about him.
"To become her again! No!" Buffy screamed back. She refused to Elizabeth; if this was her chance to end Elizabeth then she'll do it.
"You know how to control it, you can fight the monster inside I know you can. Please get inside." Angel looked out to the east where the sun would be rising soon.
"I can't, it told me to kill you. It told me to lose my soul in you and become her." Buffy explained.
"I know I was there but what does it matter?" Angel asked trying to reason with her as time was running out.
"Because I wanted too! I wanted to so badly!" Buffy yelled louder. "I want you but I know it can never happen!" She started to cry. "It'll cost me all that I am but a part of me doesn't care. I'm not strong Angel, I never was and I'm tired of pretending that I am!" She had tears coming down her face. "Its not the demon in me that needs to be killed, it's the person, the human."
"We're all weak Buffy, I am too, and I've failed before. If this evil brought you back to do that to become her again then it needs you. That means you can hurt it. Buffy you have the power to do real good in this world. You can fight this because you are strong I've seen it." Angel was hoping he could convince her he needed to right now. "But you die now then you were worthless and just a monster." Angel was getting angry now. "Buffy please the sun!"
"Go! I don't want you here!" Buffy yelled but it was too late he was already here and he couldn't walk away not now. She could have let him die back in the sewers when the Master killed him but she didn't so he wasn't going to walk away either.
"You don't get to make that choice Buffy! You don't come into someone's life and make them care and then leave!" Angel yelled back at her and then grabbed her. She shoved him away and then he punched her. Buffy punched him back and he went down and she was crying. Buffy stared at him.
"What am I Angel!" She sobbed. "Am I a good person! I have nothing to live for! No one in this world ever cared about me!" Buffy sobbed more and went to the ground on her knees. Angel got up and crawled to her but there was a little space between them. Her face was in her hands as she sobbed. No one in this world cared about her well until now.
"I do." He whispered and Buffy looked up to him. "I care. You were my best friend Buffy." She looked at him with tears steaming down her tears. "I loved you, I still do." Angel then stood up and she gazed up before him. "I hate this, I hate that it's so hard and that we can hurt so much. But I'm still here, fighting, I'm standing right here asking you just to take my hand. It doesn't matter if we're together but I need you at my side."
Buffy started to sob again realizing what he was asking. He needed his best friend back. He was the only person in her two hundred years of existence that has cared about her so much and the time apart, what was going on now, this all proved to him that he needed her more than anyone in this world.
"You are strong I know it. Strong is fighting, it's never over, we never stop." Angel then backed away from her. "If you're meant to be saved then you will be. But if you're meant to burn then burn." Angel started to leave but then stopped as he saw something and looked up. Buffy felt it and looked around. It was snowing, she hasn't seen snow in awhile and Angel's never seen snow.
Angel turned around looking at her as she stood up and held out her hand letting the snow fall in it. They both looked up into the sky and the sun wasn't up it was just snowing. Angel walked closer to her s she looked up in the sky letting the snow hit her. She then looked at him. It doesn't snow this far down south in California but it was snowing now. Angel didn't believe in god but he believed in a higher power and that's the only thing he could think of as the snow fell.
"I'm not the only one who wants you here." He whispered and she jumped into his arms for a hug and sobbed. He then held his best friend and they both fell to their knees sobbing. He kissed her head and she hugged him tighter sinking her head into his shoulder. She pulled away and then couldn't help it but started to laugh. She was laughing and he smiled, she hasn't laughed in so long. He cupped her cheeks and leaned in and kissed her forehead. He pulled away and she reached out and pushed some of the snow out his hair. And they looked up to the falling snow.
The laugh then turned into crying and he pulled her closer. She was still alive and a weight was gone, someone wanted her here. As he held her Angel knew she was meant to be here for a reason. He didn't know the reason but he just wanted her back. She was able to overcome her thought of self-worthlessness and realized what she was. She thought no one ever loved her or even cared. But that wasn't true a person did care and most of all it was a man that cared. Maybe it was worth living again. She pulled away again with a soft smile and he smiled right back.
Buffy was at the piano playing Oh, Come All Ye Faithful Buffy sung it in Latin and Giles sung with her. She taught herself a long time ago to read music and play piano to help pass time when growing up. Once they got to the English part Faith, Xander and Oz sung with them as he strummed his guitar.
Willow was Jewish but it was fun. Joyce was so happy to have a full house on Christmas something that hasn't happened in years. Angel watched as his crew was together again, the first time they were all together again in full in nearly a year except Cordelia. Joyce was singing with them and Angel watched the perfect Christmas picture, his family. This was his family now and he'd die for them.
The song ended as Buffy started to play Angel's We Have Heard On High. Oz joined in as they sung. Angel came over as Joyce put her arm around her son's shoulder as she sung. Angel smiled as this turned out to be the best Christmas in years. For Buffy this was her first Christmas in two hundred and sixty three years. She was with family now and she smiled as she played the piano. It was snowing all day to and for once Buffy had her white Christmas with her family. This could be the start of a great new year and put away the old year and all the old years.
Night finally came and the last two people to leave were Buffy and Giles. The snow was still lightly falling. Buffy was happy not perfectly happy but better than she has been in a long time. Angel was half asleep after the huge dinner and sipping on homemade hot chocolate. His mom sat with him also having hot chocolate and there was a fire going with the Christmas tree lit with lights. Buffy sat near the tree still in some awe by it. Angel looked over to her knowing she was here for a reason.
"Joyce, Angel, Buffy come look," Giles was looking out the window and three came over and looked out. A choir was outside singing in Silent Night in German holding candles. The four went outside to hear it better and Joyce smiled. She put her arm around Angel as they listen. Angel looked to Buffy as she seemed captivated by it. He placed a hand on her shoulder and he pulled her into his arms to keep her warm from the snow. Buffy rested her head on his shoulder listening to the voices. Giles smiled a little as he was listening and he was with his family. Even for Giles it's been awhile since he spent the holidays with people he cared about.
Angel's best friend was back. They didn't solve all the issues but they were on the right path. There was something between, something strong and evil was trying to break it. It was friendship, that bond is a strong one. Angel and Buffy can be friends and protect each other and they will. Buffy listened wanting to cry but not tears of sadness but of happiness she was finding her purpose in this world.
"Merry Christmas Angel," She whispered to him.
"Merry Christmas Buffy," Angel repeated back and they listened as the choir finished Silent Night and sung We Wish You a Merry Christmas. It was a very merry Christmas indeed.
Two Days After New Years.
Buffy came home to her mansion after doing a sweep in the cemetery with Angel and Giles. There was nothing unusual and Angel will be back in school in two more days. Angel and Buffy have come to grips about the past and were friends again but that's all they would ever be. She was going to remain fighting by his side. Buffy walked into the living room and noticed something.
"Show yourself." She demanded and a man came out from the shadows.
"I like the place, it's got like a Batman, Bruce Wayne manor feel to it." The man spoke in an Irish accent.
"Who are you?" Buffy asked still standing there.
"Doyle." He answered.
"You, you don't smell human." Buffy added studying him.
"That's rude cause I am human." He then sneezed and went into demon form with spikes coming from his head. He shook it off and went into human form. "On my mother's side."
"Oh, you're a half breed." Buffy scoffed and started to walk to the training room.
"Yeah, Whistler was going to come but he's busy so I'm here." Doyle followed.
"Checking in?" Buffy asked him.
"Yeah, got word that someone was going to give up." Doyle answered. "You can't."
"And I didn't, right here helping the slayer as I should." Buffy then went to the couch and sat down.
"I'm no expert but someone's having relationship issues." Doyle then took another seat.
"Ok, why are you here?" Buffy sounded annoyed.
"The Powers were getting concerned, their champion was going to kill herself." Doyle answered.
"Champion?" Buffy asked and he nodded.
"Yup, you and Angel the champions of the human race." Doyle added.
"Still don't understand why me?" Buffy added. "After all I've done they still want me here."
"You got potential Buffy and you're proving it. Why did you take the job?" Doyle asked.
"I'm doing this to find salvation, why are you?" Buffy asked and he shrugged.
"We all got something to atone for. This isn't just about saving lives it's about saving souls possibly even your own. The Powers are concerned so here I am." Doyle looked around.
"And…what…do…you do?" Buffy asked.
"Well, one I'm here to make sure you and the slayer are fighting together not at each other also I get visions I can see things before they happen so think of me as an early warning system. You and the slayer are going to need it something is growing in the dark and it's big." Doyle finished. "You ready to take on a whole new level of fighting?" Buffy shrugged. "He's going to need you, we need you. You two are this unforeseen force. Why do you think they tried to kill you?"
Buffy thought about it and maybe Angel was right, she was powerful and can hurt evil and either she turns or dies. Doyle smiled a little.
"So, I'll take the upstairs?" Doyle asked and Buffy looked confused.
"You're living here?" Buffy asked and he shrugged.
"To be forgiven you need to be humble, got any food?" Doyle asked as he got up and walked to the kitchen. Buffy looked up wondering if god or the Powers That Be were just playing a sick joke. But if Doyle is right and something was growing in the dark then she and Angel might be the only ones to stop it. She let out a sigh hearing Doyle go through her kitchen and she just cleaned it. She went to make sure that he didn't break anything or dirty it up. "Got any good booze, say we drink to the Powers." Buffy sighed but drinking didn't sound so bad, it's been a rough few months.
I hoped you like this chapter even though Angel and Buffy are not together like they were in the show. But they are healing and that's important. Also Doyle has entered. I have a review in the forum for more about this chapter.
Update on the summer options. Friday the voting ends and then Saturday I will post chapter 11 with the winning option. Just remember option 1 is chapter 11 will be the mid-chapter finale/mid-season finale and the rest will get posted in July. Option 2 is I post the entire story next week and you wait until August for Book 4. If you don't want to vote then send me a message on the option you want. Remember majority rules.
Again more in the forum about this chapter, a second look into chapter 11, don't forget to vote and chapter 11 will be up Saturday. Thanks for reading, comments, reviews are always welcomed.
Chapter 11 Fairytales
Giles was called and was at Buffy's and Angel explained what he saw as Buffy came from the kitchen with hot tea for everyone. Giles gladly took some as she sat on the couch. Angel was in the recliner as he finished the story. Doyle was there too.
"So, not vampires." Giles stated and Buffy pulled out a piece of paper and set it on the coffee table.
"This symbol was on their hands." She stated and Giles studied the paper.
"Well, a symbol on a victim something like this can suggest a ritual murder." Giles explained.
"Is this symbol demonic or something in witchcraft?" Buffy asked knowing that while they are used interchangeably they meant very different things.
"You mean people did this?" Angel asked sounding just a little upset. "Humans did this?"
"Possibly," Giles didn't confirm or deny it knowing the subject was getting testy. Buffy got up quickly and Angel knew she was going to grab some books and this put a whole new prospective on things.
"While you're in there Buffy find me a loop hole about the whole slayers don't kill people." Angel added.