Chapter 24
This time we are once again in the Sunnydale library, but unlike last time it doesn't get to me as much. I guess I've accepted my new life more so than last time and it's nice to have some reminder of my old one. We walk hand in hand and sit down at the table in the middle… just as we always did.
A few minutes later Whistler walks in and sits down next to us. "Good job with the whole Eyghon thing by the way."
"How the hell did you let that happen!" I exclaim. "He almost killed us…again."
"Yeah sorry about that. None of that was supposed to happen."
Angel growls, "Nothing about us can ever go the way they were meant to do they?"
"Nope," he laughs. "But the Dark Lord thing was supposed to happen. And you two did pull it off without a hitch."
"Except for the almost dying thing," I laugh dryly. "We really need to stop doing that."
"Agreed," Angel nods. "We do have a really bad habit of getting into bad situations."
"They find us, we don't find them."
"We still get in them."
"Maybe they're attracted to your good looks Mr. Broody."
At this point both of us are cracking up and the messenger demon is glaring at us. Personally I can't help it though. The past few weeks had been such hell that it felt good to both slayer and ex-vampire to just laugh at the ridiculousness of nothing in particular. Well I have to admit my comment was incredibly funny, but whatever.
"Funny," Whistler sighs, "Now why are you guys here. There's something on your mind."
"What did happen with Eyghon?" Angel asks. "I trapped him."
"We released your demon, forgot about him and when Voldermort was collecting demons he ran for the chance to kill you guys again. As I said we should have thought about it. But on the bright side we have him locked up much better this time."
I could point out that they've said that type of thing before, but I refrain from it. "Okay but I thought we entered a new world or dimension or whatever. So how the hell did a demon from out reality cross over?"
He runs a hand through his hair, "This is where it gets complicated."
"Because interdimesnsion travel is ever uncomplicated," Angel whispers and I nudge him to be quiet."
"As I was saying, the dimensions have weak spots as you know, similar to hellmouths with less power. Anyone can reach through these weak spots if they know how."
"Then why couldn't we get back to Sunnydale?"
"That would have been much too difficult for the powers. It would have been more of a resurrection which is tricky business and the time travel through centuries could have burned you alive. As I've said your lives there were ended. Unlike normal beings the Powers or lower demons working for them like me can cross without these weak spots, but we can also stop something from crossing over, so don't bother trying. Are you that unhappy here anyway?"
I ponder this for a moment. Ron and Harry are great friends, Angel's human, I actually am good at school, there's quidditch, magic, and well except for almost getting killed it is pretty good. And hey we would be getting killed anywhere.
Willow and I once played that game anywhere but here, and I wished I was on a deserted tropical island with Angel, away from danger. Looking back I understand why I wished it, but it wouldn't have helped. No matter where we are we would still run into trouble. And even though we got people in danger through Eyghon, Voldermort would have risen sa he did no matter what. We weren't the cause of vault 314.
Angel and I did save lievs this year though, and we could continue. So overall I guess Whistler has a point, as much as I still miss my life in Sunnydale I wouldn't want to go back. As he said our lives there were over, all that's missing is that bit of closure, but I guess nobody really ever gets that.
"At least here I have a heartbeat," Angel says after a moment
. "And a sense of humor," I giggle before sobering up and turning back to Whistler, "Could a dead soul climb through these portals."
"Close, but not quite sweetheart. That's not what happened with Jenny Calendar."
"It was her," Angel utters. "You guys brought her to us."
"Point for the ex vamp," Whistler smiles and the doors to the library open and in walks Jenny.
Now we were never that close, near the end I kind of hated her, but she was still a connection to the past that died because of me, twice. So as soon as she crosses the threshold I get up. Walk over to her. And give her a hug. "Ms. Calendar."
"Buffy," her lips turn upwards. "Angel. It's nice to speak to the both of you openly without the pretenses of the past year."
"So it was you and not Eyghon?"
"He wore me near the end, but not the entire time. It was mostly me."
"Thanks for making things awkward in class, "I roll my eyes.
"Sorry I couldn't help it."
Angel frowns, "How can you look at us like that? We killed you…twice. Once by my own hands, yet you stand here as if nothing happened."
"Angel I never blamed you for any of that. It was all meant to happen this way. I want to apologize to you for not mentioning the curse that made you revert to Angelus. It was wrong of me, I was scared of your reactions and judgment."
"Thank you," she nods. "And I must commend you for fitting in as 11 year olds and sticking to your cover story. Sorry I made it a bit difficult."
We just smile at her before Whistler steps in between us, "It's time for you to go Jenny."
Angel shakes his head as a goodbye and I hug her once more. Leaving my side Angel speaks again, "tell them all I'm sorry please."
She nods and I add, "And let them all know we love and miss them."
"Even Xander," Angel chuckles and we all crack a smile.
Whistler snaps his fingers and she mists away. I shed a tear; I just wish I knew all year about this so that I could have found a connection sooner. The demon turns to us, "You two need to go back too."
"Care to give us a heads up in what's to come?"
"Why would I do that? That ruins all the fun."
He doesn't allow us a chance to answer and suddenly we're standing back in the room of requirement standing with each other and staring at the wall.