Chapter 29 Let it Begin
A/N: Guess what time it is? No not adventure time it's time for the Olympic Games. This is a short chapter because I broke up her show for the games. Two chapters left after this one. But have no fear another love story is on its way.
A/N: Cue the Olympic Anthem (Bugler's Dream) by Leo Arnud and the Olympic Fanfare by Sir John Williams. Go Team USA and Go World!
Angel packed all his things and his books. While in Russia he would be sending his stuff to his professors. For the most part he got ahead on everything so he could enjoy everything. He was excited he was going to the Olympics him going to the greatest world event and he was going. Not only that but Buffy was performing. Buffy won back her National title and now she was seven for six and he hoped by the end of March she would seven one seven.
He had a flight to LA international and that would take him to Japan and then from Japan to Russia. He would meet Willow, Spike, Xander, Buffy, Cordelia and Doyle at the airport and then they would all go to the hotel together. Buffy had a different hotel and she was already there. The Olympics were a few days away and Buffy was invited to run with the Olympic torch and hand it off. He had his TV on because that's what was happening now. And there she was on TV running with the torch that would soon signify the games have begun.
Russia was packed as everyone poured into Sochi for the games. Angel walked the airport and then heard his name and he looked up it was Xander flagging him down. The five friends met up and greeted each other. They headed off and got a few cabs and went to the hotel. At the hotel they found Joyce waiting for them. Angel and Joyce hugged and then Dawn got into his arms.
"Welcome to Russia." Joyce said smiling she couldn't believe she was here too. "Come on," She led the group to their rooms. Cordelia and Willow had a room, Spike and Xander and then Angel and Doyle. This wasn't a rinky hotel this was classy upscale hotel Buffy's money was paying for this. Angel looked in the room seeing two queen size plush beds and these were not hotel rooms these were suits. Cordelia then rushed in.
"You see this place oh my God we're like kings." She giggled and Angel smiled Buffy did very well. 'Thank you Nike.' He said to himself and the boys got settled.
"Look at this TV." Doyle pointed out in the living room. "We need it." Angel nodded oh yes they did. On the beds were fresh towels and the place was awesome. Joyce then knocked as the boys settled in.
"Hungry?" She asked and they nodded. To have a world champion as a girlfriend had some nice perks like trying new food.
The opening ceremony was today and ice rink was filling up. This rink was huge as Angel sat in his seat. He could see the Olympic rings everywhere and all across the way people waved flags showing where they came from and who they were rooting for. The group brought their own flags to wave and cheer. Dawn saw on Angel's lap to keep warm as they waited for the big event.
Back in Sunnydale at the pub and TVs across the town were on ready to view the opening ceremony. Just days ago the town had a huge party for Buffy sending her away and supporting her. The town was colored red, white, blue and Buffy. Claire sat down with Patrick ready to watch. The TV showed the crowds and they hoped to see Angel somewhere in the sea of people.
At the rink the lights started to dim and Angel's got excited never once did it ever cross his mind he would be here. The crowds quiet down up on a ledge there were two people and it looked like they threw something and then the ice lit up in parts.
"Look Angel!" Dawn pointed and he smiled. She was already having a good time. Then a person was on the ice and she started to skate to soft music. Then someone was speaking telling a story of the ice in the winter time. Then a wire picked up the skater but she skated across the air and people clapped in awe. The theme was "When in Dreams," and when the skater dipped down and touch the ice a light would form and then it looked like frost rippled on the ice. Angel didn't say anything he just watched in amazement.
The skater touched the ice and then something from the top of the rink came down continuing the ceremony. But the sweet music went away and the place got foggy and lights flashed like lightening. It was mimicking a storm coming through threatening the happy time the happy and peaceful dream. Then the music died down a voice came over and spoke. Then from the roof came skaters down on wires and Dawn's face was priceless.
"They're flying!" She screamed and Angel smiled she would remember this for her whole life and so would he. The skaters touched down and started to skate both on the ice and in the air. But they weren't just skaters they were snowboarders, speed skaters anything that had to do with the winter sports.
"That is awesome." Xander muttered smiling everyone was in the show watching. Then on the screen it showed the athletes of each sport and a clip of them performing.
"Buffy!" Dawn cried pointing seeing her sister and Angel smiled. Then the ice had more people skating and dancing. Their suits and skates lit up too. The ice was lit up in all different colors now and the people clapped and cheered seeing the show. The ceremony continued with fantastic lights and music that dazzled everyone.
Then the ice cleared and the Present of the Russian Federation came out on the ice to begin the ceremony and to officially open the games. Once that happened he then began the presentation of the athletes and the countries they were representing. The gang waited for USA to be called and when they were they looked for Buffy calling out her name. Buffy walked onto the ice smiling she was here she was actually here this was a dream come true. She waved to the crowds she knew there was no way she would find her mother and Angel in this sea of people she knew they were out there cheering for her. The host county's athletes came out and they all stood there and the Russian Federation national anthem was played. Angel stood there listening as it was sung in the Russian langue and it was rather cool. It ended and the rink roared as the games were about to start. On the huge screen it showed the outside of the rink and Olympic fire was started and fireworks went off all over the city.
A few days had passed and now it was time for the short program for the women's figure skating. The gang took up a whole row and joining them were doctor Sweets and Booth they weren't going to miss this for the world. A few skaters had gone already getting some ok marks. On the ice now was Darla she was still on the team. The group rooted for her only because she was representing their country and that was the only reason. She finished but not cleanly she had few flubs and that hurt her a little.
A few more skaters came on and then well save the best last right.
"Representing the United States Buffy Summers." An announcer said and Buffy came on the ice and the gang went wild. Buffy did a few laps to warm up. Giles was off to the side and he was ready as Maggie Walsh was there too. Back at home on the TV at the pub Patrick and Claire were glued to the TV. Currently Japan was first and Darla allowed the United States to hold third place. 'It's not just a legacy but an example that Buffy has done. So many skaters can't believe they are on the same ice as her.' Patrick and Claire heard. The crowds quiet it down as she skated to the center of the rink. Her leotard was a deep royal purple with a hint of a gold sparkle it looked stunning on her. She was then ready and the music started it had a Middle Eastern feel with the instruments. Buffy let one leg stretch out on the ice and she skated in a circle on the ice.
She did the same circle only switching feet. 'This is a great short program.' Buffy was off skating slow and controlled very difficult to do. She knew how to perform on the ice extending her arms and her whole self as she skated it showed the maturity she had. Then the music picked up and so did she. She did a triple flip landing it like it was the easiest thing in the world and she got a roar for it. She skated around the rink with beauty but hold a stern face to keep the tension. She then jumped doing a triple toe into a double and got another roar. Angel clapped wildly cheering.
At the pub everyone clapped and then Buffy went into a death drop to a camel spin. She broke out of the spin and continued onwards. 'Wow this is just wow,' Buffy had the people hooked. She then did a triple axel landing and then went into a deep layback spine and then pulled her back leg up and behind her. Everyone was clapping for her. 'This crowd just loves Buffy.' Buffy pulled out of the spin and continued on. 'There's strength and a fire here that's amazing to see,' Buffy then went into a spiral down the ice and everyone clapped. Most skaters smile but her face stayed serious. 'Oh look at that face she's not giving in for that one you don't want to get in her way.' Buffy got out of the spiral and did some footwork on the ice. The footwork was amazing as she went down the ice and everyone cheered her on. She then did a stag jump high in the air landing with easy. She then ran on the ice and jumped again and the crowds got louder.
She went into another camel spin to a sit spin and back up with one arm up and another out with her back arched a little and it looked so elegant and one leg crossed behind her and out. She pulled herself centered and then stopped did a lung and it was over. People didn't want it to be over and they clapped she held a serious face as she held the end pose and then once she stood up the smile was there. 'Wow well she answered to the other skaters. Besides who wants to follow that?'
"Buffy Summers of the United States." And the crowds kept clapping. She took her bow and smiled blowing kisses as it began to rain roses. On the side Giles was happy he was very happy. In the stands the gang high fived each other clapping waving their flags. Buffy took another bow and left the ice and met up with Giles. Then she heard it 'USA, USA, USA' the people chanted. At Sunnydale the pub was going nuts and the score weren't even out yet.
Buffy sat in the score box with Giles and Maggie as they waited. She was shaking a little hoping she did well she was the last skater and the score she had to beat to be placed in the top three was 56.2 and to be first she needed higher than a 60.1. She took a deep breath and waited as the scores were tallied up. In the stands Joyce reached for Angel's hand and he took it they all held hands praying. Then everyone looked up to the screen and the score was shown a 70.4 and Buffy screamed and everyone cheered. Angel jumped up and down screaming and Joyce had tears. Angel and Doyle high fived and hugged jumping in excitement. Buffy hugged Giles and he was screaming job well done because the rink was so loud then the placements came up and Buffy was first and she screamed again and the crowds went wilder.
Back in Sunnydale people were cheering at the pub and in the streets this was just the short program and she was on top. The streets of Sunnydale would be partying all night. This wasn't the victory yet but it was damn close she was now four minutes away from gold. Darla was kicked off the top three she should be happy an American was winning but it wasn't her the fall cost her big time but it wasn't over not by a long shot. She heard the crowds chanting USA, USA, USA and flags were waving everywhere. Some people were wondering if Buffy was going to do the quad toe loop in the next show it was written in but was she going to do it?
After the show Buffy found the hotel where her family was and went in. Angel was going to get some ice for his room and had the bucket with him. He shut his door and slipped the key in his pocket and then he saw Buffy down the hall and he smiled she took off in a sprint and he dropped the empty ice bucket and jumped into his arms wrapping her entire body around them. Thank god he was strong otherwise he would have went down. They held each other for a moment and then she eased herself to the floor and they shared a kiss.
"You were amazing yesterday." He said and she smiled big.
The young couple went out on the town around Sochi. The city was off of the Black Sea and they decided to have dinner at a place looking out to the sea as it was lit up by lights of the night. The city was very beautiful she loved the buildings and everything. This was the third country Angel has been too now and he hoped there was plenty more in the future. They feasted on new food that was so good they wanted to keep eating it. Later they walked the streets hand and hand in the cold night. They could see the mountains in the distance and it was amazing.
Finally they were back at the hotel but before she would leave him and head back to her hotel they kissed good night. The show that really counted was coming up. She was nervous the short program was easy she made sure it was to get a high point value and with the artistic style she gave it helped. She was in first place but that didn't mean anything. It could all change real fast.
The big day was here the day Buffy has waited but she needed to wait a little longer. Darla was up next then another skater then Buffy. Darla was having a bad day her warm up wasn't well she was falling. Her knee was taped up because after the short program she felt something get pulled. It wasn't enough to take her out but it was she needed the tape. Darla skated to the side of the rink where her coach Lindsey and Maggie were. Her name hadn't been called yet so she could rest but she was worried. Then her name was announced and she went to the rink.
Darla took her ready pose and the music started up. There was no doubt she was beautiful on the ice but the spark wasn't there right now. She then did her opening triple Lutz into a double toe loop she didn't fall but she stepped out of the double toe landing and kept going. If Darla wanted to be on the podium she couldn't be making errors like that those needed to be clean. She did another triple double combination and landed but it was shaky. She then did a single triple loop but when she landed her ankle rolled under a little. The jumps were fine but the landings were killing her and she continued on. Whatever was going on in her head she needed to break free from it. The other American skater failed to be in the top five and it was up Buffy and Darla and Darla wasn't looking promising.
She jumped again doing a double axel and finally landed it and hopefully that would give her some confidence again. She then went into a spiral but as it ended she was slipping she managed to pull out of it before falling over. Her spin combinations looked just fine but that wasn't going to save her. She then set up for a jump and she wanted to do the quad toe loop. She had been practicing it and something told her to do it and she did but she barely got the fourth rotation in and the landing was less than good. She fell on the landing you heard everyone gasp. Lindsey bowed his head any shot of her winning gold and silver was done. She had a chance for bronze though. Maggie left the side of the rink and sat down Buffy was the last hope at the moment.
Darla got back up and continued and did a triple flip and landed it just fine. Her footwork and spins were fine and she ended but tears came out and they weren't tears of joy. She took a bow and left the ice and into Lindsey's arms crying. He did his best to calm her as they waited for the scores. Darla ended up with a 165.2 score and she was sitting still second but two more skaters had yet to perform and that will change everything. Buffy was nervous the pressure to win gold for America fell completely on her.
The second to last skater did well and now it was Buffy's turn. Buffy got out on the ice and got a roar of cheering. She was first coming in and now it was all or nothing. She skated around the rink taking in deep breaths and she needed to focus. This was it she was doing this for her country, for her friends, for her family, for Angel and herself. Giles stood off to the side and waited this was the moment they've both been waiting for since she began skating and now did he do her justice as a coach? Buffy took center rink and was ready there was no turning back it was now or never.
And yup I'm making you wait because I am mean and no I thought this should be broken up. So next chapter will Buffy win and bring home the gold? Two chapters left my readers. Oh and I decided I'll announce my next love story now. Anyone heard of Cold Mountain? Yes that is the next love story I have and the first three chapters are done just tweaking them and the first is ready to be posted. So you as readers can vote should I wait until this is over because two more chapters and it's done or do you want the new story now. The title of the new story is called My Ain True Love. So with that in mind what's going to happen next and can you wait for the new story? Comments and reviews are welcomed thanks for reading.
