Disclaimer: I own nothing. Everything belongs to Joss Whedon, etc.
Life as a Scooby
By
Anessa Ramsey
I should have known better. I was popular, rich, had a huge group of friends, and
dated the most gorgeous guys in school. The second I realized that Buffy Summers was
strange I should have stayed away from her and her weird little group of friends. Instead
I went and fell in love with Xander Harris, one of her sidekicks. I chose him over all the
popularity I achieved and he broke my heart. It was because of them that I learned all
about the things that go bump in the night.
I used to think that if Buffy had never come to Sunnydale I'd still be ignorant of
vampires, demons, and the other evils in the world but I probably would have never
survived high school. It took a demon to show me that. I used to be shallow and petty.
Learning about demons and dealing in death and pain on a daily basis has changed me.
Working for Angel has changed me.
I can honestly say that Angel's my best friend. We really didn't get to know each
other in Sunnydale because he was so wrapped up in Buffy and trying to send the world
to hell. Here in LA, though, he's my saving grace. I live in an apartment haunted by a
ghost and am trying to break into show business. I haven't been having very much luck.
I would have ended up on the street but Angel gave me a job.
Up until recently he's been so brooding and unhappy. I know that he's filled with
guilt over his past but there was nothing that gave him any joy. Guilt consumed him. I
know that I shouldn't be thankful that Xander got Willow killed, but I look at Angel now
and I can't help but be grateful for it. Willow's death not only gave him back the love of
his life but brought a new love to him as well.
When I learned what Xander had done I can't say that I was surprised. He never
did accept change easily and someone should have realized that he'd attempt something
more drastic when his plan to have Angel kill Spike didn't work out.
The call came around midnight. We were all just hanging out waiting for a new
case to come in when the phone rang. It was Buffy. Angel was surprised because she
never called him. It was always Giles who kept in contact with us. I can still see the look
on his face when she told him. It was like his heart had been torn out of his chest. He
just hung up the phone and ordered us to get in the car. When Doyle asked what was
going on all he said was that we were going to Sunnydale.
On the way up we finally managed to learn what happened. I couldn't believe
that Spike had to turn Willow or that they were going to have their souls restored. They
also found a way to anchor Angel's soul. I was so happy for him. I was also concerned.
I knew he loved Buffy…everyone knew that. But Willow and I were the only two who
knew that he was still in love with Spike. About a half hour outside of Sunnydale I asked
him who he would choose. He didn't answer but I knew.
When we walked into a club called Morrigan's Lair he ignored everyone else and
went straight to Spike. Before anyone could say a word they were clinging to each other
purring, Angel's hand stroking Spike's hair. I knew then that things were going to be
different between them. I also knew that things in LA were going to change. There was
no way Angel would leave Spike behind and he wouldn't get Spike without Willow. I
was shocked to see a sappy grin plastered on Buffy's face. It was obvious that she knew
about Angel and Spike's past. No one else had a clue what was going on but we all still
turned our backs, giving them a moment of privacy. They took that opportunity to find a
private place to talk. They never noticed Willow standing on the walkway above the
dance floor smiling down at them.
It's been three weeks since that night. We returned to LA and I was right about
things being different. I've never seen Angel smile so much. He even laughs sometimes.
Having Spike and Willow here has been wonderful. I thought that having Spike around
would drive us all crazy, but he's different now that he has his soul. Don't get me wrong,
he still dresses and talks like a punk but he doesn't set out to purposely annoy people.
He's quiet and a little shy, which is definitely not what I expected. I know that he doesn't
sleep well and that he has nightmares every night, but Willow says he's coping. I know
being around Angel helps. Who better to help him through getting his soul back than
someone who's had his for eighty years?
Willow and I have become good friends. We have more in common now than we
did in high school. All those changes Xander hated have made it easier for us to find
common ground. Sometimes she stays over with me to keep me company and I admit
that it's nice to have a girl to talk to. I don't even mind talking to her about her
relationship with Angel and Spike, though I did ask her to keep certain details to herself.
If you would have told me four years ago that I'd be spending my life fighting
demons and the forces of darkness I would have laughed in your face and made some
scathing comment about you. Now I wouldn't have it any other way. I have a job that I
love and a group of friends that include a half demon who gets head splitting visions from
the Powers That Be and three vampires with souls. You probably think it's weird, but for
me this is normal. It's all just a part of life as a Scooby.