Part Ten
"He's not the same," was all Cordelia could get out before she heard the 'tell tale' beeps, of an answering machine hanging up.
"Shit!" she cursed, wishing that Dawn and Xander would've gotten mobile phones like she told them.
"But no. They wanted to have time away from people," Cordelia bitterly spat out. "Well that doesn't help me now," She yelled at the phone on her desk.
She actually admired them for their stance. Wesley and her couldn't live with out the ease of a mobile phone, but there was sometimes when she wished she could get rid of it.
Her next thought then was to call Wesley. Picking up the phone, she dialed the number, just as Wesley walked through the door.
"Cordy?" he asked, having heard Cordelia curse while he was still in the hallway.
Cordelia turned her head as she recognised the sound of worry in Wes's voice. "I...I think we've got trouble."
"What happened?" Wesley asked walking over to his girlfriend.
"Angel's back," Cordelia answered. "My god, he's actually back." Just now Cordelia was letting that sink into her head.
"My word, that's great," Wesley replied. "First Xander, now Angel..." he stopped when he saw how Cordelia was looking at him. "Where is he?"
"He took off. He was sort of quiet, till I mentioned how good it was to have him and Xander back in such a short time, then Angel flipped out."
"Flipped out, how?"
"He went nuts...," Cordelia replied, still fighting the myriad of emotions inside her. It should've been a happy day, to finally have Angel back again. For a long time they were as close as a family. Angel for all intensive purposes was her brother. They supported one and other, through every trial they went through. But it all changed when Buffy died. Angel left, and in her heart Cordelia felt she would never see him again.
But he was back. And although she as thrilled be the news, the way his demeanor changed when he found out that Xander was alive, sent a chill down her spine.
"He grabbed me, demanded to know where he was," she said, a sad edge creeping into her voice. "He frightened me, Wesley. Even though he is human now, I actually thought he might hurt me."
"Did you tell him?" Wesley asked, very concerned for this turn of events.
"Yes," Cordelia replied a little guiltily. "I didn't want too, but he was really scaring me, Wes."
Wesley put her arm around her, and held her tenderly, feeling very protective towards Cordelia at that moment. When he felt Cordelia's body shaking, his anger rose inside, but he kept in hidden.
"Do you think he has headed up to Sunnydale?"
"All he said was that he now could fix everything." Cordelia looked at Wesley as she wondered what was going on. "Why is he after Xander?"
"I don't know, Cordy. I don't know. Have you called them?"
"I tried but I only got the answering machine, I.." Cordelia spoke with a great deal of apprehension. "I'm really worried."
"As am I, but we can't do anything for them here." Wesley got up, pulling Cordelia out of her seat with him. "I think we need to be in Sunnydale for a few days."
************
Two Days Later
The last vestiges of sunlight gave the balcony a warm orange glow, providing a sensual backdrop to the two people who were sitting together on the outdoor couch.
They had done this on the first night here, and now two days later, it had become a habit, that neither of them wanted to break. Xander sat back against the cushions and Dawn leant back against him, her back molded into his front. Xander's arms were wrapped around the front of her body, while she in turn wrapped her arms around him. They were almost one, as they watched the sun set on another day in paradise.
"We could stay her forever?" Xander whispered into Dawn's ear.
"At least until the money ran out," Dawn replied jokingly.
"Shatter my dreams," Xander retorted, bending down and kissing Dawn as she looked up.
"I'm not going anywhere," Dawn stated after the kiss broke.
"So you can put up with me then?" Xander asked.
Dawn turned her self around and laid down on top of him, her face only inches from his. "You are the only thing I would ever turn my back on that sunset for," she replied, softly but seriously.
Xander moved his head slightly up and kissed her again. "I'll be there whenever you turn around."
Dawn smiled again, before deciding they had talked enough. She met his lips with all the passion she had kept building up over they day.
In her mind, in those few scant seconds when she wasn't thinking about Xander, she was glad they had room service at hotels.
************
Wesley handed a cup of coffee to Cordelia, who took it gratefully. "Maybe he didn't come here?" Wesley offered, not really believing himself.
They had come straight up to Sunnydale that night, two days ago, but found no sign of Xander or Dawn. Immediately they wondered if Angel had arrived there first, but they discounted that fact, more out of hope that their former friend hadn't done something that he shouldn't have, then any actual evidence. The next day, they had gone to Xander and Dawn's workplaces. It quickly became apparent they were away on a holiday. Thankfully they seemed to have missed Angel, having left the same day he had shown up in LA.
It was a great relief to both of them, but the frustration grew when Dawn's work refused to give out any details to them, apart from the fact they would be back in around a week. Xander's work on the other hand, had no idea where he went. Neither of the places of employment had been visited by anyone matching Angel's appearance, so Wesley and Cordelia both believed that Angel had no idea where they were. Which was more good news.
After that the decision was made to stay in Sunnydale. Not only would they be close when Xander and Dawn returned, but it may give them a chance to get to Angel and find out what he was up to, before he caused any problems. They had a lot of loyalty and sympathy for their former boss, but Xander and Dawn were there closest friends and they wouldn't let anything happen to them.
"Wishful thinking," Cordelia said, patting Wesley on the hand to let him know she appreciated it.
"He could be out there, now. Watching us." Wesley looked around outside the car window, but saw no one. "Why doesn't he come and talk to us, if he is out there?"
Cordelia could hear the frustration in Wesley's voice. It matched her own mood. "I don't think he is the same Angel we knew and loved."
Wesley nodded, remember back five years ago. "He was never the same after Buffy's death."
"None of us were," Cordelia replied in an almost whisper.
******************
As the Blade came crashing down, Xander couldn't turn away, seeing for the hundredth time, the death blow strike Buffy. And like every other time it happened, Xander jolted out of his sleep. Though as the dreams went on each other night, Xander became harder in his reactions. The tears no longer fell, although he always felt the same sense of loss and helplessness. He felt like it killed him a little more inside, each time he was forced to witness Buffy's death. Not that it was Buffy's actual death. But his mind, in it's own sick little game, had decided to inflict its own version on him.
"Honey," Dawn spoke as she woke up from Xander's jolt.
Xander silently cursed again, hating that every night he had one of his nightmares, it also meant Dawn would be woken up. He was only thankful it wasn't every night.
"I'm okay," he said, lying himself back down next to her. As he did, Dawn rolled her arm over and wrapped it around him.
She no longer had to ask what happened. Dawn just wished she could take the pain away. Sometimes it seemed like it was over, but other nights, even after what had been a perfect day, the nightmare returned. Dawn wondered if Xander's subconscious would ever let him forgive himself. She loved him for it, but Cordelia's words 10 years ago kept on coming back to her. It was almost haunting what she said.
"I think sometimes all he wanted to do, was keep the Summers' sister's safe."
As much as Dawn new that was correct, she also knew he would be haunted by his guilt at not being able to protect Buffy.
****************
Two Days later
The waves crashed against the foreshore, as Xander and Dawn walked past hand in hand, enjoying the last hours, before the reality known as Sunnydale beckoned them back.
The five days away had cemented their feelings stronger, then either of them had expected, and though they never would've thought it before, San Diego would always have a special place in their hearts.
They saw a street vendor selling ice creams and walked over, each getting a double scoop of their favourite flavour. After paying, they found a nearby bench seat and sat down to enjoy the creamy taste before it melted down their arms.
Xander turned to Dawn and saw that she had left herself with an ice cream moustache. He smiled at her and wiped it off tenderly with one of the napkins they took from the vendor.
Once they had finished the ice creams they moved together, savouring the last moments and images from the time away.
"I love you," Xander said after a moment. It was spoken so quietly that Dawn almost didn't hear it.
He had never said that to her before, and she hadn't either. It was a boundary that neither of them wanted to approach till that moment. But after Dawn had made sure, in her own head, that she hadn't imagined those words, she quickly told him her own feelings.
"I love you, so much," she said with a grin that told Xander just exactly how much those words meant to her.
************
Five Hours later
As Xander pulled the car into the driveway of their home, he glanced over at the passenger seat, smiling to himself when he saw that she was still asleep.
He decided to leave the luggage for now. He hated to have to wake her up, but he doubted he could get her up to bed, without doing so.
"Dawn," he gently said, lightly stroking her face as he did.
After a few seconds, Dawn's eyes fluttered open and she as she gazed into the eyes of the man she loved, she felt nothing but contentment.
"Are we home?" she asked the sensation of sleep still not totally worn off.
"Yeah, we are." Xander helped her up and out of the car, holding her steady till she was sure on her feet. "I didn't want to wake you."
"Aww, Honey," she replied thinking it cute. She gave him another hug, which Xander didn't mind in the slightest. Pulling back she grasped his hand, and followed him to the front door, then inside the house.
"Well since you are awake, do you want a drink?"
"Yeah, thanks," Dawn replied, before walking off to the kitchen, her hand still entwined with Xander's. When they got there, Xander noticed the answering machine flashing its red light at them.
"Looks like some one wanted us," Xander joked.
"I'll check it," Dawn replied, and pushed the button. As she did the sound of someone knocking on the front door, disturbed their thoughts.
"I'll get it," Dawn said, seeing that Xander was halfway through pouring out some juice.
"Okay," Xander replied with a smile, secretly hoping that whoever was at the door would be leaving soon. They had one last night before work and even though they weren't at the resort anymore, it was the last night of holidays.
Jus then Cordelia's voice came through the answer machine.
[Dawn!...Xander!...Comon you guys pick up...]
Dawn got to the door, and reached up to open it.
[Are you there!...]
As the door opened, Dawn gasped loudly in shock.
[If you aren't there, please ring me back when you get in. It's very important. It's Angel. He was here. I think he is heading your way...]
"Angel!" Dawn exclaimed.
"Dawn!" Xander called out, hearing her mention his name just after Cordelia had. He started to run towards the front door.
[He's...he's not the same.]
He stopped in his tracks at the site in front of him. As his eyes met Angel's, all Xander could think of was a showdown in a hospital 13 years ago.
The big difference this time was the woman he swore in his heart to protect was between the two of them, but closer to Angel.
End Part 10