Title: Obstacles
Author: eva
Email: lllwickedchildlll@yahoo.com
Summary: LA's own infamous singing and soul-helping demon has an interesting
dream involving Angel and Buffy. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: The characters in this story are the property of WB, FOX, Mutant Enemy,
and Joss... I think.
Author's Note: I want to thank Alice and Kathy, my beautiful beta readers. Without you guys, I wouldn't be where I am now. Hahaha...
Feedback: What author doesn't enjoy feedback?
Part One-
Lorne Green's Dream
There was never anything good on television anymore. Nowadays, it was all about sex,
greasy-haired guys teenage girls fawn over, terrible plots, and more sex. A lot of sex.
More than necessary sex. God, why am I even watching TV? All the quality shows
ended a decade ago. Like Bonanza. Now there was a good show.
Then I remembered why I was subjecting my brain to such mindless drivel. Gunn was
patrolling in his old neighborhood for vampires, Wesley was at some demon
convention, Cordelia was shopping, and I had offered to go with them all, even Cordy,
but they all refused, claiming they could do whatever they planned to do by themselves.
I think they all just wanted to take a break from me and from each other. After all, we
are practically living together.
So here I am, sitting in my lonely and empty hotel, wallowing in boredom. I needed
something to kill. Or at least beat up very badly. I noticed my foot was twitching and
stopped it immediately. I needed to do something; I wasn't made for this... this
un-usefulness. I was itching for a good fight. But things have changed and I shouldn't
go rushing head first into a bloody battle alone. I've learned that. Perhaps I can go out
and walk around, meet new people, mingle, have fun... Then common sense hit me
and I turned back to the television, feeling a sudden urge to throw something large and
heavy at it. Cordelia would have a fit if I did. Too bad.
"Something funny happened to me last night." I nearly jumped a foot off my chair. "I
thought you would want to know about it." I stood up immediately, wondering how I
allowed one of the loudest demons I know to sneak up on me, but still elated at the
prospect of being able to kill something after all.
"What's up? Need me to destroy some big bad?" I asked the green demon.
"No, no. Nothing like that, Angel-cake. I had an interesting dream yesterday." Oh.
"Oh." I said. Well, back to Dawson's River, or whatever that show was called. I sat
down again and stared at the horned demon dressed in an outrageous blue suit and
even more outrageous floral-print tie. His hair was a different color today, I noticed. His
tips were now a bright red, matching his eyes and horns. This was one brave demon;
actually walking into public looking like that.
"First of all, I usually don't dream. I mean I do, but most of them do not involve
vampires."
"You had a dream about me?" I was now half-interested in what he was about to say.
"Yep. You and a pretty lil' blond thing. I got a feeling you two knew each other very well.
Old friends, or maybe past lovers." The green demon's red eyes glinted mischievously
and he grinned. A sigh of exasperation escaped my lips.
"Look, I thought everybody understood. I am completely over her. No feelings at all."
Amazing. Darla left town a couple months ago and still, people bother me about her. So
I had a little obsession with her. And yeah, she hated me so much for not turning back
into Angelus, she cursed me. But we were way over.
"Really. In my dream, you two lovebirds seemed really close. I mean really close."
"I haven't seen Darla in months and-"
"Darla? Who's talking about her? Yeah, she had a voice to absolutely die for, but I
dreamt about a Buffy. That name ring a bell?"
All thoughts flew from my mind and only one name remained. Buffy. God. Hearing that
name after so... I felt... I don't know what I felt at that moment. Didn't even know how I
was supposed to feel. I haven't thought about her at all in the last year. Well, now that I
think about it, I do think about her. But those times were never long-lasting. When I was
upset, I thought of her, wishing she was there to comfort me; or when I was happy, I
usually unconsciously allow myself to wish she could share it with me. That was all.
Wishful thinking and utterly insignificant. I was so used to thinking about her in
glimpses and pieces that it became apart of me, it became routine. But to hear out
loud, forcing her to be the number one priority in my mind. That was a shock.
"Yep. You know her. I can see it in your aura; which, by the way, matches perfectly with
your outfit. Have I told you lately how glad I am to see you found the strength to climb
out of your funk and put on a shirt with color." I looked down at my new shirt without
really thinking about it.
Buffy. She was all I could think about now, thanks to Lorne Green. I pulled her face into
my mind and realized I could remember every detail, which isn't very surprising
considering that fact that I can recall the face of every innocent man, woman, and child
I've murdered when I was Angelus. I remember her hazel eyes, golden hair, coral-pink
lips, soothing caresses... Wonder what she was doing now. With Riley, her current
boyfriend. Whom she loves with a deep and unwavering passion. God, I hated him. If
only I can get my hands around his neck... Lorne made a noise at the back of his throat
and I glared at him. Why was he here anyway? Oh. The dream.
"Forget my shirt. What about your dream? What was happening in your dream? Is
Buffy hurt?" I was near panic.
"Hold on, cowboy. Geez. Don't worry. I thought the dream was a relatively nice one. A
lot of love."
When I thought I didn't know how to feel before, I was wrong. Now I was completely
stunned.
And inside, I felt a seed of hope begin to grow, a hope that had no business being
there in the first place.
This was bad news. I spent so much time crushing out all my faith, all the ones that
involved Buffy and happiness because it was not possible even now, and I thought I
succeeded. All my hopes are nothing but dust flying in the wind. Well, until now. Maybe
his dream was prophetic. I mean I didn't know exactly what he dreamt, but as long as
there was love... Maybe Buffy still cared about me... Great. Another year worth of hope
to get rid of. If only I had some natural immunity against that emotion. Then maybe I'd
stop brooding all the time. It was easier to have no expectations. Then there will be no
disappointments. No heart-stabbing hurt.
"Love?" I said this quietly, half fearing that if I spoke to loud, I would scare him off. I
wasn't feeling very happy at the moment. Which is strange. He was speaking of a love
between Buffy and me. Maybe it was possible, maybe there is hope. But I wasn't
happy. Perhaps I am scared that he could be right. That if I went to Buffy, she would
welcome me with open arms and warmth. Love. Love and happiness like never before.
But I guess a part of me is so use to the disappointment that comes after expectations
that I believe that whatever road Buffy and I walk on, there will always be an obstacle,
something blocking us from happily ever after. I wasn't tired of stopping again and
again to try and move it. I would do anything for Buffy, anything for the beautiful love that
exists- existed between us. But I think she was tired of it, tired of being caught in a
dead-end relationship with a vampire she couldn't even touch. I believed it was unfair to
her no matter what she said.
"Yep. Love. Between you and her. Not me and her. Don't get the wrong idea."
"How do you know it was her?"
"You've sang for me before, remember? I've suffered through Oh, Mandy after Mandy
to learn almost everything I know about you."
"But why in the world would you receive a dream about me? And Buffy? I thought
Cordelia was the vision-girl. Why you?"
"How am I supposed to know. I just help people... " a look of realization dawned on his
green face. A look I recognized too well. "Maybe that's why they sent me the dream! I'm
supposed to help you beautiful two star-crossed lovers!"
Oh lord, please help me. I covered my face with my hands tiredly, and tried to ignore
him go on and on about being the world's best matchmaker. The Powers That Be really
enjoyed seeing me suffer.
Author's Note: Tune in for the next chapter!
Author: eva
Email: lllwickedchildlll@yahoo.com
Summary: LA's own infamous singing and soul-helping demon has an interesting
dream involving Angel and Buffy. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: The characters in this story are the property of WB, FOX, Mutant Enemy,
and Joss... I think.
Author's Note: I want to thank Alice and Kathy, my beautiful beta readers. Without you guys, I wouldn't be where I am now. Hahaha...
Feedback: What author doesn't enjoy feedback?
Part One-
Lorne Green's Dream
There was never anything good on television anymore. Nowadays, it was all about sex,
greasy-haired guys teenage girls fawn over, terrible plots, and more sex. A lot of sex.
More than necessary sex. God, why am I even watching TV? All the quality shows
ended a decade ago. Like Bonanza. Now there was a good show.
Then I remembered why I was subjecting my brain to such mindless drivel. Gunn was
patrolling in his old neighborhood for vampires, Wesley was at some demon
convention, Cordelia was shopping, and I had offered to go with them all, even Cordy,
but they all refused, claiming they could do whatever they planned to do by themselves.
I think they all just wanted to take a break from me and from each other. After all, we
are practically living together.
So here I am, sitting in my lonely and empty hotel, wallowing in boredom. I needed
something to kill. Or at least beat up very badly. I noticed my foot was twitching and
stopped it immediately. I needed to do something; I wasn't made for this... this
un-usefulness. I was itching for a good fight. But things have changed and I shouldn't
go rushing head first into a bloody battle alone. I've learned that. Perhaps I can go out
and walk around, meet new people, mingle, have fun... Then common sense hit me
and I turned back to the television, feeling a sudden urge to throw something large and
heavy at it. Cordelia would have a fit if I did. Too bad.
"Something funny happened to me last night." I nearly jumped a foot off my chair. "I
thought you would want to know about it." I stood up immediately, wondering how I
allowed one of the loudest demons I know to sneak up on me, but still elated at the
prospect of being able to kill something after all.
"What's up? Need me to destroy some big bad?" I asked the green demon.
"No, no. Nothing like that, Angel-cake. I had an interesting dream yesterday." Oh.
"Oh." I said. Well, back to Dawson's River, or whatever that show was called. I sat
down again and stared at the horned demon dressed in an outrageous blue suit and
even more outrageous floral-print tie. His hair was a different color today, I noticed. His
tips were now a bright red, matching his eyes and horns. This was one brave demon;
actually walking into public looking like that.
"First of all, I usually don't dream. I mean I do, but most of them do not involve
vampires."
"You had a dream about me?" I was now half-interested in what he was about to say.
"Yep. You and a pretty lil' blond thing. I got a feeling you two knew each other very well.
Old friends, or maybe past lovers." The green demon's red eyes glinted mischievously
and he grinned. A sigh of exasperation escaped my lips.
"Look, I thought everybody understood. I am completely over her. No feelings at all."
Amazing. Darla left town a couple months ago and still, people bother me about her. So
I had a little obsession with her. And yeah, she hated me so much for not turning back
into Angelus, she cursed me. But we were way over.
"Really. In my dream, you two lovebirds seemed really close. I mean really close."
"I haven't seen Darla in months and-"
"Darla? Who's talking about her? Yeah, she had a voice to absolutely die for, but I
dreamt about a Buffy. That name ring a bell?"
All thoughts flew from my mind and only one name remained. Buffy. God. Hearing that
name after so... I felt... I don't know what I felt at that moment. Didn't even know how I
was supposed to feel. I haven't thought about her at all in the last year. Well, now that I
think about it, I do think about her. But those times were never long-lasting. When I was
upset, I thought of her, wishing she was there to comfort me; or when I was happy, I
usually unconsciously allow myself to wish she could share it with me. That was all.
Wishful thinking and utterly insignificant. I was so used to thinking about her in
glimpses and pieces that it became apart of me, it became routine. But to hear out
loud, forcing her to be the number one priority in my mind. That was a shock.
"Yep. You know her. I can see it in your aura; which, by the way, matches perfectly with
your outfit. Have I told you lately how glad I am to see you found the strength to climb
out of your funk and put on a shirt with color." I looked down at my new shirt without
really thinking about it.
Buffy. She was all I could think about now, thanks to Lorne Green. I pulled her face into
my mind and realized I could remember every detail, which isn't very surprising
considering that fact that I can recall the face of every innocent man, woman, and child
I've murdered when I was Angelus. I remember her hazel eyes, golden hair, coral-pink
lips, soothing caresses... Wonder what she was doing now. With Riley, her current
boyfriend. Whom she loves with a deep and unwavering passion. God, I hated him. If
only I can get my hands around his neck... Lorne made a noise at the back of his throat
and I glared at him. Why was he here anyway? Oh. The dream.
"Forget my shirt. What about your dream? What was happening in your dream? Is
Buffy hurt?" I was near panic.
"Hold on, cowboy. Geez. Don't worry. I thought the dream was a relatively nice one. A
lot of love."
When I thought I didn't know how to feel before, I was wrong. Now I was completely
stunned.
And inside, I felt a seed of hope begin to grow, a hope that had no business being
there in the first place.
This was bad news. I spent so much time crushing out all my faith, all the ones that
involved Buffy and happiness because it was not possible even now, and I thought I
succeeded. All my hopes are nothing but dust flying in the wind. Well, until now. Maybe
his dream was prophetic. I mean I didn't know exactly what he dreamt, but as long as
there was love... Maybe Buffy still cared about me... Great. Another year worth of hope
to get rid of. If only I had some natural immunity against that emotion. Then maybe I'd
stop brooding all the time. It was easier to have no expectations. Then there will be no
disappointments. No heart-stabbing hurt.
"Love?" I said this quietly, half fearing that if I spoke to loud, I would scare him off. I
wasn't feeling very happy at the moment. Which is strange. He was speaking of a love
between Buffy and me. Maybe it was possible, maybe there is hope. But I wasn't
happy. Perhaps I am scared that he could be right. That if I went to Buffy, she would
welcome me with open arms and warmth. Love. Love and happiness like never before.
But I guess a part of me is so use to the disappointment that comes after expectations
that I believe that whatever road Buffy and I walk on, there will always be an obstacle,
something blocking us from happily ever after. I wasn't tired of stopping again and
again to try and move it. I would do anything for Buffy, anything for the beautiful love that
exists- existed between us. But I think she was tired of it, tired of being caught in a
dead-end relationship with a vampire she couldn't even touch. I believed it was unfair to
her no matter what she said.
"Yep. Love. Between you and her. Not me and her. Don't get the wrong idea."
"How do you know it was her?"
"You've sang for me before, remember? I've suffered through Oh, Mandy after Mandy
to learn almost everything I know about you."
"But why in the world would you receive a dream about me? And Buffy? I thought
Cordelia was the vision-girl. Why you?"
"How am I supposed to know. I just help people... " a look of realization dawned on his
green face. A look I recognized too well. "Maybe that's why they sent me the dream! I'm
supposed to help you beautiful two star-crossed lovers!"
Oh lord, please help me. I covered my face with my hands tiredly, and tried to ignore
him go on and on about being the world's best matchmaker. The Powers That Be really
enjoyed seeing me suffer.
Author's Note: Tune in for the next chapter!
