Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Everything else belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and the WB.
Finished: April 15, 2001
~~ Who Are You? ~~
We train for almost an hour straight. Practicing everything from balance to blindfolded fighting. It's a welcome distraction from thinking too negatively about Angel's condition.
"Sorry I was so tough," I say as Giles hobbles over to a chair and sits down with a groan. "I was just upset about the accident and angry at the other driver."
He looks at his watch. "Well, perhaps we should return to the hospital and see how Angel is faring," he suggests.
I smile. I'm so glad he's been able to put Angelus behind him and see Angel as a completely different person...or even just as a person. "Sounds good," I reply. "But I have to swing by my house and change first. When Angel wakes up, I want to be 'Zestfully clean'."
Giles gives me a questioning look, obviously not understanding my reference. "It's called 'TV', Giles. And on it, there are commercials that advertise things like soap, cars and beer." I explain in a mocking tone.
"The last TV I watched was 'Passions' with Spike last year. The details of which I do not want to discuss...can we just get going?" he asks impatiently. I laugh and nod.
Saying good bye to Anya, we leave the shop, heading to my house. Giles visits with Mom and Dawn as I quickly shower and dress to visit Angel. "Hair up? No, hair down. Angel likes my hair down better. Black skirt or brown skirt? That one's easy...black of course. And I'll wear my new burgundy silk shirt he bought me and the duster he gave me to top it off." I say as I get dressed. It's weird I know, but I'm just glad that Angel will be awake.
After quickly applying my make-up and putting on my Vanilla perfume, it's Angel's favorite (did you expect anything less?), I trot downstairs. Dawn runs up to me and hugs me tightly with tears in her eyes. "Say 'hi' to him for me, okay?" she asks.
I hug her back and tell her I will. Obviously she hadn't been told about the accident until now, but then again, how would she have found out before? Mom leans against the wall of the staircase. "Tell Angel we'll have him over for a huge dinner when he is released from the hospital. I know how terrible that food can be." I laugh and hug my Mom as well before Giles and I head out the door.
We arrive at the hospital and greet the doctor coming out of Angel's room and he's writing something on the clipboard. "Hi Dr. Robinson," I say with a hopeful smile. "How's the patient doing?"
"Well he's showing obvious signs of amnesia." he says.
"Amnesia?" I ask. "Well, what does he remember?"
"Just general knowledge. What year it is and who the president is," he replies. "But he didn't know where he was let alone his own name."
"What caused it?" Giles asks.
"He doesn't have a concussion and he doesn't have any head injuries severe enough to cause memory loss," he explains. "But we won't know for sure until we run a CAT scan."
"Would it help if I tried talking to him?" I ask. "We've known each other for a couple years, maybe if he saw me..." My words drift off slowly and tears spring to my eyes.
"You could try. Start by asking him some basic questions. Who you are, when you met...those sorts of things." Dr. Robinson suggests. "I have to visit another patient right now, but I'll be back in a few minutes. Good luck, Ms. Summers."
"Thanks, doctor," I say. When he leaves I turn to Giles. "Is it okay if I--"
"Of course, Buffy," Giles replies, knowing what I'm going to say. "I'll wait out here."
I smile lightly at Giles and enter the room. Angel is awake and looking into a mirror, lightly touching the bruises and stitches on his face. The nurse is explaining that he was in a car accident.
"Was anybody else hurt?" he asks.
"Not seriously, no," she replies, adjusting a pillow behind his back. "The driver that hit you left the scene and they haven't found him yet." The nurse notices me and looks back at Angel. "I'll leave you two alone." she says and exits the room.
Angel looks over at me and smiles, putting the mirror down on his lap. "Hi Angel," I say and walk over to him. "How are you?" It's taking all my strength not to hug him and it's killing me.
"I'm fine," he says. "And how are you?"
I chuckle slightly. Here he is, recovering from a car accident and he's asking how I am...typical Angel. "I'm fine too," I say. "But I'd be better if you could remember who I am."
"Well, you're too young and too pretty to be a nurse," he says with a half-smile. "So, are you a relative?"
Pain pierces my heart and I shake my head slowly. "I'm Buffy...your girlfriend." I say quietly.
Instantly the smile leaves his face. "I'm sorry," he says sincerely. "But I don't remember anything except my name...and even the doctor had to tell me that."
"You don't remember anything? Your past...our past?" I ask.
"No," he says. "But maybe if you tell me a bit about us something will click."
"Okay," I say nodding. I pull an armchair up beside the bed and sit down. "Um, where to start. Well, we've known each other for about three and a half years. We met during...work...and we really liked each other but we couldn't go out because of our...jobs. We avoided each other for a while but when I came back from my summer vacation, we went out. We broke up and got back together a couple more times and you moved to LA for about two years. About a week ago you moved back here and we started over. Any clickage?"
Angel shakes his head. "Sorry, Bunny," he says. I knew this would be hard, but it's hurting way more than I thought it would.
"It's 'Buffy'." I say, looking down at my Claddaugh ring.
"Oh, right," he says quietly. We sit in silence for a few seconds, not knowing what to say. "So what happened in LA?"
"You started 'Angel Investigations', your own detective agency," I reply. "Then you...quit...and moved here to be with me."
"Well I can see why," he says, making me smile. He looks down at my hand and notices the ring. "Did I give you that?"
I look down again and turn the ring on my finger. "Yeah," I say softly, remembering the moment he gave it to me. Tears spring to my eyes knowing that he doesn't. "You gave it to me when you were going away. You have one too, but it's at my place."
He takes hold of my hand and looks at me. "I know I don't have the memories of us, and that I might not ever get them back, but I'd like to start over and make some new ones." he says, giving me a warm smile. It's hard to believe that it's not the same person I talked to less than twelve hours ago.
I smile and a small tear falls down my cheek. He wipes it off gently with his thumb. "I'd like that too." I say.
Dr. Robinson enters the room and interrupts us, carrying his trusty clipboard. "So, how's the memory game going?" he asks.
"Not well," Angel replies. "Buffy's told me a little bit, but no light bulbs so far."
"Well, I've set up a CAT scan appointment for later this evening at five o'clock. Hopefully we will be able to see what's causing this." he explains.
"Thanks, Dr. Robinson," I say. He leaves the room and I turn to face Angel. "Do you want me to come back later and visit?" I ask.
"Sure," he replies. "Not like I'm expecting anybody else."
"Okay then, I'll see you in a few hours." I say, standing up. I don't know whether to hug him or just leave, but I shouldn't treat him differently, it might make him feel awkward. After all, it's still Angel, just a newer version, right? I lean down and give him a hug.
When I pull away he's smiling. "I like your perfume. Vanilla, Right?" he asks.
"Yeah, it's your--was your favorite," I reply.
"Still is, I think," he says with a smile.
We say goodbye and I leave the room. Giles meets me in the hall immediately. "How is he?" he asks.
"Not good," I reply, tears collecting in my eyes. "He doesn't remember me at all...I-I want to go home."
"Of course, Buffy," he says. He walks with me out to his car and drives me to my house. We walk inside and Giles begins to tell them what we learned at the hospital. I head upstairs without saying anything. What can I say to them? That the love of my life doesn't even recognize me? That he doesn't remember the 200 plus years he spent on Earth? I collapse on my bed in tears, crying myself to sleep. Life is so much simpler there.
Finished: April 15, 2001
~~ Who Are You? ~~
We train for almost an hour straight. Practicing everything from balance to blindfolded fighting. It's a welcome distraction from thinking too negatively about Angel's condition.
"Sorry I was so tough," I say as Giles hobbles over to a chair and sits down with a groan. "I was just upset about the accident and angry at the other driver."
He looks at his watch. "Well, perhaps we should return to the hospital and see how Angel is faring," he suggests.
I smile. I'm so glad he's been able to put Angelus behind him and see Angel as a completely different person...or even just as a person. "Sounds good," I reply. "But I have to swing by my house and change first. When Angel wakes up, I want to be 'Zestfully clean'."
Giles gives me a questioning look, obviously not understanding my reference. "It's called 'TV', Giles. And on it, there are commercials that advertise things like soap, cars and beer." I explain in a mocking tone.
"The last TV I watched was 'Passions' with Spike last year. The details of which I do not want to discuss...can we just get going?" he asks impatiently. I laugh and nod.
Saying good bye to Anya, we leave the shop, heading to my house. Giles visits with Mom and Dawn as I quickly shower and dress to visit Angel. "Hair up? No, hair down. Angel likes my hair down better. Black skirt or brown skirt? That one's easy...black of course. And I'll wear my new burgundy silk shirt he bought me and the duster he gave me to top it off." I say as I get dressed. It's weird I know, but I'm just glad that Angel will be awake.
After quickly applying my make-up and putting on my Vanilla perfume, it's Angel's favorite (did you expect anything less?), I trot downstairs. Dawn runs up to me and hugs me tightly with tears in her eyes. "Say 'hi' to him for me, okay?" she asks.
I hug her back and tell her I will. Obviously she hadn't been told about the accident until now, but then again, how would she have found out before? Mom leans against the wall of the staircase. "Tell Angel we'll have him over for a huge dinner when he is released from the hospital. I know how terrible that food can be." I laugh and hug my Mom as well before Giles and I head out the door.
We arrive at the hospital and greet the doctor coming out of Angel's room and he's writing something on the clipboard. "Hi Dr. Robinson," I say with a hopeful smile. "How's the patient doing?"
"Well he's showing obvious signs of amnesia." he says.
"Amnesia?" I ask. "Well, what does he remember?"
"Just general knowledge. What year it is and who the president is," he replies. "But he didn't know where he was let alone his own name."
"What caused it?" Giles asks.
"He doesn't have a concussion and he doesn't have any head injuries severe enough to cause memory loss," he explains. "But we won't know for sure until we run a CAT scan."
"Would it help if I tried talking to him?" I ask. "We've known each other for a couple years, maybe if he saw me..." My words drift off slowly and tears spring to my eyes.
"You could try. Start by asking him some basic questions. Who you are, when you met...those sorts of things." Dr. Robinson suggests. "I have to visit another patient right now, but I'll be back in a few minutes. Good luck, Ms. Summers."
"Thanks, doctor," I say. When he leaves I turn to Giles. "Is it okay if I--"
"Of course, Buffy," Giles replies, knowing what I'm going to say. "I'll wait out here."
I smile lightly at Giles and enter the room. Angel is awake and looking into a mirror, lightly touching the bruises and stitches on his face. The nurse is explaining that he was in a car accident.
"Was anybody else hurt?" he asks.
"Not seriously, no," she replies, adjusting a pillow behind his back. "The driver that hit you left the scene and they haven't found him yet." The nurse notices me and looks back at Angel. "I'll leave you two alone." she says and exits the room.
Angel looks over at me and smiles, putting the mirror down on his lap. "Hi Angel," I say and walk over to him. "How are you?" It's taking all my strength not to hug him and it's killing me.
"I'm fine," he says. "And how are you?"
I chuckle slightly. Here he is, recovering from a car accident and he's asking how I am...typical Angel. "I'm fine too," I say. "But I'd be better if you could remember who I am."
"Well, you're too young and too pretty to be a nurse," he says with a half-smile. "So, are you a relative?"
Pain pierces my heart and I shake my head slowly. "I'm Buffy...your girlfriend." I say quietly.
Instantly the smile leaves his face. "I'm sorry," he says sincerely. "But I don't remember anything except my name...and even the doctor had to tell me that."
"You don't remember anything? Your past...our past?" I ask.
"No," he says. "But maybe if you tell me a bit about us something will click."
"Okay," I say nodding. I pull an armchair up beside the bed and sit down. "Um, where to start. Well, we've known each other for about three and a half years. We met during...work...and we really liked each other but we couldn't go out because of our...jobs. We avoided each other for a while but when I came back from my summer vacation, we went out. We broke up and got back together a couple more times and you moved to LA for about two years. About a week ago you moved back here and we started over. Any clickage?"
Angel shakes his head. "Sorry, Bunny," he says. I knew this would be hard, but it's hurting way more than I thought it would.
"It's 'Buffy'." I say, looking down at my Claddaugh ring.
"Oh, right," he says quietly. We sit in silence for a few seconds, not knowing what to say. "So what happened in LA?"
"You started 'Angel Investigations', your own detective agency," I reply. "Then you...quit...and moved here to be with me."
"Well I can see why," he says, making me smile. He looks down at my hand and notices the ring. "Did I give you that?"
I look down again and turn the ring on my finger. "Yeah," I say softly, remembering the moment he gave it to me. Tears spring to my eyes knowing that he doesn't. "You gave it to me when you were going away. You have one too, but it's at my place."
He takes hold of my hand and looks at me. "I know I don't have the memories of us, and that I might not ever get them back, but I'd like to start over and make some new ones." he says, giving me a warm smile. It's hard to believe that it's not the same person I talked to less than twelve hours ago.
I smile and a small tear falls down my cheek. He wipes it off gently with his thumb. "I'd like that too." I say.
Dr. Robinson enters the room and interrupts us, carrying his trusty clipboard. "So, how's the memory game going?" he asks.
"Not well," Angel replies. "Buffy's told me a little bit, but no light bulbs so far."
"Well, I've set up a CAT scan appointment for later this evening at five o'clock. Hopefully we will be able to see what's causing this." he explains.
"Thanks, Dr. Robinson," I say. He leaves the room and I turn to face Angel. "Do you want me to come back later and visit?" I ask.
"Sure," he replies. "Not like I'm expecting anybody else."
"Okay then, I'll see you in a few hours." I say, standing up. I don't know whether to hug him or just leave, but I shouldn't treat him differently, it might make him feel awkward. After all, it's still Angel, just a newer version, right? I lean down and give him a hug.
When I pull away he's smiling. "I like your perfume. Vanilla, Right?" he asks.
"Yeah, it's your--was your favorite," I reply.
"Still is, I think," he says with a smile.
We say goodbye and I leave the room. Giles meets me in the hall immediately. "How is he?" he asks.
"Not good," I reply, tears collecting in my eyes. "He doesn't remember me at all...I-I want to go home."
"Of course, Buffy," he says. He walks with me out to his car and drives me to my house. We walk inside and Giles begins to tell them what we learned at the hospital. I head upstairs without saying anything. What can I say to them? That the love of my life doesn't even recognize me? That he doesn't remember the 200 plus years he spent on Earth? I collapse on my bed in tears, crying myself to sleep. Life is so much simpler there.
