…SURVIVOR…
6
^
Denotes thoughts ^
~*~*~*~
The
moon was shinning in the blanketed sky.
For
the past two hours they had sat outside on the top of the hill.
They
talked and talked and talked.
They
reminisced about old times and often brought in anecdotes about Giles, which
always made them smile.
Cradling
her in his arms, with her back against his chest, Angel asked the dreaded
question…
"What
have you been doing with your life for the past two years?"
"Existing"
"I
know what you mean" Angel reassured her.
"I
wasn't living … my body was just going through the motions of everyday life
without me caring what happened. I became very bitter. Especially towards love.
Bitter that I didn't have it … that other's were relishing in the feeling of
happiness whilst I was brooding in self-pity."
"I'm
SO sorry Buffy"
"So
am I" she simply stated with truthfulness evident in her voice.
They
sat there for a few minutes in silence…
"So
what about you Angel … what have you been up to since I last saw you?"
"Well
I already told you that I came back a week after your Graduation. I couldn't
stand being without you. I didn't want to risk Angelus returning but I knew
that I still had to be in the same town as you. It hurt too much being that far
away and not being able to have you visit me during the day, stand in the
shadows whilst you patrolled making sure that you were alright and not being
able to climb the tree outside your room and watch you sleep peacefully with a
smile gracing your lips."
Buffy
turned around and faced him with adoring eyes…
"I
always knew when you were there."
"You
did?" he said a bit embarrassed
"Yep.
I knew you were stalking me as I patrolled. It was comforting knowing that you
were there to protect me if I got into trouble. And I knew when you would sit
outside my window. I could feel your eyes on me but more than anything I could
feel your presence within myself. That beautiful tingling feeling that I get in
my mind, body and soul when you are around. So it would always make me smile,
knowing that you were there."
"I
missed that feeling for two years. I missed being able to hold you in my arms.
To walk with you through the park. To caress the back of your hand so tenderly.
To just see you smile and know that I am the reason that you are so happy."
Angel responded
"I
missed your gorgeous eyes that would see straight into my soul. I missed doing
Tai Chi with you. I missed seeing the look on your face when I would dress in
something sexy just to tease you and only you. I missed your strong arms just
holding me and knowing that everything would be alright as long as I am in your
arms." She told him truthfully
A
tear had formulated in her eye as she professed her love to him. He bent down
and kissed it away as it began to cascade down her soft cheek.
His
lips travelled down and met hers in a gentle kiss.
As
their kiss depended, her arms snaked around his neck as his came to embrace her
around her waist.
Tongues
duelled and hands caressed as they both tried to memorise the never-forgotten
features of their lover.
When
breathing became an issue for both of them, they reluctantly broke apart.
Buffy
swivelled back around to her original position and rested her head against his
strong shoulder.
They
remained there for most of the night, just being content with one another's
presence.
~
After
retiring to his old bed in the mansion the night before Buffy and Angel had
awoken in one another's arms.
It
was a simple pleasure that had eluded them for too long.
All
of Buffy's belongings were still at Giles' house, therefore they had decided to
go there so that she could shower and change.
When
they walked into the house they were surprised to see all of the Scooby Gang
(old and new) sitting around in the lounge room.
Xander
and Anya were on a couch next to each other.
Willow
was sitting on Oz's knee on one of the chairs.
Cordelia
was sitting on the other chair with Gunn on the armrest.
Wesley
was leaning against the bookshelf in the corner.
Joyce
was in the kitchen making tea.
Olivia
and the representatives from the Watcher's Council had left the night before to
return to England.
Buffy
and Angel walked over to the group and had already decided not to act too
'coupley'. They were not even sure of where things were headed themselves so
they didn't want to have to face questions that they didn't know the answers to
yet.
Walking
over to the kitchen counter Angel stood there as Buffy took a seat on the chair
at the table where Willows computer used to be.
An
awkward silence filled the room like distaste in your mouth after eating a sour
lolly.
This
moment was interrupted by Spike emerging from the bathroom.
"Look
who's here … Slayer and Peaches."
Angel
just raised his eyebrow whilst Buffy voiced her opinion…
"William.
So nice to see you." she said with sarcasm laced all over her voice.
Due
to the funeral having been four days after Buffy had arrived, the Sunnydale
gang had already caught up with each other and basically resolved their
problems. However this did not include the Scoobies from LA and it didn't mean
that everything was 'hunky-dory'.
"So
what happened with you Spike? Last time I looked you didn't have a soul,
therefore you couldn't have reached redemption. Yet you aren't fitting into an
ashtray anytime soon."
"Well
Buf, since you left I have been through a momentous spiritual awakening, which
has helped me realise…"
But
he was cut off by the laughter of Willow, to which Xander explained…
"A
bunch of inbred Government Commando guys stuck a chip in his brain last year
and it means that he can't hurt humans or even a little bunny!"
"Which
is a shame because I hate rabbits" Anya added.
"But
that still doesn't explain your sudden resilience to UV rays…" voiced Buffy.
Angel
replied…
"Well
when he figured out that the only thing he can fight are demons, then he
decided that it was time that he was on our side. So he came and worked with us
in LA, much to my delight, and there we found this ring called 'the Gem of
Amara'. Basically it means that when he wears it, he is invincible to death.
Therefore he can walk in the sunlight and not get burnt to a crisp."
"Oh
ok." Was all Buffy could muster. As her thoughts lingered on Angel having
gotten that ring back when she was 17 and they could have done more normal
things as a couple. But then she remembered that he was human now and that
there was going to be plenty of time for that stuff later.
"Ummm
… sorry to interrupt. But I feel that seeing as we are all here then this would
be the best time to read Giles' will … what do you think?" posed Joyce
Everyone
in the room emphatically nodded as their thoughts began to wonder back to
Giles' and how he isn't here anymore.
"Ok.
Well the envelope is next to you Angel. If you wouldn't mind reading it because
I know that I will become a blubbering fool after the second line…" Joyce
offered.
"Sure"
Angel leaned over and retrieved the envelope. He opened it carefully and
proceeded to read its contents.
Willow
was left all of his resources, magical and mystical books.
Xander
and Anya were given his car, the 'two-door tramp'.
Wesley
was given Giles' weapon collection.
Joyce
was left with his guitar and music collection, with the instructions not to
replay the recordings of his own songs to anyone!
Angel
was given his collection of classic poetry, detailed prophecies and the
original and only copy of the book Giles had written, titled; "The Slayer and
Her Vampire". It was his memoirs about Buffy and Angel's relationship.
And
to no-one's surprise but herself, Buffy was left his apartment. Giles also made
an extra note that if Buffy had not returned before he died, that she would
still get his house and that the Watcher's Council, Angel and the rest of the
gang would use his life savings to find her. However if she were back in time,
then his life savings would simply be transferred into her account.
Lastly,
Buffy was also given his Watcher's Journals about his life as the Watcher of
Buffy Anne Summers.
By
the end it, everyone was in tears, including Angel who had began to well up
during it.
Buffy
didn't say anything, she couldn't. What could she say?
So
she stood and walked over to the room that she had been staying in.
A
minute later she returned and placed a CD in the stereo in the corner of the
lounge room.
Everyone
was a little perplexed at first but then they settled down to listen to the
song…
Sorry I never told
you
All I wanted to say.
And now it's too late to hold you,
'Cause you've flown away, so far away.
Buffy walked slowly
back to Angel and let his strong arms embrace her petite body as she began to
sob against his expansive chest.
Never had I imagined
Living without your smile.
Feeling, and knowing you hear me,
It keeps me alive, alive.
Oz hugged Willow tighter as she leaned into his embrace.
And I know you're shining down on me from heaven,
Like so many friends we've lost along the way.
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day.
Anya moved closer to
Xander, who immediately put his arm around her.
Darling, I never showed you,
Assumed you'd always be there.
I, I took your presence for granted,
But I always cared and I miss the love we shared.
Gunn reached out his hand and entwined his fingers with Cordelia's.
And I know you're shining down on me from heaven,
Like so many friends we've lost along the way.
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day.
Wesley made his way over to Joyce and placed a
sympathetic arm on her shoulder as she wept silently.
Although the sun will never shine the same,
I'll always look to a brighter day.
Lord, I know when I lay me down to sleep,
You will always listen as I pray.
Spike sat there on the floor and let a single
tear run down his cheek before hastily wiping it away.
And I know you're shining down on me from heaven,
Like so many friends we've lost along the way.
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day.
And I know you're shining down on me from heaven,
Like so many friends we've lost along the way.
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day.
Sorry I never told you
All I wanted to say.
There
wasn't a dry eye in the house, and no one was trying to keep it in, save for
Spike.
They
cried for the gentleman who was a mentor to each of them.
They
cried for a friend who was always worried about their well-being.
They
cried for the person who would make everything ok.
They
cried for the man who died too young.
~*~
TBC…
~Chikki~
B/A
lover/shipper/believer for eternity and FOREVER!