What You Are (Part 5/?)
AUTHOR: Rebecca Parker
EMAIL: Buffonian@aol.com
RATING: PG-13
SUMMARY: Buffy has the power to heal instantaneously. The Rogue Watcher's
Council has been sent after her and she and Riley have gone into hiding.
Xander has gone to Los Angeles to fetch Angel.
SPOILERS: All seasons of "Buffy" and "Angel"
FEEDBACK: Yes please! I've begged for it, I've pleaded for it, now I'm
just asking nicely for it. Make my day and let me know what you think!
DISTRIBUTION: FINNatics of course! All others, please ask.
DISCLAIMER: Joss owns all. 'Nuff said.
DEDICATION: As always, the usual suspects: Jodi, Emmy, Jen, Ben and Caro.


"I don't see why you have to go," Anya said matter-of-factly as she
leaned against the hood of Uncle Rory's convertible. "What's Angel going to
do? Come here and identify the body?"
"Anya, shut up! Don't you realize that you can't say things like that!
Buffy's not going to die," Xander said, crossing his arms to restrain
himself from the desire to choke Anya for saying something so insensitive,
even for her.
"Whatever. All he's going to do is come here and be mopey like you and
Willow."
"Fine. That's fine. The more the merrier, right?" Xander walked over to
the driver's door, opening it and sliding into the seat, not even looking at
his girlfriend.
"Xander," Anya said, walking over next to him. "I'm sorry. I just…I
need you more than she does right now."
"Why? How?"
"Because…because we haven't made love in two days!" she said, pouting.
"Oh yeah. That's some reason. You're right!" Xander said, mockingly.
"What am I thinking of running off to try and save my friend's life? You're
horny! Obviously that should come first!"
"Well, I'm glad you see things my way." Xander sighed, shaking his head.
"I'll see you in a few days."
"Aren't we going to kiss?" she asked, leaning over the window as he
turned the key in the ignition.
"You know what? I really don't feel like it," Xander said, throwing the
car into gear and driving away, leaving a frustrated Anya behind.
"Xander!" she called out, but the car was already turning the corner.

******

Buffy sighed as she entered the familiar apartment, goosebumps
automatically covering her flesh. It seemed like forever since she had been
here and for that she was glad; the place held too many painful memories for
her to return to it often.
Her eyes glanced over to the bed, adorned with the same red sheets; the
blanket neatly folded into a pile at the base.
"We should be safe here," Buffy said, turning to Riley. "I-I haven't
been here in over two years so I doubt they'll be looking for me here."
"What is this place?" Riley said, admiring the statue to the left of the
door.
"It's- it was Angel's apartment," she said, taking his hand. "I know
this must be weird for you but I had to think of somewhere safe I could go."
Riley nodded, frowning. "I understand. Can we sit?" he asked, tilting
his head towards the bed.
"No," Buffy said, shaking. "I mean, we can. Just not..there."
"Oh," Riley said, turning his gaze from the bed to her. "Oh. I see."
"Yeah," she said nervously. "Is this- is that too much for you? I mean,
if it is we can hide out in the high school. It's just- I thought…"
"No. It's OK," Riley said, leading Buffy to a chair.
She sunk down into it, looking up at him. "Thank you."
Riley knelt down beside her, running his fingers through her hair until
his palm rested on the side of her face, cupping it. "Buffy, there's
something I want to say to you- about Angel."
Buffy nodded, unsure of what was coming.
"I've been thinking about this a lot since he came to town. We really
haven't had much of a chance to talk about it. I know- I know that it is over
between you. I don't doubt you at all, I want you to know that."
"Thank you," she said again, her voice low.
"But I do know that you will always love him," he said, and seeing her
about to protest placed his finger on her lips. "Shh. Just listen to me."
She nodded. "I know that a part of you will always love him and I understand
that. I accept that. I don't like it and I wish that it was different but
it's a part of you Buffy, and I love every single thing about you. "
"I don't deserve you," she said, taking his hand and pressing it to her
lips.
"You deserve me and more," he said, smiling. "But you're stuck with me
either way. I'm not an easy man to get rid of."
"That's never going to be an issue, Riley."
"Good." Riley's smile faded as he turned to the bed again. "I know you
have…issues with this place." He turned back to her, his eyes connecting
with hers. "But you need rest and I'm not letting you sleep on the floor."
"Chair," Buffy said, shaking her head. "I can sleep in the chair. I
just- I can't."
"I understand," Riley said. "I'm not too keen on sleeping there
either."
"I'm sorry," she said. "Maybe this wasn't the greatest idea after
all." "Hey. I'll be fine," Riley said, standing up. "The floor is good
enough for me. I've had worse."
Buffy frowned, wondering why everything tonight reminded her of something
from before. It seemed a million years ago that Angel had uttered those very
words in HER bedroom, before she knew he was a vampire. That had been when
he was just this strangely attractive and alluring guy she just couldn't stop
thinking about. A million years away from where she was now, and she
wouldn't go back for the world.
"Are you sure?" she asked, feeling selfish suddenly. He was the one who
was still injured; she was the one who couldn't stay hurt for long,
seemingly.
"I'm positive. Listen, I'm just going to make a sweep of the perimeter
and call it a night. Why don't you go to sleep? I'll be back in a few
minutes." "OK," Buffy said, nodding. She would argue to go with him but
the events of the evening had overtaxed her and she could feel sleep drape
its arm around her, pulling her into unconsciousness. "I love you Riley,"
she said, yawning.
"I love you too. And I'll be right back."
"I know."

******

"How many are out there?" Giles asked, his eyes roaming over the pages
of a book he hoped kept some of the secrets to Buffy's newly found healing
powers.
"I can see two now," Willow said, peeking out from beneath the curtains.
"One's behind the bush and the other is in the shadows near the north wall."
She sighed. "This isn't good, Giles. What happens if we leave? Do they
attack us or are they just after Buffy?"
"I fear the former may be true," he said, sighing as he glanced up at
the redhead. "When I spoke to my contact again he said that this group- the
Rogue Watcher's Council has become more ruthless than ever. There was a
terrible shame concerning the numerous Faith debacles and they have hired-
basically the human equivalent of the Order of Taraka."
"Bounty hunters?"
"Yes, basically. These men have been associated with the Watcher's
Council for extreme cases, usually of the demonic sort. But these men- their
only allegiance is towards the Council, and of course, the money and their
target has now become Buffy herself."
"I don't understand. Do you think this is connected with Buffy's healing
thing?"
"It must be. This has all happened so suddenly. Thank goodness Buffy and
Riley escaped when they did."
"And Xander and Anya too," Willow added. "Do you think he's doing the
right thing- bringing Angel into this?"
"Right now," Giles said, moving over to the window and taking a look for
himself. "I think we can use all the help we can get. Angel is quite the
ally. And- as much as it pains me to say this, I believe Wesley will be of
some help to us as well."
"Double the watcher knowledge," Willow said, nodding.
"Yes, that would be the plan. But our only problem is- if we can't get
out, they can't get in."
"I don't think Angel has ever let that stop him before."
"True enough," Giles said, sighing as he slammed the book he had been
perusing. "We're not finding anything tonight. Why don't I sleep on the
couch and you can take my bedroom?"
"Two girls in your bedroom in one night, Giles? Are you trying to set a
personal record?" Willow asked, grinning.
Giles blushed, chuckling softly. "Willow, I believe you have been hanging
out with Anya too much lately."
Willow smiled. "Touché. Are you sure you don't mind sleeping on the
couch?" "Not at all," Giles said. "I'll probably stay up for a few
hours longer and keep an eye on our friends outside."
"OK. Call me if you need me. Oh..and if Tara calls, wake me up?"
"Of course," Giles said, picking up a fresh book. "Good Night."
"Good Night," Willow called out as she walked up the stairs, yawning the
whole way.

******
Outside, a third bounty hunter crossed the lawn, low to the ground. He
ducked behind a bush, checking his rifle. All was well and in less than a
day, the invasion would begin.

TO BE CONTINUED...