Note: Last chapter! Sorry for the delay. Thanks for the reviews. Check it out, Im coming with a new one soon. This chapter has the song from Celine Dion called "I see the Light" or something of that nature. Peace out and have a nice holiday. Look for my new story coming soon!
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See the Light
"Get away from me." Buffy yelled trying to punch the monster on top of her. The thing wasn't fazed and kept his hand on her throat. The lack of oxygen started to weaken her, but she couldn't do anything. The bodies of her friends displayed harshly in front of her. Their heads were displayed on sticks. Their eyes stared at her accusingly.
The demon let go of her right before she fell unconscious. It kicked her in the gut as she gasped for breath. It's tail smacked across her face leaving deep bloody scratches from its spikes. It laughed horribly at her as she struggled to her feet...
* * * * *
"Buffy, honey, wake up." Joyce said shaking her daughter. Buffy sat up quickly, almost knocking her mother off the bed. Her daughter panted, eyes wide, filled with fear. "Buffy are you alright?"
Buffy looked over at Joyce confused, but had calmed down a bit. "Yeah I'm fine, just a bad dream. What time is it?"
"It's three in the morning. You cried out so loud I thought something was wrong." Joyce told her as she gently pushed her daughter's messy hair away from her eyes. This was the second night her daughter screamed throughout the night. Something was definitely up. Something her daughter didn't want to tell her and probable would never tell her. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah. It was just a bad dream. I'm fine." Buffy reassured her with a small smile. But her eyes told a different story. They looked hollow and haunted. Joyce decided not to push. The books said not to push your teenager, so she'd follow their instructions. She didn't want her daughter running away again. In fact, that was the last thing she wanted.
"Alright sweetie. I am going back to bed. Do you need anything before I go?"
Buffy shook her head. "Nah, just some sleep."
"Alright then... Good night." Joyce said getting up from the bed. She went out the door and closed it. For a few long minutes Joyce stared at the door. None of the books could help her deal with the Slayer issues. None of them told her what to do about how to help her daughter through near death experiences.
She slowly made her way back to her room. As she started to close her door, she heard a quiet harsh sob. Joyce looked longingly at her daughter's door. She knew she shouldn't go back, her daughter wanted to be left alone. But it was so hard. She wanted to go to Buffy's room and just hold her. She wanted to make it all better again.
Sighing sadly, Joyce went to her bed and laid down. She'd respect her daughter's wishes.
* * * * *
All the pain and anguish rushed out of her. Hot tears rushed down her face as she tried to keep herself under control. If she let go, she was afraid she'd never be able to bring herself back together. She didn't want anyone else to feel and know how bad she felt. It was hard, almost too hard, but she refrained from making everyone else miserable. She'd have to fess up soon though or else this demon she had inside her would eat her alive.
This wasn't any demon, no... this one fed off fear and sadness. She wouldn't let it make her nuts. Looking over at the window, she figured Angel should be the first to tell. "I know you're there." she spoke softly. "You've been there for most of the night."
"Sorry." Angel said apologetically.
She wiped the tears from her face and smiled slightly. This time it come out with sincerity. Whenever Angel was around, she felt safe. Even if it tore her up inside to know they could never be.
"How are you?" He asked going towards the bed. She moved over slightly so he could sit.
"Not the best, but I'm dealing." Buffy nodded. She just couldn't lie to him. It was hard to lie to the ones you loved. Lying to them felt as though she had slapped them in the face and called them dumb. She had respect for them all.
He sat down beside her and she leaned her back against his chest. Kissing the top of her head, he let out a long sigh. For that moment, both shared the same feelings. Both had been through Hell literally and both had the same anxieties. They shared the same pain. Buffy let out short burst of laughter that turned into sobbing.
"Oh God Angel it hurts so much." Buffy cried.
"I know...shhhhh." he whispered into her ear and held her close.
* * * * *
Xander kept his eyes on the small untamed path. This was only his second time going up the cliff. All he remembered was that it looked out over Sunnydale. In a few minutes the sun would rise. Right now, right now was what they called the darkest hour. The hours just before dawn.
He finally made it to the top and took a deep breath. He saw a figure that kneeled on the ground, looking over the cliff towards the small town. The cool wind blew the girl's hair to the side. The scene almost looked like a piece of art. Like some photograph you'd see in an art museum or in a magazine. The serenity, the peace. All that he had tried to come to terms with over the past few weeks. All those feelings were summed up to what stood before him. They had been right in front of him the whole time.
"Hey Buff." Xander said quietly.
She kept her eyes looking towards the glowing horizon. An angel, that was what she reminded him of. Something he hadn't thought of for weeks. Through all the terror, she still seemed to have a kind of quiet innocent look about her. "Look out there." she breathed.
(I was waiting for so long
For a miracle to come
Everyone told me to be strong
Hold on and don't shed a tear)
He looked. The sun just peaking in the horizon. The rays pierced the night sky, pushing away the darkness for a new day to come. It was beautiful. An image that would last a lifetime. It was one of those moments where every bad element faded away into nothing. All the turbulence in his life, all the rough waves that slammed into him, they all calmed into placid water. He smiled and walked up next to her.
(Through the darkness and good times
I knew I'd make it through
And the world thought I had it all
But I was waiting for you)
"Look at it. Isn't it beautiful?" Buffy asked not looking away from the sky. It started to glow in different colors. Almost like a painting. Some artist had splashed colors all over a canvas. The red, yellow, orange... It was magic. Something that you could feel, but it was just out of reach. This was one thing nobody could take away from him. Everyone of his friends would fight to the death for it's innocent beauty. This one blessed moment.
"Yeah." He replied pushing his hands into his pockets. He could feel the rays of warmth heating his cold and edgy nerves. It chased away the cool spring night breeze, bringing in the sweet smell of fresh morning dew. The smell of spring.
(I see a light in the sky
Oh, it's almost blinding me
I can't believe
I've been touched by an angel with love)
"I never knew it could be so beautiful." Buffy smiled looking over at him for the first time. Her eyes danced as the glow of the sun reflected off her face taking away all the shadows. And at that moment, he knew he'd be okay. He had to be. Because nothing could ever take away his life and soul unless he let it. He wouldn't let it. She looked back towards the sky. "Everyday it gets more beautiful. Xander... Life's a blessing. We have to use it wisely, cherish it. If we don't, the beauty... this beauty, will fade away and all we have left is darkness."
"Yeah, it'd be a pity to waste." he grinned. "I guess we all get lost sometimes."
She stood up. "And that's why we have friends. To help find us when we're lost."
He nodded.
(Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun
A new day has come)
She leaned back on his chest and he put his arms around her.
"Life is better when you have a guide. Someone to bring you out of the darkness and direct you back into the light." Buffy sighed.
He nodded and looked out as the sun crawled into the sky to bathe the town with it's glowing rays. So life was hard, but all of them had pushed though it before. Suddenly he became aware of what Buffy went through everyday. She came to this realization while others abused it. Life was a bunch of moments. What you do with them would be your decision.
(Where it was dark now there's light
Where there was pain now there's joy
Where there was weakness, I found my strength
All in the eyes of a boy)
"Another day in the Hellmouth?" Xander grinned. Buffy laughed.
(Hush, love
I see a light in the sky
Oh, it's almost blinding me
I can't believe
I've been touched by an angel with love
Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun)
* * * * *
"Hey look, it's Will." Xander called out grinning, his face full of mischief.
Willow looked at him confused. Last night he brushed her off and today he acted as if everything was normal. She knew those were signs of denial. It was in her psychology book. She looked at Oz with worry, but he just shrugged as if not noticing the quick change of attitude. The two made their way through the horde of teenagers who had one thing in mind, food.
Buffy stood near her locker throwing books at Xander who tried to catch them and put them in her bag. As soon as the last book dropped to the floor, the Slayer slammed the locker door closed and looked over at Xander with a sly grin.
(Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun)
"Thanks for the much needed help." She laughed as he took a book that he hadn't caught off the floor and put it into her book bag. Throwing the book bag over his shoulder with his satchel, he shoved his free hand in his pocket.
"No prob, anything for the Bufster." Xander nodded and waved them over. Willow slowly came over, shouldering her own bag. "You know, you could try handing them to me. It's a fast and easy concept. First you take the book out of the locker and place it in my hand. Then you make sure I have it and let go of the book. I put it into the book bag aka backpack. It makes it a whole lot easier."
"That takes out all the fun." Buffy patted him on the back and put her crutch on to the ground. She leaned on it, waiting for them to get over to where they were. "I mean, since you're enjoying that 'Buffy has to get help' routine, well I might as well make it as tough as possible. It wouldn't make it fun and worth while for me."
Willow grinned. "Hey guys. How...how's everybody doing? Good I hope because you know bad is just... you know bad."
"What's up with Chucky?" Buffy asked Xander who shrugged.
"Who?" Willow asked confused.
"Chucky, you know. The guy from Rugrats." Buffy raised an eyebrow at her. Willow felt even more confused. Everything just didn't seem right.
Oz grinned and nodded. "I think it's sexy."
"Okay, what am I missing?" Willow asked looking at all of them.
Xander nodded. "You see, why are you acting so cautious? Relax. We're cool. No need to tip toe around us. We aren't breakable... At least I don't think we are... uh... Buff, want to chime in here and help poor Xander?"
"We're okay, I think that's what he's trying to say. If not, well... I don't really understand the Xander' jargon as well as I thought." Buffy shook her head at Xander who gave a sheepish shrug as if he couldn't help himself.
Oz put his arm around her and kissed her on the cheek. Finally letting down her guard, she let out a long sigh.
(I can't believe
I've been touched by an angel with love)
"Alright, my stomach's growling. It's like a big ol' beast kind of thing. It's got a mind of it's own. Let's go eat before I waste away into oblivion." Xander pointed towards the cafeteria.
"Okay Scrappy-Doo." Willow grinned following Buffy and Oz to the cafeteria. Xander stopped for a moment trying to think of what she had just said. Then he made the most hurt face he could come up with. It wasn't very good since he kept smiling.
"Hey." He said bringing up the tail. "That wasn't very friend-like. Take that back."
______________Please Review_____________
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See the Light
"Get away from me." Buffy yelled trying to punch the monster on top of her. The thing wasn't fazed and kept his hand on her throat. The lack of oxygen started to weaken her, but she couldn't do anything. The bodies of her friends displayed harshly in front of her. Their heads were displayed on sticks. Their eyes stared at her accusingly.
The demon let go of her right before she fell unconscious. It kicked her in the gut as she gasped for breath. It's tail smacked across her face leaving deep bloody scratches from its spikes. It laughed horribly at her as she struggled to her feet...
* * * * *
"Buffy, honey, wake up." Joyce said shaking her daughter. Buffy sat up quickly, almost knocking her mother off the bed. Her daughter panted, eyes wide, filled with fear. "Buffy are you alright?"
Buffy looked over at Joyce confused, but had calmed down a bit. "Yeah I'm fine, just a bad dream. What time is it?"
"It's three in the morning. You cried out so loud I thought something was wrong." Joyce told her as she gently pushed her daughter's messy hair away from her eyes. This was the second night her daughter screamed throughout the night. Something was definitely up. Something her daughter didn't want to tell her and probable would never tell her. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah. It was just a bad dream. I'm fine." Buffy reassured her with a small smile. But her eyes told a different story. They looked hollow and haunted. Joyce decided not to push. The books said not to push your teenager, so she'd follow their instructions. She didn't want her daughter running away again. In fact, that was the last thing she wanted.
"Alright sweetie. I am going back to bed. Do you need anything before I go?"
Buffy shook her head. "Nah, just some sleep."
"Alright then... Good night." Joyce said getting up from the bed. She went out the door and closed it. For a few long minutes Joyce stared at the door. None of the books could help her deal with the Slayer issues. None of them told her what to do about how to help her daughter through near death experiences.
She slowly made her way back to her room. As she started to close her door, she heard a quiet harsh sob. Joyce looked longingly at her daughter's door. She knew she shouldn't go back, her daughter wanted to be left alone. But it was so hard. She wanted to go to Buffy's room and just hold her. She wanted to make it all better again.
Sighing sadly, Joyce went to her bed and laid down. She'd respect her daughter's wishes.
* * * * *
All the pain and anguish rushed out of her. Hot tears rushed down her face as she tried to keep herself under control. If she let go, she was afraid she'd never be able to bring herself back together. She didn't want anyone else to feel and know how bad she felt. It was hard, almost too hard, but she refrained from making everyone else miserable. She'd have to fess up soon though or else this demon she had inside her would eat her alive.
This wasn't any demon, no... this one fed off fear and sadness. She wouldn't let it make her nuts. Looking over at the window, she figured Angel should be the first to tell. "I know you're there." she spoke softly. "You've been there for most of the night."
"Sorry." Angel said apologetically.
She wiped the tears from her face and smiled slightly. This time it come out with sincerity. Whenever Angel was around, she felt safe. Even if it tore her up inside to know they could never be.
"How are you?" He asked going towards the bed. She moved over slightly so he could sit.
"Not the best, but I'm dealing." Buffy nodded. She just couldn't lie to him. It was hard to lie to the ones you loved. Lying to them felt as though she had slapped them in the face and called them dumb. She had respect for them all.
He sat down beside her and she leaned her back against his chest. Kissing the top of her head, he let out a long sigh. For that moment, both shared the same feelings. Both had been through Hell literally and both had the same anxieties. They shared the same pain. Buffy let out short burst of laughter that turned into sobbing.
"Oh God Angel it hurts so much." Buffy cried.
"I know...shhhhh." he whispered into her ear and held her close.
* * * * *
Xander kept his eyes on the small untamed path. This was only his second time going up the cliff. All he remembered was that it looked out over Sunnydale. In a few minutes the sun would rise. Right now, right now was what they called the darkest hour. The hours just before dawn.
He finally made it to the top and took a deep breath. He saw a figure that kneeled on the ground, looking over the cliff towards the small town. The cool wind blew the girl's hair to the side. The scene almost looked like a piece of art. Like some photograph you'd see in an art museum or in a magazine. The serenity, the peace. All that he had tried to come to terms with over the past few weeks. All those feelings were summed up to what stood before him. They had been right in front of him the whole time.
"Hey Buff." Xander said quietly.
She kept her eyes looking towards the glowing horizon. An angel, that was what she reminded him of. Something he hadn't thought of for weeks. Through all the terror, she still seemed to have a kind of quiet innocent look about her. "Look out there." she breathed.
(I was waiting for so long
For a miracle to come
Everyone told me to be strong
Hold on and don't shed a tear)
He looked. The sun just peaking in the horizon. The rays pierced the night sky, pushing away the darkness for a new day to come. It was beautiful. An image that would last a lifetime. It was one of those moments where every bad element faded away into nothing. All the turbulence in his life, all the rough waves that slammed into him, they all calmed into placid water. He smiled and walked up next to her.
(Through the darkness and good times
I knew I'd make it through
And the world thought I had it all
But I was waiting for you)
"Look at it. Isn't it beautiful?" Buffy asked not looking away from the sky. It started to glow in different colors. Almost like a painting. Some artist had splashed colors all over a canvas. The red, yellow, orange... It was magic. Something that you could feel, but it was just out of reach. This was one thing nobody could take away from him. Everyone of his friends would fight to the death for it's innocent beauty. This one blessed moment.
"Yeah." He replied pushing his hands into his pockets. He could feel the rays of warmth heating his cold and edgy nerves. It chased away the cool spring night breeze, bringing in the sweet smell of fresh morning dew. The smell of spring.
(I see a light in the sky
Oh, it's almost blinding me
I can't believe
I've been touched by an angel with love)
"I never knew it could be so beautiful." Buffy smiled looking over at him for the first time. Her eyes danced as the glow of the sun reflected off her face taking away all the shadows. And at that moment, he knew he'd be okay. He had to be. Because nothing could ever take away his life and soul unless he let it. He wouldn't let it. She looked back towards the sky. "Everyday it gets more beautiful. Xander... Life's a blessing. We have to use it wisely, cherish it. If we don't, the beauty... this beauty, will fade away and all we have left is darkness."
"Yeah, it'd be a pity to waste." he grinned. "I guess we all get lost sometimes."
She stood up. "And that's why we have friends. To help find us when we're lost."
He nodded.
(Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun
A new day has come)
She leaned back on his chest and he put his arms around her.
"Life is better when you have a guide. Someone to bring you out of the darkness and direct you back into the light." Buffy sighed.
He nodded and looked out as the sun crawled into the sky to bathe the town with it's glowing rays. So life was hard, but all of them had pushed though it before. Suddenly he became aware of what Buffy went through everyday. She came to this realization while others abused it. Life was a bunch of moments. What you do with them would be your decision.
(Where it was dark now there's light
Where there was pain now there's joy
Where there was weakness, I found my strength
All in the eyes of a boy)
"Another day in the Hellmouth?" Xander grinned. Buffy laughed.
(Hush, love
I see a light in the sky
Oh, it's almost blinding me
I can't believe
I've been touched by an angel with love
Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun)
* * * * *
"Hey look, it's Will." Xander called out grinning, his face full of mischief.
Willow looked at him confused. Last night he brushed her off and today he acted as if everything was normal. She knew those were signs of denial. It was in her psychology book. She looked at Oz with worry, but he just shrugged as if not noticing the quick change of attitude. The two made their way through the horde of teenagers who had one thing in mind, food.
Buffy stood near her locker throwing books at Xander who tried to catch them and put them in her bag. As soon as the last book dropped to the floor, the Slayer slammed the locker door closed and looked over at Xander with a sly grin.
(Let the rain come down and wash away my tears
Let it fill my soul and drown my fears
Let it shatter the walls for a new sun)
"Thanks for the much needed help." She laughed as he took a book that he hadn't caught off the floor and put it into her book bag. Throwing the book bag over his shoulder with his satchel, he shoved his free hand in his pocket.
"No prob, anything for the Bufster." Xander nodded and waved them over. Willow slowly came over, shouldering her own bag. "You know, you could try handing them to me. It's a fast and easy concept. First you take the book out of the locker and place it in my hand. Then you make sure I have it and let go of the book. I put it into the book bag aka backpack. It makes it a whole lot easier."
"That takes out all the fun." Buffy patted him on the back and put her crutch on to the ground. She leaned on it, waiting for them to get over to where they were. "I mean, since you're enjoying that 'Buffy has to get help' routine, well I might as well make it as tough as possible. It wouldn't make it fun and worth while for me."
Willow grinned. "Hey guys. How...how's everybody doing? Good I hope because you know bad is just... you know bad."
"What's up with Chucky?" Buffy asked Xander who shrugged.
"Who?" Willow asked confused.
"Chucky, you know. The guy from Rugrats." Buffy raised an eyebrow at her. Willow felt even more confused. Everything just didn't seem right.
Oz grinned and nodded. "I think it's sexy."
"Okay, what am I missing?" Willow asked looking at all of them.
Xander nodded. "You see, why are you acting so cautious? Relax. We're cool. No need to tip toe around us. We aren't breakable... At least I don't think we are... uh... Buff, want to chime in here and help poor Xander?"
"We're okay, I think that's what he's trying to say. If not, well... I don't really understand the Xander' jargon as well as I thought." Buffy shook her head at Xander who gave a sheepish shrug as if he couldn't help himself.
Oz put his arm around her and kissed her on the cheek. Finally letting down her guard, she let out a long sigh.
(I can't believe
I've been touched by an angel with love)
"Alright, my stomach's growling. It's like a big ol' beast kind of thing. It's got a mind of it's own. Let's go eat before I waste away into oblivion." Xander pointed towards the cafeteria.
"Okay Scrappy-Doo." Willow grinned following Buffy and Oz to the cafeteria. Xander stopped for a moment trying to think of what she had just said. Then he made the most hurt face he could come up with. It wasn't very good since he kept smiling.
"Hey." He said bringing up the tail. "That wasn't very friend-like. Take that back."
______________Please Review_____________