Title: Trust Me, Chapter 2
Rating: Same as the last chapter, R
Disclaimer: See first chapter. All lyrics are from Sarah McLachlan's song Angel.
Summary: As they take the ice for the first time in a competition, how will things go for Buffy and Angel? Will Darla manage to separate them?
Author's Note: I got a couple bad reviews for the first chapter, and I would like to apologize for any misleading statements in my story. This is complete fiction and it is not meant to be taken for fact. I have not done much research on the logistics of skating, so anything that seems out of the realm of reality probably is. This is all purely from my imagination.
Buffy paced nervously in front of the mirror in her dressing room. She and Angel were due to take the ice in ten minutes and she felt sick. It had been so long since she had staked doubles in front of a crowd that she thought she would die from nervousness. They had polished their routine and had cut out all of the big jumps that she had been uncomfortable with. As the first woman to ever do a quad jump in competition, she felt disappointed about not rising to meet a challenge, but five and a half spins had just been too much for her small frame.
"Buffy?" Giles asked, poking his head in the door, "Are you ready? You go on next."
"I'll be there in a minute Giles." Buffy told him without turning around. She reached for her skates and pulled them on, testing the blade and tightening the laces simply out of habit. She took off her sweater and inspected her appearance in front of the mirror. Her costume was bright red and very clingy so she felt a little uncomfortable in it, but it was easier to skate in than something loose and flowing like the other choices had been.
Angel watched the couple before him and Buffy take the ice and wondered again where she was. The couple was from Russia and they were very good. He watched their chemistry and synchronicity with a critical eye. He could detect no flaws in their flow of movement. The woman did look a little stiff and jerky though. His thought was proven true when she fell during a double toe loop. He grimaced at the obvious pain she was in from the way she landed, but was impressed when she climbed to her feet and continued with the program.
Buffy took a deep, stimulating breath and stepped out of her dressing room. She headed down the hall and saw a familiar blonde figure standing at the entrance to the skaters' box where she was supposed to wait for her turn to skate.
Darla turned around and smiled at Buffy maliciously. Buffy ignored her and tried to get past. Darla's bruising grip on her arm stopped her progress. Without a word Buffy turned around and removed Darla's fingers from her arm and attempted to continue to her seat.
"You aren't going anywhere until we have ourselves a little talk." Darla explained, tightening her grip on the younger woman's arm, making deep furrows in her skin.
"What do you want Darla? There is nothing to be said between us."
"That's where you're wrong sweetie. See, there's a system. And it's called not moving in on another woman's man. And it seems that you need a lesson in that particular subject. A lesson I am going to be more than happy to teach you."
"As enjoyable as this conversation sounds, it's gonna have to wait. I have to perform with my boyfriend. We're contenders for first place and we need to go over a couple tricky spots before we go on. I'm sure you understand. After all, as Angel's previous coach, you know all his little pre-performance quirks." Buffy stressed the word previous to make Darla angry enough to move out of her way. She succeeded in buying herself a small amount of time where Darla was speechless.
Angel saw Buffy enter their seats looking a little shook up. He excused himself from the people he was talking to and walked over to where his girlfriend was sitting. She offered him a weak smile and bent over to stretch.
"What happened?"
"Nothing. Darla and I just had a little talk and it shook me up a little. Nothing for you to worry about though." Buffy assured him, finishing her stretches. She stood up and raised her arms above her head, stretching out all the muscles in her arms.
"What did she say?"
"Not much. Just that we needed to talk about the rules of stealing men. I seem to think that I didn't violate any of the rules since we weren't friends, and you and she were not dating at the time I allegedly stole you from her." Buffy explained, "And even if you had been dating, I sure didn't have to try very hard to get you. At all actually. In fact, the whole thing was based on certain compromising circumstances."
Angel nodded. "Are you sure it didn't upset you? If it did, I can go talk to her. She always listened to me."
Buffy shook her head. "As much as I hate it, this is my fight and truth be told, I was in the wrong. I always try to consider other peoples feelings hen I make a decision, and when I decided to be with you, I never even thought about her feelings."
"It wasn't your place to think about her feelings. There was nothing between us and she never let either of us know that she was interested. If she had, I would say let's talk to her, but since she is being an evil bitch about the entire situation, then I say let's forget about it and concentrate on walking out of here with the gold medal."
Giles hurried over, "Guys, get on the ice! It's your turn to skate!" he announced and the pair took off their protective skate coverings and took the ice.
"And now, taking the ice for the first time in four years, World, National, and Olympic champions, Liam Angelus Deveraux and Buffy Anne Summers!" the announcer announced over the speaker system.
Buffy and Angel too a simultaneous breath and glided onto the ice in perfect unison. They stopped near the center of the ice and waited for their music, "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan to begin. When the opening notes began, Buffy skated away, going around the rink in a loop by herself.
Spend all your time waiting for that second chance
For the break that will make it okay.
After those two line Angel joined her for a pair of double toe loops and the followed her for another loop, gaining speed as they prepared for their first triple jump, a lutz. Their landings were perfect and simultaneous, earning them a large round of applause from the crowd and a whistle from one of the commentators.
There's always some reason to feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction or a beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins
Buffy skated into Angel's arms for some intricate footwork and a throw before the chorus began.
Let me be empty and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight.
Angel wrapped his arms around Buffy's waist and they glided across the ice in a large figure eight, her feet on top of his and her arms behind her head, wrapped around his neck.
In the arms of the Angel far away from here
From this dark cold hotel room and the endlessness that you fear
Buffy left the warms confines of Angel's arms and swiftly glided away from him at top speed. He went one way, and she the other, and just when they were about to pass each other, they did a triple axle, triple toe loop combination that went into a scratch spin.
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent revelrie
You're in the arms of the Angel; may you find some comfort here
Angel grabbed Buffy from behind and lifted her over his head before tossing her. She spun in the air and then touched down gracefully. He caught up with her and he lifted her again, that time turning her around so that she could wrap her legs around his waist then bend backwards so that her hair was nearly trailing on the ice.
So tired of the straight line, and everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back
The storm keeps on twisting, you keep building the lies
That you make up for all that you lack
Buffy did a quick triple-double axle combo as she skated toward Angel for their next set of simultaneous jumps, a double-quad combination then a combination spin. After that, they parted ways again and, at opposite sides of the rink, did triple lutz's.
It don't make no difference, escaping one last time
It's easier to believe,
In this sweet madness, oh this glorious sadness
That brings me to my knees.
Buffy skated into Angel's arms for the final sequence of steps, spins, another triple-triple combination and a throw. She helped him lift her slightly, then folded her arms into her chest as he prepared to throw her. He tossed her, and she rotated three and a half times before touching down moments before they lined up for their jump combination.
In the arms of the Angel far away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you fear
Angel lined them up perfectly for the jump combination, and the triples were simultaneous and perfectly executed. They landed only a few steps apart and he swept her back into his arms for the ending footwork. The last lines of the song echoed throughout the building as they ended then routine and took their final poses, her arms around his neck, their bodies pressed tightly against each other and their mouths lightly touching.
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent revelrie
In the arms of the Angel; may you find some comfort here
You're in the arms of the Angel; may you find some comfort here.
Buffy relinquished her hold on Angel and, hands joined tightly, they took their bows as flowers and small stuffed animals rained down on the ice. They took one loop around, picking some of the stuff up, then left the ice to impatiently await their scores. Both were nervous, and the nervousness was increasing with every passing moment as they waited for the scores to be announce.
"And the technical scores for Liam Deveraux and Buffy Summers are as follows: 5.9, 5.8, 5.9, 5.9, 6.0, 6.0, 6.0. And the artistic scores are: 5.8, 5.8, 5.9, 5.9, 6.0, 5.9, 6.0. Score is: 5.92, placing them in first place.
Buffy screamed and threw herself into Angel's arms. He lifted her and twirled her around in a large circle before kissing her solidly on the mouth, and lifting her into his arms. He held her for a long moment as they kissed, then reluctantly placed her back on her feet. She hugged him again, then hugged Giles, who had come over to congratulate them, tightly.
"Thank you so much Giles, we never could have done this without you." Buffy said sincerely. "It means more than you can ever know."
"It was no problem Buffy. Now you two need to go get changed and watch the other couples perform. I really don't see any competition, and I would say that you two have the gold in the bag."
Buffy cheered once, then hugged the two men again before excusing herself to go to her dressing room to change and cool down for a few minutes. She took off her skates in the hall and padded down the long corridor barefoot. She never even noticed Darla following her until she followed her into her dressing room and shut the door behind them.
"What do you want? I'm a little busy." Buffy demanded, tossing her skates on the couch and turning to face the other blonde.
"I want to talk to you."
"We've said everything that needs to be said. Now I would very much appreciate it if you left."
"No. I'm not going anywhere until we have ourselves a little talk."
"Fine. Then you can stay here, but I need to get changed into something more comfortable and go watch the other competitors. It's only polite."
"Screw polite. You and I are going to talk honey. And neither of us are leaving this room until we do."
"Fine. What do you want to talk about? The weather? Or would you like me to tell you how good Angel is in bed, since you never got the chance to find out?"
Darla gaped for a moment before chuckling. "Nice one my dear. You're getting a quick tongue there."
"Angel seems to think so."
The barb hit. Darla reeled a little before continuing. The verbal battle wasn't going to be as easy a win as she thought. "I know. He was just telling my brother about all the things you do with that tongue this morning. I never thought you had it in you Buffy. You always seemed too virtuous and innocent. But then again, Angel always did like virgins better than experienced women. He claimed they were a tighter, and better screw. Something about how they'd do whatever he wanted without asking questions."
"Whatever. Do you really think I'm going to fall for any of this crap? Angel and I are together because we love each other. No other reason. And if he were after blushing virgins, he would've had you a long time ago, because God knows no man who wasn't just a wham bam thank you ma'am kind of guy wouldn't touch you."
"Okay, now that the little bickering part of our argument is over the real fun begins. You slept with Angel, and that in itself is unforgivable. Did you ever wonder why none of the girls Angel sleeps with are ever with him for more than a day or two?"
"Not really."
"They never stay together because they are all either scared or bribed away. And if that doesn't work, let's just say, they meet their maker a little sooner than expected. So what's it gonna be? Money, fear or death that's going to get you away from my Angel?"
"How about none of the above? You aren't smart enough to get away with murder, Darla. It takes brains to do that. And you are seriously lacking in the brains department. I have enough money and you don't scare me in the least. So let's suffice it to say that you aren't going to get rid of me."
"I wouldn't bet on that. See, the only good thing about having a lot of ties to unscrupulous people is having all their man power at my disposal. So either you leave Angel alone and make yourself scarce until he forgets about you or I will put out a mob hit on your head and you won't live to see your next birthday."
"You don't scare me Darla. I'm not a nobody girlfriend. If I start yelling about a mob hit and a murder plot on my head, people will listen and even if you kill me or have me killed, you'll still be held responsible. I won't let you get away with anything and now you've just admitted to murder. Do you think that I'll just sit here and do nothing? I really don't think so." Buffy said, changing into her warm ups at a rapid pace. She grabbed her stuff and walked toward the door. She never let Darla know how much the admission of murder and the threat on her life had shaken her.
Angel walked out of his dressing room and walked down to Buffy's just as she left it. She looked shaken and her face was white as a ghost. He grabbed her arm to steady and started to lead her back inside. She refused adamantly so he led her down to his dressing room and shut and locked the door behind them.
"What's wrong?" he demanded, pushing her down on the couch.
"Nothing. I'm fine." Buffy said shakily, trying to compose herself.
"Then why are you about to cry? You're shaking like a leaf. What happened? You came out of your dressing room like you'd just heard that your dog died."
Buffy knew he wasn't going to let her get away without an explanation. "I can't tell you. If I do, I know she'll kill me."
Angel sank down beside her, shock evident on his face. "Who's going to kill you? Buffy, sweetie, tell me what happened so I can protect you."
"I can't."
"Yes, you can. I swear nothing will happen to you."
Buffy suddenly found herself wanting nothing more than to spill everything to him. "Okay. But you can't say or do anything. If she finds out, I'm dead."
"I won't say anything."
"When I got back to my room, Darla was following me. She went inside and verbal bashing began. Then she admitted to murder. She asked me why I thought that none of your girlfriends were ever with you for more than a day or two. Then she told me that she either killed, bribed or scared them. And she said that if I told anybody she'd have me killed too and the scary thing is, I believe her. So you can't say a word."
Angel sighed deeply and hugged her close. "I won't say anything. But you aren't getting out of my sight until we have enough proof to put her away. Got it?"
Buffy managed a weak smile. "Got it. Oh, she also said that she's from a mob family. She doesn't actually do the killing. She hires people to do it."
After another hour of talking, Giles came and got them. The results were about to be announced and the awards given. Buffy quickly washed her face, reapplied her makeup with what she had in her bags, changed back into her costume, which she had brought with her, put her skates on and followed Angel out of the room, down the hall, and into the skaters' box.
"And the winner, with an average score of 5.92 is, Liam Deveraux and Buffy Summers!" the announcement startled them and Buffy and Angel hugged and tried their hardest to look happy, despite their startling news.
Twenty minutes later, Buffy and Angel were standing on the top of the podium at the awards ceremony. The judges were passing out the medals and Buffy and Angel both accepted their gold medals graciously. They hugged and kissed and then Angel spoke.
"I love you, Buffy."
"I love you too, Angel."
And then all Hell broke loose. Darla came charging onto the ice with a skate blade being brandished as her weapon. No one caught her until it was too late. She bashed Buffy on the back of the head, and as she fell forward, sliced her again on the back of one knee. Blood spurted everywhere and Buffy fell into Angel's arms, already unconscious from the force of the blow. The other men grabbed Darla and Giles dialed 911. Darla kicked and screamed and managed to break a couple noses before she was detained by security guards who had rushed onto the ice.
Angel couldn't focus on anything except Buffy and everything about her was painfully clear. The blood coming off her face and landing on his arm, the way her head lolled to one side, her breathing shallow. He cradled her against him and sank down to the podium slowly, so as not to jar her too much.
Giles ran over and crouched down beside Angel and Buffy. He said something, but Angle didn't know what. He reached out and pressed his hand to the slash along the back of her skull that was gushing blood and grimaced as blood still poured from between his fingers.
"I called 911. The paramedics are on their way. They had just left the building and will be here in a minute or two." Giles said again, more slowly so Angel could hear him, but still got the distinct impression that he was being ignored.
Angel heard sirens in the distance over the din of people yelling and looked toward the entrance just seconds before the paramedics rushed in with a stretcher and a first aid kit. They also had an IV and a heart monitor. He watched as they ran over, then objected when they took Buffy away.
"Don't move her." He said tensely. "Her neck is hurt."
"Sir, please. Let us do our job." One paramedic said, regarding Angel with some animosity. He pressed gauze to the back of her head and helped his partner, a woman lift her onto the gurney.
"Are you coming?" the woman asked Angel quickly, looking back at him over her shoulder. He nodded and ran to catch up with them. Giles had already left to get his car and follow the ambulance to the hospital.
The staff at the hospital wasn't expecting a famous ice skater when the call came over about a sever lacerations to the back of the head and knees. The ER doctor on call had been expecting a fight gone wrong or the result of a brawl at the rink. What he got was Olympic gold medalist Buffy Summers with severe cranial swelling, a two inch deep slice on the back of her skull and with a slash across the back of her knee that had cut several tendons and severed a lot of muscles. He shook his head and looked at his nurse, who was applying pressure to her knee to stop all the bleeding.
"If that knee is as bad as I think it is, she won't skate again."
"It's that bad. How's her head?"
"Her brain is swelling from the trauma so we'll need to drill a hole to relieve the pressure, and this cut definitely needs a lot of stitches. I'd say she also has a pretty bad concussion, and maybe a hairline fracture. How's the knee?"
"From the way it looks, the tendons will need to be pieced back together, the muscle looks like hamburger and a couple ligaments are history."
"Call down and get me an OR. I need to take her into emergency surgery to drill that hole in her skull. And call the reconstructive surgeon. She'll need to come in tomorrow and try to repair that knee. For now, butterfly it and wrap it good. Disinfect it too. We don't want any infection settling in."
The nurse ran off to do what she had been told and Dr. Williams prepared to take Buffy into surgery. She looked awful. Her hair was matted with blood and her face covered with it. She would have to be cleaned up before they did anything. Sighing, he called another nurse in to get her prepped for surgery. He had the unfortunate job of going to talk to her family.
Angel jumped up when he saw a doctor come out. "How is she?" he asked, instinctively knowing that he was coming out to talk about Buffy.
"She'll live. I have to take her into emergency surgery to drill a hole in her skull where the trauma made her brain swell and the laceration along the back of her skull cut pretty deep. I'll have to stitch that up. She'll go into ICU after the surgery and stay there until tomorrow when our reconstructive surgeon will attempt to put her knee back together. In my professional opinion, it does not look like she will ever skate again. It could be months before she can walk without the aid of crutches."
Don't ya just love cliff hangers? I'll try to get the next chapter out soon. Stay tuned for the next chapters of Fixing Things and Recipe for Disaster? Too. I will be updating soon.