Title: Runaway
Chapter 11: The Slayer
Disclaimer: Chapter 1, see.
Author's Note: Right, I finally remembered that nobody (except me, of course) knew why Angel was walking in the sunlight. So finally here is the long promised chapter that explains all.
Buffy and Willow sat alone and talked for hours after their original reunion. There was laughter, memories, shouting and tears, but by the end of it they were closer than ever and a bond had been formed through shared suffering that could never be broken.
The only reason that they had eventually stopped was Buffy's sudden realization that she still looked like Angela. Dyed hair, bad makeup and clothes that did nothing for her, not to mention the fact that she hadn't showered in days.
Buffy had gone to the girl's locker room while Willow went to find some better clothes for her.
Clothes found by Cordelia tucked under one arm she was walking to the locker room when she bumped into Angel.
"Hi, Willow."
"Hey, how did it go with Professor Walsh?"
"Okay, she did some tests and things but that's about it. Oh yeah, there's a big meeting in an hour. Everyone's meeting in the library."
"Sure. Until then do you wanna come see Buffy? You guys didn't have much time to talk." Predictably Angel brightened at the thought and he nodded.
Willow led him down corridors to a part of the school he didn't think he'd been to before. Finally she stopped at a door and smiled. "You can't come in here."
"Why n- Oh! Right!" He flushed brightly as he read the sign. "I'll just uh, sit here then."
Angel sat on the bench and watched her go through the door, before leaning back and trying very hard to get the pictures of Buffy in the shower out of his head.
"Buffy, Cordy and me got you some clothes."
"Great, Will, I'm just over here." The further she walked the steamier it got and Willow grinned as she remember how hot her best friend liked her showers.
Good thing she's the Slayer. It would probably cook a normal person.
"Here's a towel."
"Thanks. You know it's been months since I even had a warm shower?" Buffy turned around and wrapped said towel around her body. "So what did you get me?"
Angel looked up as the door opened again.
"Ready for this?" Willow asked with a grin.
He frowned and was about to ask what she meant but the words died in his mouth.
The dye and makeup had gone leaving the golden haired, green eyed beauty wearing a short skirt and a shirt that had haunted him.
"Whoa," he breathed finally. "You looked good, I mean really good. Great even."
Willow's smile widened even more. When she had left Buffy had been beautiful but now, four years later, her beauty had matured leaving a woman who - if a little too thin - was absolutely stunning. As Angel obviously noticed, she thought with glee. Even with no memories he's helpless.
"Thanks, you look good too," Buffy replied with a smile, gesturing to his jeans and white t-shirt.
Seeing that she wasn't going to get much else out of them Willow intervened.
"Right, Buffy, we've got a meeting in an hour, but until then why don't we all talk?"
"Sure, why not?"
Buffy proceeded to tell Angel a very cut and edited version of the past four years of her life before asking, "So, Angel, what's your story? Are you human?" She said it casually, but her heart was pounding.
Buffy didn't know how she'd managed to be so calm since they'd met again but know she was dying to know the answer.
He smiled slightly. "No, I'm not human. Well, not really. I'm a half vampire."
Buffy blinked in surprise. That wasn't what she'd been expecting. "Half vampire. They even exist?"
"I'm the only one that I know off. It means that I don't have to drink nearly as much blood, I eat human food as well, I can go out in sunlight, crosses and holy water don't bother me, I'm still immortal and have a game face but there is no chance of the demon ever getting control."
This time Buffy was beyond shocked. Sunlight? Food? Wait, I already knew those, but no curse?
"Are you sure?" she forced herself to ask calmly.
"Completely. Doyle, he's half demon and a messenger for the Powers That Be, saw it in a vision."
"Wow, that's, that's great news, you must be thrilled."
"Yeah, it's great. I'm not sure why everyone was so bothered about whether or not my soul was permanent or not though."
Willow's eyes visibly widened, but Buffy managed to shrug. "They were probably just worried about what might happen if the demon got loose. I mean, he could probably cause quite a lot of damage."
Before the conversation could continue and Angel found out something that he shouldn't Willow coughed slightly.
"Huh, the hour's up already. We should be getting to the library. Don't want to be late."
"I guess I'll see you guys later then."
"What? Buffy, you're coming with us!"
"I am? Why?"
"Because, you've got experience."
Angel was a bit confused. She has experience with demons? Where from?
"I don't know, Will. I don't want to intrude or anything." That was more than true. She hadn't really got a good reading on most of the gang's feelings but what she'd read hadn't been good. Xander had yelled before storming out and had since refused to go anywhere near her, Oz was obviously a bit resentful of the pain she had caused Willow, and Giles had been strangely vague and distanced.
"You've got to come. See, Resolve Face." Buffy laughed. Even before she had left Willow's Resolve Face had rarely not gotten what she wanted and Buffy had the feeling that since the witch had become more confident it was even more effective.
Finally Buffy nodded. "Alright, I'll come. It's not like I don't know where the library is."
"Good. Then everything's settled. Come on, Angel."
But by the time they were at the doors to the familiar library Buffy was having second, third and fourth thoughts. "Maybe this isn't such a good idea. I'm sure you'll be very busy and I'll just get in the way." She turned and made to walk back down the corridor, but Willow grabbed one arm while Angel held the other.
"You are going in there even if it kills all three of us," her best friend told her firmly.
"Traitors."
Willow's voice softened. "You've got to face them sooner or later."
The Slayer face and voice firmed with decision. "You're right. Okay, let's do this before I change my mind."
Everybody in the library looked up as the three entered, and total silence descended as the people looked at the intruder in their midst.
Finally one of the commandos spoke, his tone respectful. "Excuse me, Miss Rosenburg, but this is meant to be a private meeting. It requires 2nd level Security Clearance. I'm afraid your friend will have to wait outside."
"No, Graham, Buffy is here to help us and is going to be involved from now on." Buffy had never heard this commanding tone in her voice before. The commando nodded reluctantly and sat down.
"Yes, i-it's alright, Buffy can stay of course, why don't you all sit down?" The same vague, strangely distant tone that she'd heard before was in his voice. And it was only directed at her. "Now then everyone. I think that almost everyone is here, so we can begin shortly."
The doors opened again and a girl perhaps eighteen years old walked through the door. She had dark black hair that went part way down her back and gray eyes, her clothes were conservative, almost regulation, despite that she was undeniably pretty. There was something strangely familiar about her, but Buffy disliked the girl on sight.
This is stupid, you haven't even met her, she told herself firmly. So? There's something about her . . . Something I can't explain. And then there was the warm voice that Giles used to great her.
"Anna, excellent timing. I trust that everything went well?"
The girl, Anna, nodded. "Fine, Giles. I staked a few vampires. It's really a pity that Angel couldn't be there to help me with things." She turned and smiled flirtatiously at Angel. Buffy felt herself stiffen slightly.
"Ah, yes. Angel will of course be helping you tomorrow night."
Helping her with what? asked Buffy's mind jealously.
"Now however," Giles continued. "I would like you to meet Buffy Summers. Buffy, this is Anna Cunningham. The Vampire Slayer."
At that Buffy froze. That explained the strange feeling she had had when Anna walked in the door. And Giles' tone said everything.
She was Kendra's replacement. Hell, Anna was her replacement. Giles was the girl's new Watcher. And even worse, the new Slayer had a crush on Angel. A huge crush.
~
Yet another cliff hanger. But not as bad as some of the other ones. I really hope you enjoyed these 3 chapters. Besides, now you know why Angel was in the sunlight, and he very conveniently doesn't have a curse. Unfortunately he doesn't have any memories either. I love being evil.
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PennyC