Disclaimer: Not mine. We all know.
~Angel V.O.~
I've known Buffy almost all my life...
I've seen her grow and change. As the years went on I eventually realized
that I was in love with her. I knew that no matter what was going on or
who she was with I have to make sure she's happy and safe. There
was one day that I was actually going to tell Buffy how I felt, but then I saw
her kissing Riley one night outside her house. I guess maybe that was
their first date because it was nothing more than a peck on the cheek.
Anyway... Once Buffy turned 18 her life kinda started to spiral downward out of
her control. Her parents were getting a divorce, her boyfriend of two
months broke up with her... and things started to happen... which are a little
hard to explain, but I'll try. I suppose I'll start at the beginning.
There was one night she had a nightmare of
vampires and demons... it was a feeling of darkness and great evil. Since
her nightmare she started walking through the graveyard with wooden stake and a
cross. Patrolling as she called it. Her first night out she thought she
was being ridiculous. "There are is no such thing as vampires..." She
mumbled to herself. Then what she saw made her eyes pop out of her
head. It couldn't be. Her mind was playing tricks on her. The
thing that was snarling at her, it wasn't real. Vampires aren't
real. But she fought it. She could feel the physical contact with
the beast. And instinctively she tried to stake it, but missed, "Not
the heart." She muttered and then struck again, staking it
successfully. She sat on the ground staring at where it had been in
disbelief. "No. NO. I can't do this... I can't..."
For the next week or two she went out
every night. One night Riley had called to see if Buffy wanted to go out and
Buffy said 'no'. The next day at school Riley asked Buffy to sit
with him alone. "Buffy... you've been distancing yourself from
me... I'm beginning to think you're losing interest in us. Buffy
please... be honest with me. When you go out at night... do you um... are
you going out with Liam O'Conner?"
Buffy looked taken aback by the question.
"Liam and I are just friends." Riley thought, "right. Just
friends." Buffy continued. "When I go out at night I
patrol the cemeteries, slaying vampires." *There... plain and
simple... straight to the crazy sounding truth. He has a nut for a girlfriend.
* She thought.
"Vampires..." He repeated and
Buffy nodded. "Buffy, I'm sorry. We've obviously grown
apart... and you've... changed. I care about you but I don't think this
is going to workout. We can't see each other anymore. I'm
sorry. It's over."
She swallowed, "Wha-What? What do you
mean? Over. It's only just begun."
He squeezed her hand, "I'm
sorry. I wish it didn't have to be this way."
Her eyes were misty. "You mean
to tell me that you think everything we've done together means nothing?"
"No. I think that is what our
relationship is to you. Nothing."
She tossed his hand away from her and hissed,
"Bastard." She slapped him and got up, walking quickly out of
the cafeteria to the bathroom. In the stall she began to cry. Soon
she took in a deep breath and looked in the mirror. She wiped her eyes
with a handkerchief that Angel gave her once when they were little kids.
Angel was walking when suddenly Buffy
bumped into him as she was exiting the bathroom. "Ooh!
Sorry..." She mumbled looking down.
He held onto her arms, "Buffy? It's
ok."
She smiled up at him, "Oh heh Angel,
hey."
"Hey." He scrutinized her
beautiful face, noticing how her eyes were slightly pink and her nose was
pink. He lifted her chin with his finger, "You ok?"
She sighed, "Me heh yeah I'm fine
really. Don't worry about Buffy."
"Buffy... What's wrong you can tell
me." Angel said trying to get her to talk. He smiled.
She smiled back weakly.
"Well... um I told Riley some stuff that's been going on lately and he
said some things about how I've been distancing myself from him...
blahblahblah. We're over. Finished. Through… End of story.
Moving on?"
Inside Angel had mixed feelings.
Every since Buffy blossomed into a beautiful woman with a wonderful personality
he'd fallen in love with her. He'd made it his job to make sure she's
never hurt by anyone... to make sure she's always happy and never sad.
Now she was hurt by something that partially made him relieved. He was
happy Riley didn't want to be with her because that meant he has an opportunity
to step in, yet he felt bad because she seemed to be hurting by this... even
though she may not be showing it that much. He quietly mumbled,
"Buffy, I'm so sorry... Do you want to go for a walk, get some
air?"
Buffy smiled at him, "Thanks, but I
think I'll just go on with my day like nothing happened.
"You don't have to hide anything...
If you're hurting you can tell me.. If you need anything at all --"
He rubbed her arm.
"Really, I'm fine. I don't need
anything. Everything's peachy. Right as rain."
Angel sighed. He hated it when she
bottled things up because eventually the bottle will explode. Sometimes
it can be hard to pick up the pieces and even if you able to. . . It's not
always back to the way it used to be. "If you need me though, you
know I'm here."
She smiled again.
"Thanks."
"You want to go for a walk or
something? We can go to the Expresso Pump." He asked.
"Yeah, sure... why not?"
"I haven't seen you that much
lately. What's been going on?" Angel asked.
Buffy took a huge sip of her mocha.
"Oh not much... little bit of this... little bit of that." She
laughed. "Nothing interesting I swear."
"Buffy..."
"Oh ok ok. You're probably going to
think I'm insane... I know Riley probably did. Lately I've been going out
at night. Patrolling I call it. I slay the vampires." Buffy said
seriously and looked straight at him.
Angel chuckled, "You slay vampires
huh?" Then he noticed how serious her face was. He felt it was a little
strange, but he figured even with the serious face maybe she didn't really mean
what she said. "Well... That's interesting."
"You must think I'm insane." She
said in a small voice.
"No." He replied quickly.
"You aren't insane... Just that's a pretty strange thing to hear.
Maybe you could show me one night?"
"You actually believe me." She
said flatly.
"Why shouldn't I?" He asked,
taking hold of her hand. "I love you, I'll believe anything you
say." *Oops. I let that slip. Now's not the time to be
proclaiming your love for her. *
"It wouldn't be safe for you-- You
love me?" She looked at him with a half smile.
He cleared his throat and quietly began,
"Yes. For a very long time."
"Wow... I'm not sure what to
say."
He cupped her cheek, "You don't have
to say anything."
Slowly she asked, "So... do you want
to-o-o start dating? Like as a couple... you and me?"
He smiled, "I would like that.
But if it's too soon for you to be getting into a relationship--"
"Don't worry about that Angel."
She smiled, "Riley was stupid. I don't need to time to get over
him. After he showed a bit of his true character, he doesn't deserve me
wallowing 'cause he dumped me. Forget him, because honestly I do feel
something for you. I always have. I don't know if it's love yet. I
just know it's there. It was just waiting for me to wake up and smell the
blooming flowers. I like my guys sweet, smart and charming. That's
you."
"Glad it is." He said.
"How about as our first date we see a romantic movie and then you can show
me your new night life."
"Sounds good, although I can't
guarantee the second part of the date will be fun. You might actually
find it boring."
"As long as you're entertaining me,
there's no way I'll get bored."
She sighed, "If you say so."
Friday Night: Restfield Cemetery
"Well, It's only our first date
and already we're watching sex films together." Buffy said quietly.
"Hey you picked it." Angel said,
pointing a finger at her.
"Yeah, but you're the one who said
pick a romantic movie..." She chuckled. "I sure know how to
pick movies. I can just imagine us being married... Every Friday I'll be
renting you adult films to watch while I bake cookies in the kitchen."
Angel laughed, "Naah.... It wasn't
that bad Buffy I mean there was after all a small story that came before the
sex."
"You need to Sleepless in Seattle.
You'll love it."
He smiled, "Movie in the comfort of
one of our own homes sounds like a nice next date. Sleepless in Seattle
it is."
They walked a little further. Buffy
heard some rustling in the bushes. She pulled out her stake and said to
Angel. "This is Mr. Pointy, my stake."
He smirked, "You named your
stake? You need a stuffed animal."
"Seeing as how you've forgotten... I
have a stuffed animal. My pig, Mr. Gordo."
He chuckled quietly, "Oh yeah, I
remember him. Funny little fellow." The vampire popped out of the
bushes. "Isn't he an ugly bastard."
"Yes, he is..."
"Die, Slayer." The vampire
shouted.
"Um. No." Buffy jumped forward,
kicking and punching it.
A second vampire jumped behind Buffy that
was about to grab her by the neck. Angel grabbed it's arms and pushed him
away from Buffy. Buffy pushed her vamp to the ground. She punched
it repeatedly. "I..*punch* don't *punch* like *punch* you!" And then
she plunged the stake into its heart. She looked up and saw Angel
naturally fighting off the other vamp. He was punching and kicking.
He almost looked like a pro. When Angel called for Buffy she ran up to him and
staked the vamp. She brushed off her clothes. "Wow." She mumbled.
"What?" Angel asked taking in as
much air as possible.
"You... fighting. I didn't realize
you could do that."
"Tai Chi and five years of Tae Kwon
Doe really pays off." He smiled and ran his fingers through her
hair. Softly he asked, "Are you okay?"
Buffy smiled, "I'm tired, but
fine." She yawned which caused Angel to yawn.
"Wanna crash at my place tonight? I really don't feel like being alone."
"Sure." He put his arm around
her and kissed her forehead.
Buffy opened the door to the house.
Once Angel was inside she quietly closed it. "We have to be quiet on
the way up."
"Ok."
Once inside her room Buffy pulled out her
pajamas shorts and a tank top. "Can you please turn around while I
change?"
Angel nodded and turned. He looked at the
dangling cross he had given her a while back. It was only after Buffy was
in nothing but bra and underwear on that Angel realized he could see her
changing, so he hastily closed his eyes and looked down. "Ok."
Buffy said. "You can turn around now."
He did so and smiled, "Cute."
The tank had a little pink cat on it.
"Thanks." She smiled.
"So which side do you want?"
Confused he asked, "Which side?"
She giggled, "Of the bed,
silly."
"Oh... um I'll just take the
floor." He said, taking off his jacket and shoes.
"It's ok Angel. I want you to
sleep with me-- uh heh sleep in bed with me."
"If that's what you want... then I'll
take the left." He said and removed his shirt, leaving his chest bare and
pants on.
Buffy smiled at his very nice
muscles. Once she snapped out of it she got into bed and watched him do
the same. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "Goodnight, my
sweetheart."
She grinned like a baby. "Nite,
Angel." She whispered and turned away from him, leaning back into him.
~ Angel V.O. ~
((Laugh)) That morning... I'll never forget
the look on Buffy's face. She looked like a deer caught in front of
headlights. Now Joyce... heh you know... normally she's the sweetest
woman, but damn she scared the crap out of me.
Joyce walked into her daughter's room
as usual to wake her up for school because as usual Buffy was sleeping
late. She wasn't expecting to see her little baby sleeping comfortably in
the arms of her childhood friend. Her eyes went wide as she yelled,
"Angel?!"
Angel shot up, "Huh..."
"Angel, what the hell do you think
you're doing sleeping with my daughter?!" She continued to yell.
"Mom! It's not what you
think. We were just… sleeping." Buffy shouted at her mother.
"That's all." Angel added.
Buffy mumbled, "Stop yelling..."
"No I will not stop yelling."
Joyce shouted, but not as loud. "How do you expect me to react when
I find you in the arms of a guy that doesn't even has his shirt on."
"I just didn't want to be alone
tonight. It's not a big deal... we were just sleeping." She combed
her hand through her messy hair.
A now calmed Joyce asked, "Whatever
happened to Riley?"
"We... aren't seeing each other
anymore. He broke up with me." She said quietly.
"Why would he break up with, sweetie?
You two looked like you were getting along so well." Joyce asked more
softly now and sat on the side of the bed.
"Mom... I don't really want to talk
about it right now. Maybe later." Buffy answered.
"Ok... But about you and
Angel... if you two are so willing to so much as sleep in the same bed... I
think also later we need to have the talk."
"Mo-o-o-m-m... Please...."
Angel cut in, "Mrs. Summers I don't
think you need to worry about that for a while."
"A while?"
"Um..." He looked into Buffy's
eyes while he spoke, "We only just started going out tonight... And I like
to take my time before rushing into things.... like uh... making love." He
said softly and Buffy blushed.
"That's very good... but Buffy you
are still getting the talk tonight. That's that... now you get ready for
school. Angel I assume you're going home first?" Joyce asked as she
got up.
Angel looked at Buffy and then at Joyce.
"Um... No I think I'll just go in the clothes I wore yesterday. There's
not really time to go home and change. I walk Buffy to school."
"Ok, but you aren't staying in here
while Buffy gets dressed. So c'mon.. get your stuff and come downstairs."
Joyce said as she left them alone.
Angel sighed, "Well..."
"You want to make love to me one
day?" Buffy asked shyly.
He brought his hand up to her hair and
pushed a strand behind her ear. "Yeah." He said softly. "One
day."
Buffy smiled and then groaned,
"Great... I gotta have the talk with mom. I just hope my dad isn't
going to be part of it."
"I'm glad it wasn't your dad walking
in on us. He would have killed me on the spot." He said.
"Nah.. I think you're underestimating
him." She smiled, "He knows what a great caring guy are and he knows
you wouldn't take advantage of me. So yeah he'd probably be a little freaked
out at first to see us in bed, but no way would overreact like my mom
did."
Angel smiled, "I think I better go
downstairs before your mom comes back up again." He kissed Buffy's
forehead and got up, putting his shirt on. He picked up his shoes and
went into the living room where Joyce was sitting.
Joyce had her hands in her lap.
"So... I assume Buffy told you what happened between her and Riley?"
"I'm sorry, I really can't say
anything. It's up to Buffy to tell you." Angel replied politely. Joyce
nodded her head.
Buffy came down the stairs in a light blue
knee length skirt and a black tank top with the leather jacket Angel gave her
once. To Angel, she looked radiant. "Angel I'm ready to
go." She grinned.
"Great." Angel smiled and walked
up to her, taking his hand in hers.
"Angel, don't you have a car?"
Mrs. Summers asked.
He looked at Buffy's mom.
"Yeah, I do... Last when Buffy and I went out I didn't really think to
take it. It was such a nice night I thought it just be better to
walk. My car is still at the school."
"Oh... ok, but next time you prefer
to walk at night... I would prefer if you drove your car. There are lots
of crazy people out at night. I want my baby to be safe."
Buffy laughed, "Crazy like you
wouldn't believe." She thought, *and butt ugly, ugh*
"Next time, it'll be the car."
Angel replied to Joyce's request.
"Well, you better be going."
Joyce said slowly.
Angel nodded and Buffy hugged her mom,
goodbye. "See ya, later." She mumbled.
As they walked outside hand in hand, along
the sidewalk Angel gave Buffy a quick peck on the cheek. Buffy giggled,
"I could get used this... the pampering. You are going to pamper me
right?"
"Definitely." He thought for a
minute, "Tonight, my place or yours... you want to watch Sleepless in Seattle
or do you need to patrol."
"Naah, I could use a break.
Your place. I'll bring the movie. If we watched the movie at my
place mom would be watching the movie with us for two reasons. One: She
likes Sleepless in Seattle Two: She'd definitely want to keep an eye on
us. Every single time Riley was at my house and we were
sitting on the couch. I could see my mom's reflection on the
entertainment center that she was watching us." She laughed.
"You'd expect that my dad would spy on us."
Angel laughed, "I'm surprised he
wasn't... unless maybe he has a camera in the living room and you just don't
know, so he could secretly keep an eye on you and Riley."
"Ooh... That's a nasty thought.
You know... the thought of my dad watching Riley and me kissing on a TV screen.
Please wipe that image from me right now." She muttered.
Angel smiled, "Ok." He stopped
them, turning her to face him and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips.
"That better?"
"Much." She said as they
continued walking. She sighed, "This is nice. I like walking
with you."
"I remember back when we were little
when I walked you to school. You use to skip ahead of me." He smiled at
the memory.
"Yeah and that one time I fell and scraped
my knee. You were so worried I had seriously hurt myself you, were
crying. I just let out a little ouch sound." She said, softly.
He chuckled, "I was a worrywart when
it came to you. " Softly and smoothly he said, "I still am."
"Well you don't have to worry about
me as much... I've got super powers." She smirked.
Buffy and Angel walked into the school
laughing and grinning. Almost everyone in the hall noticed them.
Anyone who knew of Buffy and Riley knew Riley broke up with her and now they
saw who really belonged together. Their best friends Willow, Oz, Xander
and Cordelia, greeted the couple. Willow hugged Buffy. "You
ok, now?" She asked concerned.
"Yeah, I am now." She smiled at
Angel.
"Oh my god, you two are together now!
I'm so happy for you. Riley is a total loser for dumping... Now you have
someone better." Willow grinned.
"And hotter. Riley was such a big shot
dork." Cordelia chipped in.
Angel laughed, "Thanks Cordy."
"I think you're hot too." Buffy
said, giving him a half grin.
He put his arm around her again,
"Thank you too."
"Hey, what about me? I'm not
hot?" Xander almost squealed.
Cordy let out a small laugh, "You're
slightly hot.... You have more of a -- boyish charm."
Xander grinned, "I have a boyish
charm... Hear that, Angel I'm charming."
Angel laughed, "Yeah, I hear
that."
Oz had a small smile on his face and his
arm now around Willow, "Congrats man. You finally have your girl."
Angel smiled.
Then suddenly there were two police
officers rushing past them, heading down towards the library. "What's that
about?" Angel asked as his eyes followed the officers.
"Let's find out." Buffy mumbled
and began walking while the others followed.
Students were gathered around the library
doors. Two EMS workers dragged out a stretcher, which had a sheet
covering a body. Ignoring the workers telling Buffy to stay out of the
way she looked under the sheet, but quickly put it back over the head.
She walked back into Angel. He in turn put his arms around her
midsection. "The librarian. He's dead. Someone slit his throat. I
saw some blood by his stomach... he must have been stabbed too. God, this is
horrible. Who would do such at thing?" She looked at Angel.
Quietly he mumbled, "I don't know,
but I'm sure they'll find out who did."
//England, Watchers Council Headquarters//
A tall man in a brown suit with glasses
walked into an oval office. "Sir? You asked to see me?" He
asked.
"Mr. Giles, thank you for arriving so
quickly. Please, sit down." He pointed at the chair. Giles did as told.
"Something very important has
happened. The new slayer has been activated." He put a file on the
desk. Giles picked it up and opened it. "Her name is Buffy Anne
Summers. She is seventeen years old, lives with her parents in Sunnydale,
California. She is your assignment. You are to be her watcher as of
now. You will fly there tonight, here is your ticket." He handed it
to him.
"Where am I to meet her?" Giles
asked.
"At Sunnydale High School, you will
be the librarian. I have already made arrangements with Mr. Snyder, the school
principal. "
"What about their current
librarian?" He asked.
The boss replied, "He was murdered
earlier today."
"Mr. Travers, please excuse me, but
how could you have him killed?! That's horrible." Mr. Giles exclaimed.
"Oh, we didn't kill him and you are
not to go around saying so."
He sighed, "Yes, sir." He
thought, *Pellock*
