Part 10
One by one, Lorne dabbed the homemade potion that cleared the spell on their tounges.
When he got to Buffy, she closed her eyes tightly and made a face from the horrible taste, She slowly opened her eyes, all her memories coming back. She gasped as a particular group of memories came when she made eye contact with Angel.
She bit her lip when she noticed that everyone was staring at her. Her eyes started to water, and she focused on her feet.
"E-Excuse me. I need to use the bathroom." Angel gave her directions to his room and Buffy spun around and walked slowly up the stairs.
He looked after her, worried that something was wrong, but didn't run after her. He did run though when Cordelia was given the potion and then suddenly ran up the stairs toward her own room.
"Cordy," Angel called when he reached her in the hallway.
"I can't. Angel, I-I'm sorry."
"You remember," he stated.
"Yes. I remember...all of it. We were in love, but I have to be alone. Please? For awhile. It's too...I-" Cordelia cut herself off and walked away, shutting the door to her room behind her.
Angel sighed sadly and turned to go downstairs. He then looked up and say his former love standing a few yards away. He noticed the tears streaming down her face, her fists clenched at her side.
Buffy had exited the room a few doors down and heard the voices of Cordelia and Angel. Much to her dismay, she just entered to hear Cordelia say that she and Angel were in love. At that moment, her heart broke in two.
"Buffy..." he started and moved to her. She stopped him with a shaky hand.
"I-I think it's time that we left. We're not needed anymore," then she silently added,'Especially me,' she looked anywhere but into his brown orbs.
"Buffy-"
"No, it's okay. You deserve someone that you truly l-love," There was a pause of silence and then Buffy continued, "You should give her time; some space. She'll come back to you. Like you did for me at one time," she sniffled at the last part, holding back a sob, she had to be strong.
She finally looked into his eyes, and closed the distance between them with a hug. Angel slowly responded by placing one of his hands gently on her back.
"I remember what I forgot. I'm sorry that I did. I'll never forget," she whispered in his ear. Angel's mouth opened in shock when he caught onto what she was saying. She slowly pulled back and brushed her lips against his cheek.
She made eye contact with him again, his eyes were now brimmed with tears. She gave him a little nod and pursed her trembling lips. She pushed away from him, walking as swiftly as she can downstairs when she felt like she was going to collapse, but she refused to give in to the sadness yet.
Buffy ran into the lobby and everybody faced her.
"It was nice meeting all of you, but Xand, Will, we have to go."
They both nodded, noticing the remorse on her face.
Saying bye with smiles and waves, the three from Sunnydale headed towards the door.
They were almost out the door when they heard Angel yell Buffy's name and run down the stairs. The people in the lobby watched the brown-haired vamp race down the steps.
Buffy paused in her pursuit to exit the building to look at Angel.
"Bye Angel," she whispered, then continued out the door. Willow and Xander stealing a glance toward the frantic Angel running down the steps, and then followed their best friend out the door.
"Buffy!," Angel yelled. His legs weren't working fast enough for him, his vamp speed seem to be not working. As soon as he reached the door, he stopped there. The sun had already risen, preventing him from getting to Buffy.
He watched helplessly as Xander sped off into the distance with Buffy and Willow.
Angel stood there in the shadows of the doorway for a few minutes, his head hanging low. He slowly turned around and met the eyes of his LA crew and his son. Wesley, Fred, Lorne, and even Gunn stared back at him with eyes that told him that they were sorry and they would be there for him. On the other hand, Connor gave him a smoldering look, his arms crossed.
Connor shook his head and scoffed, "Way to go Dad," he said bitterly, "I'm leaving."
With that, Connor left the Hyperion Hotel to go to his attic apartment that he was stowing away in above the museum.
Meanwhile, in Xander's car, when they were off Angel's property, Buffy finally broke down into Willow's lap in the backseat.
"Oh Buffy," Willow comforted. Xander gripped his steering wheel and breathed in deeply to keep from letting out his anger towards Angel.
Willow suddenly felt deja vu. It was just like prom, but even though she didn't know what happened between the two this time, it seemed to have stung more.
*~*~
LORNE AT THE NIGHTCLUB: "And that's it folks. That's the way love goes. All's well that ends well right? Well it's been a long night. For everyone. I hope you liked my tale, but I've got no more to tell. Applause, applause," he put on his jacket, "So you kids be good and go home. Hug your families while you can," he swiftly added, "And stay away from magic. Trust me." He stepped off the stage into an empty audience, going off into the night.
*~*~
