After Buffy had said goodbye to Captain O'Malley, she had gone back to her rooms. Instead of joining the rest of the ship for dinner, Buffy put on her blue plaid pj bottoms and a black tank top, and had settled down to watch an old movie on the TV. At about 8 o'clock and half way through the movie, Buffy heard a knock on her door. Turning off the TV, she went to the door and was surprised to find Myles standing outside.
"Hey." His voice was low, like he just woke up.
"Hey." Buffy moved aside as Myles entered. They both moved into the living room, but Buffy stood behind the couch.
"How are you doing?"
"Not bad, better then I was before."
"Still kinda weirded out about the power thing?" Myles looked at Buffy and smiled.
"A little. Talking to your dad helped." Myles's smile disappeared.
"What?"
"Didn't he tell you, we talked for almost 4 hours."
"He didn't tell you anything, did he?" Now it was Buffy's turn to smile.
"Well just a little, I mean maybe...about your little fascination." Buffy laughed as Myles's face dropped.
"For all I know, you could have pictures of me all over your room..." Buffy shrieked as Myles's launched himself at her.
"Oh, I am gonna get you for that one." Myles chased Buffy around the room, until she dashed out into the hall and he trapped her against the opposite wall.
For several seconds they just stared at each other, Myles moving his face closer and closer. By the time they kissed, both were breathing heavily. Wrapped up in each other, they both didn't see Angel turn the corner and see them kissing.
As Angel turned the corner into the Buffy's hallway, he saw something that made his heartbreak. Buffy and Myles were kissing outside Buffy's room, and from the looks of it, they were both enjoying it. Before he did anything rash, Angel turned on his heel and walked out on the deck.
As Buffy and Myles finally broke apart, Buffy whispered. "Wow!" He smiled at her.
"Yeah. Why don't we go and talk inside?"
"Wow!" Myles laughed as he steered Buffy inside.
"You know Myles, I think I may be a hypocrite." Buffy sat down on one of the lounges, Myles across from her.
"Why?"
"When I was talking to your dad earlier, I said that I wouldn't let anything in between us."
"Why?"
"Because he told me about him loving a slayer, then his heart breaking, and how he didn't want your heart to break..."
"Buffy, stop! Look, when I was talking to Angel earlier..."
"You were talking to Angel?"
"Yes. But we were talking about the fact that he is a champion, and you and I are warriors."
"What?"
"He kept saying you're a champion, but you aren't you're a warrior."
"Not scoring points here."
"No, let me explain. A champion is someone who is chosen for a specific purpose."
"As is a slayer."
"No, a champion is named. A warrior is someone who is already a fighter. No one, not evil or good can alter their destiny. They are very special, every single thing that happens in that person's life happens for a reason, it is preordained."
"Oh!"
"What I mean is that whether you want this relationship to happen or not, it will."
"Is that a threat?" Myles moved over beside Buffy.
"No. Look, just give me a chance, take a risk! Please?"
"Ok, but you know, I control my own destiny!" Laughing Myles leaned over and kissed Buffy.
"Right Miss Know-it-all."
* * * *
"Angel?" After hearing an unfamiliar voice call his name, Angel turned his head from where he was leaning against the railing at the back of the boat. It was nearly 11pm, and after seeing Myles and Buffy, together. Angel didn't really feel like talking to anyone, but out of pure reaction, he turned. A middle aged man, probably 47, 48, around Giles's age. He was dressed in captain's dress and had a authority vibe about him.
"Hello. Sorry, don't think I know you."
"No, sorry. I am Captain George O'Malley." He held out his hand to Angel, who shook it.
"Myles O'Malley's father?"
"The one and only. So what might a person like yourself be doing out so late? Besides the obvious, of course."
"Ah, I would be brooding. I can do it now without even thinking about it."
"Anything in particular bothering you? I seem to be quite the listener and advice giver these days."
"Uh, why not. I was going to talk to Buffy and happened to see something that I really don't like seeing."
"Buffy took a chance on Myles?"
"Yes."
"And this bugs you?"
"Yes..."
"Why?"
"Well, our history..."
"Which is in the past."
"Yes, but..."
"No buts, you and Buffy is past. You can't keep her from being with other men because of your own pain."
"I know. You are really good, you know that?"
"Yeah. Look, Angel. Considering what you were going to tell Buffy..."
"What? How do you know about that?"
"Giles is my brother in law, my wife a watcher and I have many contacts around the world myself. I know Spike is on one of the islands we are passing and that you are planning on picking him up and taking him back to LA with you."
"You are good."
"Buffy came here to relax, to get away from Sunnydale and the things that go along with it. Including Spike. If you are going to tell her about Spike, at least let her have something to take up her attention and keep her happy." George looked meaningfully at Angel who sighed.
