Dedication: To all the fans who have come together in the effort to save Angel. It is amazing how people can come together in a time of crisis. Also to Tara for helping me with a part in this chapter I was iffy about.
Author's Note: Here it is, Part 9! Okay, first the big news, this fanfic had won two awards! To view them go here and go to the awards page. Thanks so much to Sara at the Spike Threw the Heart Awards. It is such an honor.
Okay, please don't kill me over this part. Just remember that there are still 2 parts and many more twists to come! I am very happy with how this part turned out. Enjoy! And please review.
Part 9
The next morning Buffy walked into the Manhatten Tribune office with a smile on her face. "Good morning everyone," she called. On the way to her cubicle she was intercepted by Henry Brown. "Hi, Mr. Brown. Beautiful day, isn't it?"
He looked at her and chuckled. "You might want to come with me Lynn. I think you'll want to see this."
Puzzled, she followed him to his office. She gasped when she saw the overflowing bag of mail on the ground.
"What is that?" Suddenly it hit her. "No, that's not for...it can't possibly be..."
"Well it is. The most responses we've ever gotten all from your editorial." He laughed as she bent down and peered into the bag. "Hopefully someone will have a solution to your dilemma."
She shook her head. "Wow. I never expected..."
With her mind occupied on the new engagement ring on her finger, she had totally forgotten about the editorial. She even somewhat regretted it, now that she had the security that Angel would be with her forever. But the issue did still stand...she still had to decide.
She looked up. "So all this is mine? I can take it?"
"Sure. But let me help you with that." He hoisted up the bag, and followed Buffy to her cubicle. On the way several familiar faces popped out.
"Lynn, oh my God, I couldn't believe it when I read your editorial. Is it really true?" asked Bob, young crime writer who had been crushing on Buffy for two years.
"Yes, Bob, every word."
He shook his head. "Wow. I never would have suspected..." she walked on, leaving him standing there wearing a very confused expression on his face.
"Lynn, what an amazing editorial you wrote. Do you want me to call you Buffy now?" asked Nathan, the business editor.
She smiled. "You can still call me Lynn if you'd like. After all, around here, I am Lynn."
Donna ran up to her. "How come you never told me, after all these years we've worked together?"
Buffy raised her eyebrows. "Actually, it's only been two years. And I never told anyone. Until now," she said.
"Is that all the responses you got?" Donna asked, gaping at the mail bag.
"Yes it is." They reached her cubicle and Mr. Brown set the bag down. "Thanks!" she said as he headed back to his office. She turned on her computer and set her bag down on the chair. "Any assignments for today?"
Donna shook her head. "How you can act like everything's normal I don't know. But the only assignment I have for you is editing these police blotter reports that the interns did." She set a manila folder down on the desk. "Something will come in though." And then, in typical Donna fashion, she walked away.
Buffy laughed quietly. She sat down and began looking through the folder. She started editing, writing the revised versions down for the interns to type. But she couldn't concentrate. Her gaze kept wandering to the mail bag.
"Okay, I'll read three letters, then I'll get back to work," she said to herself. She reached in and pulled out a letter. She ripped open the envelope.
Dear Ms. Herring,
I think you should stay in New York. The Manhatten Tribune needs you and you have created a life for yourself here. You shouldn't be forced to give that up. Good luck.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Marjorie Watson
Sounds like an old lady. Reasonable enough though. She opened another letter.
Lynn-
I think you should go back to California. You have put your friends and family through a lot and you owe this to them. Let the readers know what you decide!
-Becca Hall
Another reasonable argument. But not helping. She pulled out one more letter.
Hey baby! Just wanted to say that if all these problems are becoming too much for you, feel free to give me a call, and I will see if I can be of some comfort. If you know what I mean. 765-9807
She stared at the letter in horror before crumpling it and throwing it into the trash can. She groaned slightly. So far this wasn't helping at all. She glanced down at her ring, and instantly felt better.
She hadn't told anyone yet. She was dying to tell Tracey, but her and Angel had gotten carried away in the shower AGAIN this morning, and she hadn't had time to see her before her English class. She glanced at her watch. 1:15. Tracey should be just getting out of psych class, maybe they could meet for a quick lunch, and Buffy could tell her the big news. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Tracey's number. She answered on the third ring.
"Hey girl," said the familiar voice of her friend. "Whatsup?"
"Not much. Can you meet me for lunch now? I have something to tell you."
Tracey paused. "I don't like the sound of that. But okay. Where?"
"Don't worry, it's all good. How about the café right by my office in 20 minutes?"
"Sounds good. Later."
They hung up. Buffy squealed at the thought of telling Tracey the news. She looked at her ring again. She was already imagining her wedding. She wanted it to be spectacular. Tracey and Willow could be the maids of honor, with all her other friends as bridesmaids, with herself wearing the most gorgeous wedding gown ever made...
But would they walk outside into the NYC traffic, or into the California sun?
20 minutes later Buffy walked up to the café. Tracey was standing outside waiting for her. "Hey!" she said. "So please, don't keep me in suspense any longer. What do you have to tell me?"
Buffy smiled. She casually moved her right hand up and brushed her hair back. "Notice anything different?"
Tracey scanned her up and down, looking slightly puzzled. Then she saw the light reflecting off the ring, and she screamed. "Oh my God, Lynn! You're engaged!" She threw her arms around her friend, ignoring the stares from the bystanders. Buffy hugged her friend back. After a moment they pulled apart.
"When? When did this happen?" Tracey asked excitedly.
"Last night. Let's go inside, and I'll tell you everything," she said. Together the two girls walked into the café, where they were quickly seated. They began to flip through the menus.
"First, I want to thank you for going and talking to Angel yesterday. It really means a lot to me. Even though you totally didn't have to," she added quickly.
Tracey smiled. "Yes, I had to. I can't just let my best friend screw up her life. And hey, looks like I was successful!"
Buffy laughed. "Oh yeah. You made him realize how I was feeling, and he proposed." She sighed happily. "Now I feel so secure. I just wish that I talked to him about my uncertainties a long time ago." She paused. "Now we have more important issues at hand. Like my wedding. And what your maid of honor gown is going to look like." She smiled slyly.
"My what? Oh my God. Me? Your maid of honor?" Tears formed in the struggling actress's eyes. "Oh Lynn, thank you so much! I would be honored." She paused. "But what about Willow?"
"I am just going to ask her to be a maid of honor too. That way no one will be hurt."
"We have to start looking at dresses! Oh my God, this wedding is going to be perfect!" Tracey squealed.
Buffy sighed. "If I knew where I was having it."
Tracey's expression softened. "You'll figure it all out soon."
"I hope so. I still have a mail bag full of responses to my editorial to read. Maybe someone has more of a clue than I do." She sighed. "Guess I'll just have to see where fate takes me."
One month later
Saturday April 26, 2003
Buffy groaned as her alarm went off next to her bed. She reached over and shut it off.
She instantly missed Angel. She had seen him last night, but she had a term paper to finish writing, so she had to come back to the dorm. She hated waking up without him.
But soon we'll have a place of our own. Somewhere.
Graduation was a month away. In one month she had to have a decision made. And she was still nowhere near one.
She got up out of bed. Tracey was still sleeping. Beauty rest for an audition that afternoon. Although she would never admit it, Tracey was nervous too. In one month she would graduate, and she still had no acting gigs lined up. A knock at the door startled Buffy from her thoughts and Tracey from her sleep.
The brunette groaned. "Lynn, make them go away."
Buffy opened the door to see Ryan, a boy from the next hall, standing there with a letter in his hand. "Hi Lynn. Sorry to bother you, but the lady at the front desk asked me to bring this up to your room. Said it was supposed to be delivered directly to you."
Buffy took the letter. "Thanks Ryan." She shut the door and looked down at the return address.
The New York Times
She frowned slightly. Why would the New York Times be special delivering a letter to her? Deep down she knew, but she wouldn't let herself think it. She began to rip it open.
"Who's it from?" Tracey asked groggily. "Whoever it is, they interrupted my beauty sleep."
She didn't answer. She unfolded the single piece of paper enclosed in the envelope.
Dear Ms. Herring:
We here at the New York Times have admired your work at the Manhatten Tribune for the past two years, especially enjoying your heartfelt editorial from one month ago. The skill and feeling in your writing is most impressive for someone of your age.
We understand that you will be graduating from Columbia University in one month. After that time comes, if you remain in New York, we would love to have you on staff here with us as our new Crime Editor.
We ask that you come by for an interview at your convenience, although the only decision to be made is yours. Please contact our offices at your convenience. We trust that you would not regret accepting our offer.
Sincerely,
Mr. Harold Dempsey
Editor-in-Chief
The New York Times
Buffy finished reading the letter. She sank to the floor.
"What is it?" Tracey asked impatiently. When she didn't receive an answer, she finally got out of bed and snatched the letter from Buffy's hands. She read the letter, and her mouth opened wide.
"Oh my God, Lynn!" she squealed. "This is incredible!"
Buffy spoke for the first time since reading the letter. A small smile began to grow on her face. "This is it Tracey. This is my sign."
Tracey frowned. Then she gasped. "Oh my God...you mean...you've made your decision?"
Buffy smiled and slowly stood up. "If this is for real...then yes. Fate has really shown me the way. Just like Professor Strang said it would."
Tracey reached out and hugged her friend. "I'm so happy for you Lynn. I know this is your dream, to work for the New York Times."
"I know." Buffy stepped back and smiled. "Wow. I already feel like this huge weight has been lifted. Even though I should probably wait until the interview to get all excited."
"But you read this! They said the only decision left to make is yours. They want you Lynn!"
She grinned. "I know!" She paused. "Should I call now?"
Tracey grinned back. "The sooner the better!"
Buffy took the letter and went to the phone. She dialed the number and waited with baited breath while it rang. She half expected it to be a prank, some kind of joke. So she was very relieved when an official-sounding woman answered.
"The New York Times. How may I help you?"
"Hi, this is Lynn Herring. I'm calling to set up my interview?" She looked at Tracey and grinned again.
"Ah! Mr. Dempsey said you would be calling. When would you like to come in?"
"How about..." she quickly thought of her schedule. "How about this Wednesday at 10 am?" She wanted to go sooner, but her schedule was packed, with work, and classes, and cheerleading.
"Sounds great. Mr. Dempsey will be looking forward to it."
"Thank you!" They hung up. Buffy collapsed on the bed. "Wow. There's so much to do now! I have to tell Angel. I have to think of how to break this to Donna." She grimaced at the thought. "I kind of feel bad. I mean I love the Tribune, and I've learned a lot there. But...for my career I have to do this."
"You are absolutely right. Speaking of careers...I have an audition today."
"I know. Good luck." Buffy locked eyes with her friend, trying to give her some reassurance. Tracey just smiled.
Buffy sighed. "There is so much to do now! I have to tell Angel, I have to...call Sunnydale." Her face fell slightly.
Tracey sat beside her and put her arm around her. "It will be okay. They'll have to understand."
Buffy looked at her. "I hope so." She sighed. "I sure as hell hope so."
Buffy knocked on the door of Angel's hotel room. She was supposed to be at work, but she had called in and said she had an emergency, and she would be late.
He opened the door and grinned when he saw her. "Hey Buffy," he said, pulling her in for a kiss.
She smiled up at him. "Hey yourself. Look, I don't have all day, but I have something very important to tell you." She entered the room and pulled out her letter. Wordlessly, she handed it to Angel. He read it silently.
"Wow. Congratulations baby!" he said. He walked over and kissed her again.
She smiled. "Thank you!" She paused. "Angel I am going to take the job. I'm staying in New York."
Angel didn't even look surprised. "Then I will be here with you."
Buffy shook her head slightly. "You are so amazing."
He smiled back. "No, you are." They kissed again, more passionately this time, until Buffy reluctantly broke away.
"I really wish I could, but I am already late, and I have to call Sunnydale." She paused. "But I feel so bad. They are going to be so disappointed."
Angel put his arm around her. "It's okay. They'll understand. And we will have them all come out for the wedding."
She grinned. "The wedding. How great does that sound?"
He kissed her head. "Wonderful."
Over the past month, some small wedding preparations had begun. Tracey and Willow were going to be the maids of honor, and Kristen, Danielle, Cordelia, and Stacey from North Dakota were going to be the bridesmaids. She had wanted to ask Tara, Anya, and maybe even Fred for Angel, but when she thought about it, she didn't even know them, and it would just make the wedding way too big. Everyone was very excited, especially Stacey. She had a long phone conversation with her during which she explained everything. She was a little dumbstruck at first, but she was very excited to be flying to either New York or California to be a bridesmaid. She had been Buffy's friend when she had been so lost, and for that she would always be grateful.
But now that they knew where it was being held, bigger preparations could begin. They were aiming to get married this summer. Buffy couldn't wait.
"Well, I'll see you tonight. I'll come by right after work," she said, heading for the door.
"I'll be looking forward to it." After one final kiss, she left.
Buffy sat at her cubicle, staring at her cell phone. The sooner the better, she thought. Reluctantly, she picked up the phone and dialed Giles's number.
He answered on the third ring. "Hey Giles, it's Buffy," she said.
"Hello! It's nice to hear from you, as always." Giles sounded really happy to hear her voice. Buffy felt a little pang inside.
"Actually, I have something important that I need to tell you." She paused for a moment. "I've decided to stay in New York."
There was silence on the other end.
"I've been offered a job at the New York Times as Crime Editor." She crossed her fingers and waited for a reply.
"Well, that's an excellent opportunity Buffy," he said. But she could hear the but coming.
"But I cannot say that I am not surprised with your decision."
She was a little taken aback. "Excuse me?"
"I really thought you were going to make the right choice Buffy. But I guess that I assumed wrong."
She stared at the phone almost in shock. She had never heard Giles like this before. "Giles, no offense, but how do you know what the right and wrong choice is?"
"Honestly Buffy! You left us for four years! You started a life that is not remotely like the one that used to be lead by the girl that we once knew. This...this existence you have created for yourself...it is not you Buffy. You may have created a new name for yourself, but you cannot possibly have changed who you are," Giles said, sounding very agitated.
Buffy felt tears begin to form in her eyes. "Okay, first off, Lynn Herring is not just a name. It is who I have become. Yes, I started with just a name, but I built a life around it. A good life. Lynn Herring is me, Giles. She is a part of me. Just as much as Buffy Summers is. And I think it's very selfish of you to judge my decisions just because I didn't choose you!" She was almost yelling, and the tears were flowing freely now, and she noticed a couple of people standing up to see what was going on. She ignored them.
There was a long pause. "Buffy, I am only giving my opinion because I care about you very dearly. I know that you will come to regret continuing to live this...this..." his voice trailed off. "And I have missed you so much! We all have. And I think it's very selfish of you to choose to stay there after giving us false hope that you would come home for two months!"
Buffy shook her head. "I have never given you false hope! I have been torn up inside about this decision ever since Angel found me. This isn't any easier for me than it is for you." She paused and wiped the tears away. "You know, I was also going to ask you to walk me down the aisle at my wedding, but now I'm thinking that won't be necessary." She paused. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go continue to live my fake life." She hit the end button on the phone and threw it down. She noticed that everyone had stopped working and was staring at her. "What are you looking at?" she said angrily. Everyone just stared. Finally she grabbed her messenger bag and her coat and ran out of the office.
Once out on the street, she wiped away her tears, but they kept coming. She was shocked at what had just happened. She hadn't expected it to be that bad. Biting her lip, she stepped out to hail a taxi.
Ten minutes later she ran into Angel's hotel room, still crying. Angel was alarmed. "Buffy, what happened?" He took her in his arms.
She spoke through her tears. "I called Giles to tell him I am staying here," she sobbed. "And...he totally let me have it."
Angel was shocked. "Giles?" He felt the anger rise inside of him. "Well don't worry, because I am going to have a talk with him-"
Buffy shook her head at him. "No Angel, you don't have to..."
"Yes I do." He smiled. "No one upsets my fiancé and gets away with it."
She smiled for the first time all afternoon. "Fiance. That sounds so good."
He kissed her forehead. "I know it does." He paused. "Later I want you to tell me exactly what he said to you, but right now I know the perfect way to cheer you up." He started for the door, taking her by the hand. "I have something to show you."
Puzzled but intrigued, she followed him out the door.
Fifteen minutes later the cab pulled up outside a brownstone building in the middle of a nice residential neighborhood. Angel paid the cab driver, and started to approach the building. Buffy hesitantly followed.
"Angel, what is this place?"
He held the door open. "You'll see."
She walked in the door and saw a really nice, modern entryway to an apartment building. There were mailboxes on both sides of the small hallway, and stairs headed up straight ahead. There was nice lighting, and a beautiful red carpet. Wordlessly, Angel lead her up the stairs. She was still confused, but took in her surroundings.
They approached a door on the second floor. Angel pulled a key out of his pocket and opened the door. They walked inside.
They were standing inside a beautiful apartment. Straight off the small hallway was a large, empty space that would be the living room. There was a huge window on the far side that overlooked the street. To the left of where they had come in was a kitchen area, with all the appliances and a counter. To the left, there were two doors. Buffy opened them curiously. One was a closet, and the other was a small empty room with a window that looked out at the next brownstone. Angel just stood there smiling. "Keep exploring, I'll explain," he said. She continued to the left, going past the kitchen area and down a narrow hallway. She opened the door at the end of it to reveal a large room, most likely the bedroom. It had it's own bathroom attached, complete with all the fixtures. The whole place had wood floors and fresh paint. It was beautiful.
She walked back into the main area where Angel was. She was beginning to get an idea of what was going on.
"Do you like it?" he said. His face broke into a smile. "Because if you do, it's ours."
She gasped. "Really?" She sank back to reality. "But how could you afford this? I mean, New York is expensive enough, and this is really nice."
"After you live for 200 plus years you accumulate some savings."
She shook her head slowly. "This place is incredible." She grinned. "I love it! I can totally picture us living here!" She walked over and looked out the window.
"If Connor came, he could stay in the spare room," Angel said. "I think it would be really perfect. The landlord said I could show you, and if you liked it, we could arrange a time to sign the lease."
She spun around. "Are you sure?"
He grinned. "After seeing that look on your face, I am very sure."
She shrieked. "Oh my God, Angel!" She ran to him, and he picked her up and swung her around. They were going to have their own home! They could really create a great life for themselves here. She smiled, the thoughts of her conversation with her former Watcher almost gone from her mind. She still heard his words whispered in the back of her mind, but she brushed off the doubts he had given her about her decision. Everything is going to be perfect.
