Author's Note: Ok, this is not the end of this story. There is one more part coming. I know it seems like an ending, but its not. But most of the main plot stuff is wrapped up in this part. I think you guys are in for a surprise. -evil grin- This part is very pivotal, a lot happens. So please review. I am also posting my fic at a site called Destiny's Chosen now, magickalbooks.com. Enjoy! Part 11 will be coming very soon.
Dedication: This one is to the cast and crew of Tru Calling, a show I have become very attached to and that I hope will get a season 2. -crosses fingers-
Part 10
Wednesday, April 29th
New York City
Buffy woke up to the sound of the portable alarm clock she had placed on the stand beside the bed. She reached over Angel and turned it off.
Today was the day. Her big interview. In exactly 3 hours, she would be standing in the office of Harold Dempsey.
Another important thing was also happening today. At 10:30, Angel was meeting the landlord of the apartment building to sign the lease. If everything went according to plan, tonight they would be celebrating.
"Good morning beautiful," Angel mumbled.
"Good morning handsome," she said. She reached for her robe and pulled it on. She stood up. "I'm going to go shower. I have to get back to the dorm to get ready for my interview."
"Okay," he said. He smiled at her from the bed. She smiled back, and went into the bathroom.
She closed the door behind her. She looked at herself in the mirror. A few months ago, she would look in the mirror and see Lynn Herring, Columbia University student, cheerleader, and Assistant Crime Editor of the Manhattan Tribune. But soon, she would be able to look in the mirror and see Mrs. Angel O'Leary, Crime Editor of the New York Times. She grinned. What an amazing difference a few short months can make. She still felt a slight nagging doubt pushing at the back of her mind, but she ignored it and stepped into the shower. Everything was going to work out perfectly.
"Ahhhhh!" Buffy screamed two hours later. Her interview was in one hour, and she still hadn't decided what to wear.
"I'm telling you, just wear the black skirt with the black and white shirt," Tracey said from the bed.
"But I don't know! It looks like...." she groaned. "I don't know." She turned around and looked at her friend, who was sprawled across the bed looking through the latest issue of Cosmo. "I suppose it's just nerves."
Tracey smiled. "You will have a lot more to be nervous about if you are late. So just wear the outfit I suggested, and you will be on your merry way."
Buffy smiled. "What would I do without you?"
"I really don't know. I suppose you'd be lost."
Both girls laughed. A few minutes later, Buffy presented herself to Tracey.
"So how do I look?" She was wearing a floaty, knee length black skirt, traditional heels, and a black and white short sleeved silky top. She realized that Tracey was right: the outfit was just business-like enough without being too flirty or too stuffy.
"Perfect. Now just brush your hair, and you are all set," Tracey said.
Buffy looked in the mirror. "I suppose I am."
Buffy had already talked to Tracey, Danielle, and Kristen about the new apartment. She saw that they were slightly disappointed, as they would not be sharing an apartment like they had planned. But they weren't surprised, and Danielle and Kristen were already planning on moving in with their boyfriends in an apartment that the four of them could share. However, they felt bad because that left Tracey. Tracey was the only one of the four of them who was single. She was also the least close to getting a job. Kristen was in negotiations with a local bio lab that did experiments and taught groups of high school and college students that came in to learn more about the subject. Danielle was meanwhile hoping on getting her application accepted at the local historical society. And of course, Lynn had the New York Times. But Tracey was still no closer to getting an acting gig. Her resume consisted only of a few drama club productions from high school and college. She had mentioned that she was going to move in with her Aunt Tess until she got work. But Buffy knew that her friend was very disappointed.
"Well looks like you're ready," Tracey said a few minutes later. She gave her friend a quick hug. "Good luck!"
Buffy smiled at her. "Thank you."
Twenty minutes later the cab pulled up outside the New York Times office. Buffy paid the driver and climbed out. She looked at the large, modern, 10 story building with the huge sign and windows. What an improvement over the small, out of date Tribune office. She tried to imagine herself going to work there every day. She liked the thought of that.
She walked through the big glass doors into a large, modern lobby. There was a big desk in the middle with a woman sitting at it. Around the room she also spotted mailboxes, probably for the reporters, and many awards hanging on the walls. There were several people milling around, doing various things. Nervously, she approached the desk.
"Hi, my name is Lynn Herring, and I'm here for an interview," she said, as confidently as she could.
The woman smiled. "Wonderful. Mr. Dempsey has been expecting you. His office is on the tenth floor, straight off the elevator. I'll tell him you're on your way."
"Thank you!" She started toward the elevator in the back of the lobby. She couldn't believe how big this building was! Her old office only had one floor! As she stepped into the elevator she realized that she had just thought of the Tribune as her old office. She felt a small pang of sadness. But she knew that things would be so much better for her here.
The elevator stopped at the tenth floor, and she walked out. There were a few doors on the sides of the long hallway, but she immediately saw the big room at the end of the hall and knew that was where she had to go. She took a deep breath and approached the door. The door was partially open, but she knocked anyway.
A moment later a smiling man opened the door all the way. She was immediately surprised. She had pictured Harold Dempsey as a middle aged man, maybe 40s or 50s. She expected someone that looked kind and fatherly. Someone kind of like...Giles.
But instead she saw a young man, probably in his early thirties. He had a modern haircut and was obviously no stranger to hair gel. He was actually pretty good looking. Just not what she expected.
"Hello, Lynn. It's an honor to meet you." He opened the door wider so she could step into his office. Once inside, he closed the door and shook her hand. Buffy brushed off her surprise at his appearance and spoke.
"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Dempsey." She smiled at him.
"Here, have a seat." He pulled up a chair to his desk and motioned for her to sit. She did, and then he resumed his chair on the other side of the desk. He opened a file folder and began to flip through the papers in it.
"I have admired your work at the Tribune very much Ms. Herring," he said. He looked at her and flashed his smile again. "We think you could be a valuable addition to our team."
Buffy smiled. "I'm very excited about this. It has been my dream to work at the New York Times."
He smiled again. "Well, dreams do come true."
"I wanted to ask, do you need any references? Because I could get some-"
"No, that won't be necessary." He stood up and walked around to Buffy's side of the desk. He sat on the edge of it. Buffy felt a little uncomfortable, as he was suddenly very close to her. She began to hear alarms going off in the back of her mind. There was something about this guy that she just didn't trust.
"Although I do need to discuss one thing with you." He paused. "It is very rare for us to take someone directly out of college and put them into such a coveted position."
She tried to smile. "I assume it is."
He smiled and leaned even closer to her. "So you must understand that you are going to have to work very hard to earn your position here." He paused. "If I find your work to be at all...lacking...I hope that you will be willing to compensate in other ways." He started to move his hand towards Buffy's leg.
It took a moment for it to sink in. But when it did, and she noticed his hand creeping towards her, she jumped up immediately. He pulled his hand back in surprise.
"Are you honestly suggesting..." she couldn't even form the words, and she just shook her head. "Do you do this to all your female clients? Expect them to sleep with you if you don't feel their work is good enough?" She felt her hopes slowly floating out the window.
He smiled that creepy smile again. "Only the very special ones." He stood up and started towards her. Buffy quickly backed away towards the door.
"You come one step closer and you will regret that you were ever born." She placed her hand on the doorknob.
Harold Dempsey seemed taken aback. "Wow, we have a feisty one. Please consider what you're doing. You don't want to give up the opportunity of a lifetime."
She shook her head. "This isn't an opportunity. This is a sham. You only sent me that letter and asked me to come in so that you could take advantage of a young, barely college graduate."
To that he only chuckled. "Do what you wish Ms. Herring." She opened the door and started to leave. She was beginning to feel tears forming in her eyes. Then he spoke again.
"Ms. Herring, just remember that if any of this gets out..." he shook his head. "I will see to it that you never work at another newspaper ever again."
She stared at him through her tears. "Go to hell, you son of a bitch." With that she slammed the door and ran down the hallway.
After she reached the main lobby, she ran out the door, still crying. She heard the receptionist call after her, but she kept running. Even after she was outside, she ran for 3 blocks before she stopped to sit on a park bench.
Her mind was still trying to process what had just happened. But at the same time, something felt different. She actually felt....at peace. And that was when she realized that the nagging doubt that had been at the back of her mind ever since she had made her decision was gone.
Because she finally knew what she had to do. Even though her eyes were filled with tears, she felt like she was seeing things clearly for the first time in years.
Professor Strang had been right. She had received a sign. Only the letter from the New York Times hadn't been her sign to stay. It had been her sign to do just the opposite. Only it took this experience today to make her see that.
She didn't belong here anymore. After graduation, nothing would be left for her here. The experience today at the New York Times was in a way her wake up call. A wake up call that she had needed desperately. She now saw perfectly that this New York life was not meant to be. She grinned as she realized what she was going to do.
She was going home. Home to Sunnydale, where she belonged.
She felt more tears run down her face. She had finally made her decision. The right decision. It had taken a lot to make her see things clearly, but at least she did.
She looked around. It was a typical New York day. People were bustling about, the streets were filled with cabs. It was the kind of life that had become normal to her. But now it was time for it to end. She had accomplished the goal she had when she came here: she had found out who she really was. And in the process she had gotten a first rate education, new friends, and the love of her life back in her arms.
The last thought jolted her up off the bench.
Angel. Right now Angel was signing a 2 year lease on their new home.
In New York.
She had to stop him. She couldn't let things be complicated when she had finally straightened them out.
She ran to the street and waved her hand for a taxi.
"So, Mr. O'Leary, if you just sign here, the apartment is yours for the next two years," the landlord said as she handed Angel a clipboard.
"Great," Angel said. He lifted the pen...
"Angel, don't sign!" Buffy said, appearing in the doorway. She was out of breath, and her face was streaked with tears.
Angel was alarmed at her appearance. He immediately put the pen down. "Buffy, what happened? Are you okay?" He walked over to her and gave her a hug. She pulled away.
"I'm fine. Great actually." She turned to the landlord. "Could you please give us a minute?"
She looked from Angel to Buffy. "Sure. I'll be in the bedroom." She walked off.
Buffy smiled and shook her head. "Angel, I finally understand! I finally get it."
Angel frowned at her. "I don't understand. How was your interview?"
Buffy just shook her head. "It was a sham. The editor just likes to try and take advantage of young women by offering them jobs. But that's not the important thing," she said, but Angel cut her off.
"Hold on! Are you saying...." he didn't even want to think about it. "Did that...did he hurt you? Because if he as much as touched you, I will-"
Buffy silenced him. "No, I left before he could. But the whole thing made me see." She smiled. "It made me see that this," she motioned around at the apartment, "all of this isn't meant to be anymore."
Angel just looked at her.
"I understand that my life as Lynn...it's over. I accomplished what I wanted to, but now I don't belong here anymore." She looked at him and took his hand. "I belong back in Sunnydale. We belong back in Sunnydale."
Angel blinked at her. "Wow. I guess you really had an epiphany, huh?" He grimly remembered an epiphany he himself had a few years ago.
She grinned. "Totally. I feel..." She shook her head. "I feel better than I ever have."
He hugged her tightly. "Well I'm just glad that you've finally made a decision you could feel good about."
She hugged him back. Then they kissed. "Let's get out of here/There is so much to be done," she said.
Angel smiled. "Ok. I'll just go tell the landlord that we aren't going to be taking the apartment." He walked towards the bedroom where the landlord waited.
Buffy grinned and leaned up against the wall. There was so much to do. She had to call her friends in Sunnydale and tell them the good news, she had to give her notice at the Tribune, they had to start looking for a house in Sunnydale, they had to plan their wedding...
But she also had to tell Tracey that she was leaving.
Buffy sighed. "I guess it really isn't over until the fat lady sings," she muttered to herself.
That night
Sunnydale, California
The Scooby Gang sat around Giles's living room. They had all been sad ever since Buffy had told Giles she wasn't coming home. Willow and Tara sat on the couch, holding hands. Xander was in the chair, with Anya in his lap. Giles was standing by the counter, drinking tea. Finally Xander broke the silence.
"You know I really thought she would come home," he said. "I thought we meant more than this to her."
Everyone looked at him. "I know Xand," Willow said softly. "But we can't judge her based on her own choices. Can we?" she said hopefully, looking at Tara. Although she was trying to be reasonable, she couldn't help but be furious at Buffy.
Tara stroked her hair. "Buffy had to do what she thought was right," the blonde witch said softly. "But you can't blame yourselves for being sad that she didn't..." her voice trailed off.
"That she didn't what?" her girlfriend said curiously.
Tara looked at Willow sadly. "Choose you." There was several more minutes of awkward silence. Then the phone rang, and everyone jumped.
"I'll get it," Xander said. Anya whined because she had to get up, but Xander ignored her. As he walked to get the phone, she turned angrily to Willow and Tara. "Why couldn't someone that didn't have their girlfriend in their lap get the phone?" she pouted.
"Hello?" Xander sighed into the phone. He stood up straight. "Oh, hi Buffy," he said. Everyone turned to look at him.
There was a minute of silence while Buffy spoke. The others witnessed as Xander's expression slowly turned into a smile. "Really?" he said. There was a brief pause. "Hold on a second." He put his hand over the phone. The others stared at him in expectation.
"It's Buffy. She says..." he smiled. "She says she's coming home."
Saturday, May 15, 2003
New York City
Columbia University Graduation Ceremony
"And now, we are proud to present the Columbia University graduating class of 2003!"
Buffy stood up and waved to the crowd. She spotted Angel in the first row, and grinned at him. He grinned back.
She couldn't believe it. The last month had gone by in a whirlwind. She had told Tracey and the others that she was leaving. They were sad, and they had all shared a good cry. But they respected her decision, especially after she gave them an open invitation to come visit any time.
On the other hand, her Sunnydale friends had been ecstatic. She had even made up with Giles. He told her that he was wrong to judge her, and that the others had made him see that. She had accepted his apology and asked him to give her away at her wedding. He had said he would be honored.
After she got home the day of the interview, she and Angel had decided that something had to be done about Harold Dempsey. Buffy decided she would write another editorial. But she wanted to wait to publish it until her last day on staff at the Tribune. She had finished it, and it would be in Monday's issue. Monday would also be her last day at work. They were flying back to Sunnydale on Tuesday morning. Their wedding date was set for Saturday, June 2nd. She had already gone shopping with Tracey, and they had found the perfect wedding gown. As soon as she'd tried it on, Buffy knew that it was the one. She had spent a good portion of her savings on it, but the look on Angel's face when she walked down the aisle in it would be worth it. They still had to find the bridesmaids dresses though. Cordelia said she had spotted a dress in an LA boutique that would be perfect, but Buffy needed to see it first. As much as Angel said she'd changed, she still wasn't ready to trust her with the choosing of her bridesmaids' gowns. As for that night, her and Angel were going out with her friends to celebrate their graduation and her final weekend as a New Yorker.
The ceremony ended, and everyone began to get up. Buffy quickly ran over to her friends. They screamed and jumped into a big group hug. "We did it!" yelled Danielle.
A minute later, Angel approached them. "Congratulations baby," he said, sweeping Buffy into his arms. They kissed.
"Well we'll let you two lovebirds go. But remember, tonight at 8! We are going to have a blast. Are you coming back to the room to get ready?" Tracey asked. Their dorms had to be cleared out by Monday. Tracey was going to live with her aunt, and Dani and Kristen had found a nice apartment to share with their boyfriends.
"Yeah, I'll be there later," Buffy replied. "Bye guys!"
Angel and Buffy walked toward the street arm in arm. "So how does it feel?" he asked.
She grinned. "It feels wonderful." They kissed again.
"We still have some time to kill before tonight," Angel said quietly.
She smiled seductively. "Hmmm...can you think of anything we can do?"
"I think I can manage." Laughing, he scooped her up into his arms. Then he ran to the street to get a cab so they could go "celebrate."
That night
The song ended, and Buffy, Tracey, Danielle, and Kristen ran back to the table where Angel waited, along with Dani and Kristen's boyfriends.
"Wow, any more dancing and I won't be able to make it home!" Buffy said. She leaned on Angel's shoulder.
"Well, you better dance the night away, because this is the last night we will ever have here in New York, together," Tracey said sadly.
Buffy smiled sadly. "I know. I'm going to miss you guys so much."
"But you're all coming out to California for the wedding in 2 weeks," Angel said cheerfully.
Buffy squealed. "I can't believe that in 2 and a half weeks I will be Mrs. Angel O'Leary!" Her and Angel shared a quick kiss.
Tracey laughed. "It is pretty incredible." There was a moment of silence. Well, as silent as it could be in the crowded nightclub that the girls had frequented throughout the past two years.
"How about a toast," Tracey said. She lifted her champagne glass. "To Buffy and Angel. May you always be happy."
"To Buffy and Angel," echoed the others. Buffy blinked back tears.
"Thanks guys," she said. She really was going to miss them, more than she could imagine. But she was so excited to go home.
Monday, May 17th
New York City
Buffy ran over to the stack of newspapers on the coffee table in the dorm lobby. She picked up today's issue of the Tribune, and frantically turned to the Editorial section. There it was, right at the top of the page. Her final work to ever be published in this newspaper. She smiled as she realized how much chaos could come from this little editorial. She skimmed her words over again, saying them from memory as she read.
Most of you probably remember the editorial I wrote about 2 months ago. I was lost and confused, and I was looking for your help. I promised to let everyone know how things turned out for me. So now I am.
In April I received a letter from the New York Times. They offered me the job of Crime Editor. I was ecstatic, because I thought my decision had been made for me. Without even giving it a second thought, I started planning my life here, in New York. We even found an apartment. There was still a nagging doubt in the back of my mind, but I brushed it away. I thought that everything was all set. However that all changed when I went to the interview.
The job offer from the New York Times was a sham. Harold Dempsey, editor in chief of the paper, is a sexual predator. He came on to me, and told me that in order to get the job, I must be ready and willing to compensate for less than satisfactory work in "other" ways. It took a moment to sink in. When it did, I fled from the office, only after him threatening me, telling me that if I exposed him I would never work at another newspaper again. Well Mr. Dempsey, if you are reading this, which I am sure you are, you can see that I am not afraid of you. In fact, I want to thank you for opening my eyes.
After the interview, I realized that I had been wrong. I belonged back in Sunnydale, with the people who had never stopped caring about me. I realized that sometimes it does take a shocking experience to make you see what's right in front of you. Mr. Dempsey, I hope that you have thought that I was going to keep quiet. But that's not me. I was just waiting for my grand finale.
So yes, this is my final article. I am going back to Sunnydale to live with my mother, friends, and fiancé, whom I now trust completely. A few weeks ago I thought to myself, it's not over until the fat lady sings. Well I hear her singing.
So goodbye. I have fully enjoyed every moment of working for this wonderful paper. I want to thank you for the enormous quantity of responses I received after my first editorial, even though it turns out I didn't need them. Hopefully I will continue to be a reporter after we get back from our honeymoon. Only time will tell. And if anyone out there is reading this who was also a victim of Harold Dempsey...you have kept quiet long enough. Now it is time for you to be strong.
Sincerely,
Lynn Herring
Former Assistant Crime Editor
Buffy smiled as she read it. She was very proud of this article. Putting the paper into her bag, she headed for the door. Time for her final day at work.
Buffy climbed out of the cab and approached the Tribune office. She paused a second and looked at the building. She couldn't believe that this was the last time she would ever come to work here. Memories flashed through her mind. She smiled. It had been a great two years.
She walked to the door and opened it, still caught up in her own thoughts. When she looked up, she gasped.
A huge banner, reading "Goodbye Lynn" hung across the cubicles. The entire Tribune staff stood around it, wearing party hats and sad smiles.
"Oh my God, you guys didn't have to do this!" Buffy felt tears come to her eyes and she started hugging her soon-to-be-former co-workers.
"Yes we did," said Donna, with tears in her eyes. Buffy thought it was the first time that Donna had ever acted compassionate towards her. She hugged the older woman.
"Your editorial was excellent Lynn," said a sports writer named...Gabe that Buffy didn't know too well.
"Thanks! I hope that its effective," she replied warily.
"Well, we don't have all day, there is work to do, so sit down," Mr. Brown said, pulling out a chair. Buffy sat.
"Well, first we have something for you. Then we can get to the cake!" Donna laughed.
"There's cake?" Buffy said. "Cake and presents?"
Everyone laughed. "A present, really," Mr. Brown said. He handed her a gift bag. "Here. This is from all of us."
Buffy pulled away the tissue paper and pulled out a thick scrapbook. Curiously she looked at the cover. "The Works of Lynn Herring," it read in fancy script. She opened it. She was surprised to see an original copy of her very first article. She gasped. "Oh my God," she said. She slowly flipped through the scrapbook. It contained every article she had ever written, in order. Also mixed in were photos, from Christmas parties and just from around the office. On the last page was her final editorial from this morning.
"Wow, this is amazing, you guys put so much work into this!" She felt tears coming to her eyes. "I love it. Now I know I will never forget my time here."
Everyone smiled. "We're glad you like it," Donna said. "Ok, now before we get cake, everyone stand over there by the banner! We need one last picture to fill the last page of that scrapbook."
Everyone posed in front of the banner, Lynn in the middle. "Ok, get ready!" Donna said as she set up the camera and jumped in the photo. A second later the flash went off. Buffy felt the tears start to fall. A wonderful chapter in her life was coming to a close. But she couldn't wait to see how the story would continue.
The next morning
New York City
Buffy and Angel stood in the airport waiting room, surrounded by Tracey, Danielle, and Kristen. "We are now boarding flight 204 to Los Angeles," said the voice over the loudspeaker.
Buffy felt the tears well in her throat. "Oh my God. This is really it." She turned to Danielle first. They hugged tightly. Then she did the same with Kristen. Finally, she faced Tracey. By this point, they were both crying openly. They threw their arms around each other. "Thank you so much for everything. I don't know what I would have done without you," she whispered.
"Thank you," Tracey cried back.
They finally broke their embrace. Kristen handed Buffy a small gift bag. "Open it on the plane," she said.
Buffy smiled through the tears. "I will." She cleared her throat. "I guess this is kind of silly considering I'll be seeing you all in two weeks," she said.
"Final call for flight 204 to Los Angeles."
The four girls joined together in one tearful group hug. Finally Angel touched Buffy's arm lightly. "Buffy, we have to go."
Buffy took Angel's hand and began walking towards the gate. "Bye guys," she whispered. They waved back.
The approached the gate. The tears were still flowing. The flight attendant opened the door. "You're our last passengers."
Hand in hand, they walked through the door. A second later the flight attendant closed the door. Buffy felt like a door was being closed on her old life, as Lynn Herring. She was tempted to look back, but she decided not too. She headed forward to begin her new life, as Mrs. Angel O'Leary.
