Title: The Distance Between Us
Author: NABELLETHEY (The Beffster)
Disclaimer: Unfortunately I do NOT own any of the characters in this story. You hear that? I don't own anything, except this idea which is the property of me and me only! But other than that I own nada...not even the computer I'm writing this on... :S
Summary: crossover with Buffy the vampire slayer and The Lord of The Rings at the end of season 3 in BTVS and just before the attack at Weathertop in LOTR.
WARNING: Angel is in this story and it will be B/A romance and angst. Any Legolas dissing is an accident it's just my personal feelings about him being a pansy coming to the fore.....if you find any unfair descriptions, actions etc. tell me and I'll correct 'em! I don't mean to offend anyone but spit happens! R and R please but no flames and stuff I'm a sensitive writer. (except to Legolas teehee!)
Sorry all for the delay in the postage had a sever case of the flu and writers block also a severe case of the evil teachers who suddenly decided that coursework needed to be done and with ten gcse subjects....its all work and no writing fan fictions for The Beffster. Anyway ive finally finished chapter 6 and here it is read and review to the best of your ability and I'll write more to the best of mine. Thanks again to my beta reader ELLE and to AMY (MauledBarbie on fiction press.net) and to JENNIE W as well coz they have cheered me up tremendously in my time of writers block and need!!!!! and to sarah mcachlan whose wonderful songs brought me inspiration to many moments and many fics.
This chapter is shorter than I intended it to be but read it anyway and I hope you enjoy it
Love to all who love me! xxx
Chapter 6
Warmth pressed in against her. It wasn't heavy, just a constant, pleasant weight that reminded her of...of a blanket. The blanket on her bed at home. She was home. How had that happened? Buffy didn't care. She'd escaped the darkness, the pain and fire of her dreams. It was just a dream. She'd open her eyes and find herself in her room, alone – or...or maybe that was a hand holding hers. Maybe it was still three weeks ago. Maybe Angel –
The hand squeezed, just gently, but she felt it. Her heart jumped slightly in her chest and, hoping – hell, praying – she squeezed back. Angel?
Of course. She knew his hands too well. When had it gotten this bad? What did it matter – they were holding hands...holding. HOLDING! As in, physical contact? With Angel?
Everything flooded back to Buffy in a rush, making her ears ring and her hand tingle where their flesh touched. She saw him in the darkness of her closed eyes – saw him turning, saw him leaving. He had left her. He had left her. He had made the choice to go. He had let her go. He couldn't touch her – they couldn't touch like this, never again!
With as much speed as she could muster, Buffy jerked her hand back, forcing herself to give up that warmth, that comfort. A soft, unguarded sound escaped her. It hurt still. Everything hurt.
"Buffy?" Angel sat up sharply in his chair, leaning towards her, wanting to see her eyes again. Her head was turned from him, her hand drawn away and curled against her chest. Angel tried to keep his expression neutral. He knew their relationship was fractured, but perhaps some part of him had hoped that Buffy would still...Angel felt a scowl tug at his lips. How could he be so selfish? He forced himself to finish the thought: some part of him had hoped that Buffy would still need him – just when she woke up. She'd hold his hand as she opened her eyes and smile at him because...because she would have forgotten, just for an instant, what had happened between them...
Angel now had no control over the scowl on his lips. Just what had he expected from her? – 'I forgive you'? 'I understand why you did it'?
The line between hopeful and delusional seemed to be thin in his case.
"Buffy?" He tried again, keeping his voice soft and easy. Her head turned further into the pillow and her closed eyes tightened.
"Buffy, come on open your eyes, I know you're awake"
"Am not" Buffy replied, her eyes still refusing to open. Angel studied her silently, relieved that she had responded, thankful that she still sounded herself after...whatever she went through.
In his brief conversation with Lord Elrond, Angel hadn't come any closer to discovering what had caused Buffy to...'freak' like that. It was sad, really, that he was thinking in 'Buffyspeak' as she called it. Three years was a long time to be around someone. Surely it was only human to pick up their way of speaking... Angel smiled sardonically to himself. 'Only human'. He was delusional.
"Of course not, otherwise you wouldn't be talking" he said, trying to keep the mood light.
Buffy finally opened her eyes and raised her eyebrow at him. Angel had cracked a joke. That had happened a whole two times. Then shook her head and smiled at him. God, he looked good in the fading light. She frowned and lifted herself up onto her elbows. Where the hell was she? This certainly wasn't her bedroom.
"Easy." Angel rose from his seat and touched her arm, wary in case she overdid it. Buffy grunted, trying to nudge a pillow out of her way whist shaking off Angel's touch at the same time.
"No – look, Angel, I can do things by myself" she snapped. Then, realising how callous that had sounded, sighed.
"Sorry. I'm just..."
"It's fine...it's me, I..." Angel sunk back down into his seat and trailed off awkwardly. What was he trying to apologise for again?
"It's okay."
Angel relaxed. Just a couple of words from Buffy could do that to him.
"Are...are you feeling okay –"
Angel was interrupted as the door at the other end of the room eased open. Both he and Buffy tensed reflexively, but seeing who their visitors were, Angel at least relaxed. Buffy shot him a questioning look as three men entered. Angel returned her gaze encouragingly, deciding not to chance touching her again.
"You have awoken, my lady" The man who had spoken was tall and proud, his forehead defined and noble and his overall unearthly air pronouncing him as something other than human. Buffy had been in the business long enough to tell. She tightened her fingers in the bed sheets and tried to look unaffected.
"Seems so"
"You feel well?" said one of the other men Buffy could now identify as Strider and she gave him a rare, relieved smile.
"Yeah, I'm good"
Angel frowned at the exchange but said nothing. How could he? He kept his eyes on Buffy, trying to regain her attention, but she was staring at Strider. Reluctantly, Angel followed her gaze. So the ranger had washed himself – big deal. Angel washed too...
"Ah, sorry, I'm not really sure who you – er, where I am."
"Of course, young one." The noble guy inclined his head slightly. Buffy was reminded strongly of a hunting bird showing off its feathers.
"You are in my kingdom, Rivendell."
"Oh."
"I am Lord Elrond of the elves."
"Ah," Buffy swallowed and tried to think of something intelligent to say. At that moment she caught sight of Elrond's smooth, pointed ear tips and felt all coherent thought flee her mind.
"And naturally, Buffy, you will not yet have met Gandalf the Grey." Strider said rapidly, stepping forward a little and rescuing her.
Buffy's eyes shifted gratefully to a 'Merlin' type man dressed in grey with a world-worn face and long, grey clothes. Grey. That was appropriate...
"Buffy just woke up." Angel said. Buffy gave him a strange look and Angel wasn't quite sure why he'd spoken.
"I suspected you would be rejoining us today." Elrond said, somehow managing not to sound pompous and stepping gracefully over to the bedside. Buffy fought the urge to shift away as he raised his hand to her, but he only wanted to feel her forehead and the palm was pleasantly cool and dry.
"You will have your strength back in little time now." The Lord informed her, leaning back and glancing her over in a professional manner. Buffy ducked her head, still not knowing fully how to behave. Her stomach gave a sudden loud growl, making its demands known to everyone in the near vicinity. Buffy felt the blood shoot to her cheeks like a couple of very red lights switches being flipped on.
"Oh...sorry! Guess I'm kinda...well..." Buffy stammered.
"You haven't eaten in five days." Angel said gravely, with a harsh glance at Strider.
"I shall fetch a meal for you, milady." Strider said hurriedly, bowing slightly and moving swiftly from the room.
"Thanks!" Buffy called after him awkwardly. Angel's expression was stormy.
"Well, now that introductions have been made, I fear I must depart and allow you your rest." Gandalf stated grandly. Buffy smiled and nodded, embarrassed, but taking an immediate liking to the elderly man. There was something very mysterious and exciting about him, much like everything else in this...Middle Earth.
"I too will leave you to rest, I have another guest who needs my attention" Lord Elrond stated, tipping his head in a bow and heading towards the door.
"I will return after your meal to discuss your past condition" He left a still confused Buffy, hungry in bed, and Angel by her side still pondering the effect that a clean Strider had had on his girl...his girl? Boy did he have it bad.
Buffy waited a few beats before swinging her legs to the side of the bed. Angel had noticed her movement and was already pushing her back into bed before she realised what she was wearing. A long, floaty white...thing
"Angel!" Buffy exclaimed angrily trying to push herself back up, angel held her shoulders down.
"You need to rest" he insisted
"From what I've gathered I've been asleep for five days" Buffy argued
"That's not the point; you need to build your strength up"
"My strength is perfectly up!" she responded indignantly
"Oh really, that's why you aren't able to get back up"
Buffy couldn't answer that. She was fighting to sit up again but she really was more exhausted than she recognised. Angel was close to her, if he'd have breathed, which of course he didn't, she would have felt his breath on her face. Buffy couldn't stand being this close to him, her body was screwed up, not knowing how to react with him around her and her mind was...her mind was...even more screwed up. She needed to stop this, now. Buffy forced her emotions down from the surface and was silent.
When Buffy said nothing, Angel looked down at her beautiful face, it had shifted from her usual display to a mask through which no emotion was shown. He didn't know what was worse, Buffy being in love with him or her acting like she wasn't
The door opened...
"Have I interrupted something?"
Author: NABELLETHEY (The Beffster)
Disclaimer: Unfortunately I do NOT own any of the characters in this story. You hear that? I don't own anything, except this idea which is the property of me and me only! But other than that I own nada...not even the computer I'm writing this on... :S
Summary: crossover with Buffy the vampire slayer and The Lord of The Rings at the end of season 3 in BTVS and just before the attack at Weathertop in LOTR.
WARNING: Angel is in this story and it will be B/A romance and angst. Any Legolas dissing is an accident it's just my personal feelings about him being a pansy coming to the fore.....if you find any unfair descriptions, actions etc. tell me and I'll correct 'em! I don't mean to offend anyone but spit happens! R and R please but no flames and stuff I'm a sensitive writer. (except to Legolas teehee!)
Sorry all for the delay in the postage had a sever case of the flu and writers block also a severe case of the evil teachers who suddenly decided that coursework needed to be done and with ten gcse subjects....its all work and no writing fan fictions for The Beffster. Anyway ive finally finished chapter 6 and here it is read and review to the best of your ability and I'll write more to the best of mine. Thanks again to my beta reader ELLE and to AMY (MauledBarbie on fiction press.net) and to JENNIE W as well coz they have cheered me up tremendously in my time of writers block and need!!!!! and to sarah mcachlan whose wonderful songs brought me inspiration to many moments and many fics.
This chapter is shorter than I intended it to be but read it anyway and I hope you enjoy it
Love to all who love me! xxx
Chapter 6
Warmth pressed in against her. It wasn't heavy, just a constant, pleasant weight that reminded her of...of a blanket. The blanket on her bed at home. She was home. How had that happened? Buffy didn't care. She'd escaped the darkness, the pain and fire of her dreams. It was just a dream. She'd open her eyes and find herself in her room, alone – or...or maybe that was a hand holding hers. Maybe it was still three weeks ago. Maybe Angel –
The hand squeezed, just gently, but she felt it. Her heart jumped slightly in her chest and, hoping – hell, praying – she squeezed back. Angel?
Of course. She knew his hands too well. When had it gotten this bad? What did it matter – they were holding hands...holding. HOLDING! As in, physical contact? With Angel?
Everything flooded back to Buffy in a rush, making her ears ring and her hand tingle where their flesh touched. She saw him in the darkness of her closed eyes – saw him turning, saw him leaving. He had left her. He had left her. He had made the choice to go. He had let her go. He couldn't touch her – they couldn't touch like this, never again!
With as much speed as she could muster, Buffy jerked her hand back, forcing herself to give up that warmth, that comfort. A soft, unguarded sound escaped her. It hurt still. Everything hurt.
"Buffy?" Angel sat up sharply in his chair, leaning towards her, wanting to see her eyes again. Her head was turned from him, her hand drawn away and curled against her chest. Angel tried to keep his expression neutral. He knew their relationship was fractured, but perhaps some part of him had hoped that Buffy would still...Angel felt a scowl tug at his lips. How could he be so selfish? He forced himself to finish the thought: some part of him had hoped that Buffy would still need him – just when she woke up. She'd hold his hand as she opened her eyes and smile at him because...because she would have forgotten, just for an instant, what had happened between them...
Angel now had no control over the scowl on his lips. Just what had he expected from her? – 'I forgive you'? 'I understand why you did it'?
The line between hopeful and delusional seemed to be thin in his case.
"Buffy?" He tried again, keeping his voice soft and easy. Her head turned further into the pillow and her closed eyes tightened.
"Buffy, come on open your eyes, I know you're awake"
"Am not" Buffy replied, her eyes still refusing to open. Angel studied her silently, relieved that she had responded, thankful that she still sounded herself after...whatever she went through.
In his brief conversation with Lord Elrond, Angel hadn't come any closer to discovering what had caused Buffy to...'freak' like that. It was sad, really, that he was thinking in 'Buffyspeak' as she called it. Three years was a long time to be around someone. Surely it was only human to pick up their way of speaking... Angel smiled sardonically to himself. 'Only human'. He was delusional.
"Of course not, otherwise you wouldn't be talking" he said, trying to keep the mood light.
Buffy finally opened her eyes and raised her eyebrow at him. Angel had cracked a joke. That had happened a whole two times. Then shook her head and smiled at him. God, he looked good in the fading light. She frowned and lifted herself up onto her elbows. Where the hell was she? This certainly wasn't her bedroom.
"Easy." Angel rose from his seat and touched her arm, wary in case she overdid it. Buffy grunted, trying to nudge a pillow out of her way whist shaking off Angel's touch at the same time.
"No – look, Angel, I can do things by myself" she snapped. Then, realising how callous that had sounded, sighed.
"Sorry. I'm just..."
"It's fine...it's me, I..." Angel sunk back down into his seat and trailed off awkwardly. What was he trying to apologise for again?
"It's okay."
Angel relaxed. Just a couple of words from Buffy could do that to him.
"Are...are you feeling okay –"
Angel was interrupted as the door at the other end of the room eased open. Both he and Buffy tensed reflexively, but seeing who their visitors were, Angel at least relaxed. Buffy shot him a questioning look as three men entered. Angel returned her gaze encouragingly, deciding not to chance touching her again.
"You have awoken, my lady" The man who had spoken was tall and proud, his forehead defined and noble and his overall unearthly air pronouncing him as something other than human. Buffy had been in the business long enough to tell. She tightened her fingers in the bed sheets and tried to look unaffected.
"Seems so"
"You feel well?" said one of the other men Buffy could now identify as Strider and she gave him a rare, relieved smile.
"Yeah, I'm good"
Angel frowned at the exchange but said nothing. How could he? He kept his eyes on Buffy, trying to regain her attention, but she was staring at Strider. Reluctantly, Angel followed her gaze. So the ranger had washed himself – big deal. Angel washed too...
"Ah, sorry, I'm not really sure who you – er, where I am."
"Of course, young one." The noble guy inclined his head slightly. Buffy was reminded strongly of a hunting bird showing off its feathers.
"You are in my kingdom, Rivendell."
"Oh."
"I am Lord Elrond of the elves."
"Ah," Buffy swallowed and tried to think of something intelligent to say. At that moment she caught sight of Elrond's smooth, pointed ear tips and felt all coherent thought flee her mind.
"And naturally, Buffy, you will not yet have met Gandalf the Grey." Strider said rapidly, stepping forward a little and rescuing her.
Buffy's eyes shifted gratefully to a 'Merlin' type man dressed in grey with a world-worn face and long, grey clothes. Grey. That was appropriate...
"Buffy just woke up." Angel said. Buffy gave him a strange look and Angel wasn't quite sure why he'd spoken.
"I suspected you would be rejoining us today." Elrond said, somehow managing not to sound pompous and stepping gracefully over to the bedside. Buffy fought the urge to shift away as he raised his hand to her, but he only wanted to feel her forehead and the palm was pleasantly cool and dry.
"You will have your strength back in little time now." The Lord informed her, leaning back and glancing her over in a professional manner. Buffy ducked her head, still not knowing fully how to behave. Her stomach gave a sudden loud growl, making its demands known to everyone in the near vicinity. Buffy felt the blood shoot to her cheeks like a couple of very red lights switches being flipped on.
"Oh...sorry! Guess I'm kinda...well..." Buffy stammered.
"You haven't eaten in five days." Angel said gravely, with a harsh glance at Strider.
"I shall fetch a meal for you, milady." Strider said hurriedly, bowing slightly and moving swiftly from the room.
"Thanks!" Buffy called after him awkwardly. Angel's expression was stormy.
"Well, now that introductions have been made, I fear I must depart and allow you your rest." Gandalf stated grandly. Buffy smiled and nodded, embarrassed, but taking an immediate liking to the elderly man. There was something very mysterious and exciting about him, much like everything else in this...Middle Earth.
"I too will leave you to rest, I have another guest who needs my attention" Lord Elrond stated, tipping his head in a bow and heading towards the door.
"I will return after your meal to discuss your past condition" He left a still confused Buffy, hungry in bed, and Angel by her side still pondering the effect that a clean Strider had had on his girl...his girl? Boy did he have it bad.
Buffy waited a few beats before swinging her legs to the side of the bed. Angel had noticed her movement and was already pushing her back into bed before she realised what she was wearing. A long, floaty white...thing
"Angel!" Buffy exclaimed angrily trying to push herself back up, angel held her shoulders down.
"You need to rest" he insisted
"From what I've gathered I've been asleep for five days" Buffy argued
"That's not the point; you need to build your strength up"
"My strength is perfectly up!" she responded indignantly
"Oh really, that's why you aren't able to get back up"
Buffy couldn't answer that. She was fighting to sit up again but she really was more exhausted than she recognised. Angel was close to her, if he'd have breathed, which of course he didn't, she would have felt his breath on her face. Buffy couldn't stand being this close to him, her body was screwed up, not knowing how to react with him around her and her mind was...her mind was...even more screwed up. She needed to stop this, now. Buffy forced her emotions down from the surface and was silent.
When Buffy said nothing, Angel looked down at her beautiful face, it had shifted from her usual display to a mask through which no emotion was shown. He didn't know what was worse, Buffy being in love with him or her acting like she wasn't
The door opened...
"Have I interrupted something?"