Title: Read My Heart, Part 6

Author: sokkerblondie005

Disclaimer: In the first couple of chapters, I own no one. Joss is the Master of all Evils. (And their king.) Sadly, none of these are mine (although if you'll sell... I'm open! I'll fix their sad lives and make everything all better!)

Spoilers: None. It's AU.

Rating: It changes as we go. Uhhhh... for now, let's leave it at PG-13, for mentions of depression and rape.

Summary: AU. Buffy is a mind reader. Angel's a new kid with a secret. Faith is a slayer, and they are the scoobies. But... Buffy's gift has a price.

Extras: The couples are like they were in S2. B/A, W/O, C/X, J/G, and there's one exception. But you'll get that later. Oh, and anything in >>> these things is a thought. OK? Ok. ??????????????????

"No! Angel, don't-" Willow dashed after the huge teenager, trying to stop him. As Willow sprinted away, while trying to close the front door, Faith was nearly bowled over by a sprinting, red-cheeked Xander.

"Nice to see you too." She called after the second dark-haired boy racing up the stairs. She closed the door before anyone else could run her over and turned to follow Xander up the stairs.

Angel burst into Willow's room and looked frantically around for Buffy. Cordelia jumped up from the bed, prepared to defend Buffy against Parker, when she saw who it was that had barged in. Buffy was huddled under a blanket and some pillows, pressing herself up into the headboard of the bed.

It took Angel a second to register this and then Willow, Xander, and Faith came bursting in.

"Angel, what-" Cordelia started, only to be cut off by Willow. Angel! She doesn't need-- go! You aren't helping!" She continued to protest, but her angry words fell on deaf ears. She tried to push him out of the room, but he just growled and wouldn't budge.

Angel croaked. "What's... wrong with her? Why is she...so scared?" Buffy squeaked and pulled the covers over her head. Angel's eyes filled with tears.

>>>Is this because of me?>>> He thought. >>>Did I do this to her?>>> Angel moved closer to the bed and Buffy flinched. He stopped and looked pleadingly at Willow, begging her to tell him that it wasn't his fault that she was like this.

"She's not like this 'cause of you." Xander said quietly, making Angel's wish come true. But Angel didn't believe him.

"Sit on the bed, very carefully. Don't touch her unless she lets you. If you do, she might attack you. She doesn't know who you are right now. She can't think straight." Willow shakily told Angel. He took tiny steps towards the bed and gently sat on it.

"Buffy?" Angel's voice cracked. "Baby? It's me. It's just Angel." She slowly moved the blanket, uncovered her eyes, and upon seeing him, she cried out and latched onto him, sobbing.

"Oh, Buffy. I'm so sorry, baby. I don't know what to do. I can't help you, because I don't know what's wrong." He murmured, gently smoothing her hair and caressing her back.

>>Just do what you?re doing>>> Buffy thought. >>>Hold me and protect me from the world. Just let me pretend that everything?s ok, just for a minute. And nothing will ever be wrong again.>>>