Dark Times

Part Eight

Disclaimer: see previous chapters.

Author's notes: sorry about the long wait, though there shall be a longer wait if I don't get any reviews! I crave them, come on!

Dedication: this is a holiday present for Queen Boadicea, as well as that story you wanted me to write, which I shall get to you, because she has read and reviewed most os my stories, even if they suck! Thanks so much, have a happy holidays!

Reader Reviews:

Queen Boadicea: well, I hope this is the healing you're looking for. We won't touch on Jena's problems until next chapter, but maybe this will give some BA fans a bit of hope?

Angel found her in the basement. She pummeled the offending bag, tears running down her face.

She stiffened as he entered the room, but the staccato rhythm didn't change. Faith had obviously known where to find her, because she was holding the bag. When he neared, she let go of the bag, allowing it to swing freely, picked up her things and left, as if she didn't want to be witness to what was to follow. He took her spot holding the bag.

"Buffy." She punched the bag hard enough to make him concentrate on holding it still. If he had needed to breathe, she would have made him lose it. "Buffy," he tried again.

She spun and kicked the bag as hard as she could, knocking it from the chain. He let it fly into the wall.

"Buffy."

"I'm not ready to talk to you." She moved to grab her water bottle.

"Too bad." He grabbed her arm.

"Don't touch me," she growled, "Where'd Faith go?"

"She left."

"And the bag's gone," she sighed, frustrated, "I'm so outta here."

"Buffy, listen to me."

"I'm not in a listening mood."

"Too damn bad." He grabbed her arm again. She, not thinking, spun and punched him in the face. The tension that had been building came to a head as he growled and punched her back. She didn't seem phased by his attack, though the tears started again. She kicked him, and then it was an all out brawl. It wasn't until he tasted her blood on his lips, probably from his hand after wiping his own blood away, did he come to his senses. He blocked her next kick, and crowded her so she could only use her fists. He backed her up to the wall and pinned her arms to his chest.

She fought him, pounding on his chest, breathing hard, trying not to cry. She didn't want to be held by him. She wanted him to leave her alone. But she didn't want him to go. She wanted him in her life, but not like this.

"Sh…I'm sorry. I was out of line. Sh…." Slowly she calmed down, and the frustrated tears stopped.

"W-Why are our lives always l-like this? W-Why can't we just be h-happy?" she choked.

"I don't know," he said quietly. She seemed calm enough, so he started to move away.

"Don't. Can't we just stay like this?"

"Buffy…" he exhaled.

She was afraid that he was going to tell her he didn't love her anymore. She stepped out of his embrace, "Sorry. Oh, how's your face?"

He touched it, "it's fine…Buffy-"

"I'm sorry about beating you up," she pulled her clothes back into order.

"It seemed like you needed it. Do you, ah, do this often?" he motioned to the sparring weapons and punching bag.

She looked sheepish, "Yeah. The fighting's pretty much left to the girls, so Faith and I have an…agreement."

"Were you guys down here…after you're in LA?"

"How'd you know?"

He seemed uncomfortable, "Jena mentioned it one time."

"Oh…yeah. You just piss me off so much! All this bull between us….."

"I push you towards violence?"

"Well, Faith's willing, and I guess she gets it…."

"How did your life get so messed up?" he muttered under his breath.

"My life? You seem to be a key player." He turned from her, and she sighed, "I'm sorry. You probably didn't come down here to fight me. I know I didn't."

"Why? It's the truth."

"Because I-" she took a deep breath, thinking over her words, "I love you."

"Buffy…"

"No, I don't care anymore. We used to share everything…at least I did. I'm sick and tired of this, and the whole no-us thing. You were my best friend for so long….I love you. I still love you."

"That wasn't what I was going to say," he followed her to the door, "I don't know if be can be together, Buffy…But I was us to be…"

She didn't answer him, but she allowed him to catch up, and she slid her free hand into his as they walked towards the stairwell.