Renewal and Restoration
Author: buffy1
Spoilers: All of Buffy and Angel including season 5.
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Is this really needed in the 8th chapter?
Summary: Set two years after 'Chosen' and the year after 'Not Fade Away'. Angel is back to running Wolfram and Hart with the rest of AI when they receive devastating news.
Pairings: A/Nina to start with, B/S friendship, W/F
Author's note: This is my take on what happens next. In this version Fred was saved and she doesn't stay as Illyria. Also Wesley and Gunn didn't die!
The song is "See the Sun" by Dido. Playing it, if you have it, while you read is a good idea lol. Just so we're clear, when I say 5 months later I mean this entire montage has taken place over the course of 5 months.
Previously on Renewal and Restoration:
Angel entered a dim cavern with nothing to light it but an old torch mounted on the wall, and he saw her.
"I was wondering when you would get here," she said. Angel froze in shock,
"Buffy?"
"Go back to L.A! Go back to being CEO of hell incorporated. And stay out of my way,"
"Do you still love me?"
"I do."
"I don't know what to do with my life anymore. With the others gone…"
"You can always work for me. Please just think about it. Take my card,"
"I'm sorry…about the others,"
"So am I."
Chapter 8 - Baking
2 weeks later...
Angel sits at his desk back at Wolfram and Hart poring over paperwork. After his confrontation with Buffy the demon killings slowed. Every now and then he would receive news of demon groups being targeted, but the cases have mostly slowed. He'd been having trouble concentrating lately. All he thinks about is Buffy and he wonders where she is and what she's doing. He drops the file he is looking at and looks out the window, thinking about her.
I'm coming round to open the blinds
You can't hide here any longer
My god you need to rinse those puffy eyes
You can't lie still any longer
And yes they'll ask you where you've been
And you'll have to tell them again and again
She retrieves her fallen sword and the demon is quickly decapitated. She replaces the sword in its scabbard, flips her hair out of her face and looks around checking if anything survived. When she is satisfied she reaches into the pocket of her leather trousers. She feels around the pocket and she feels something. She takes it out and looks at it. It's Angel's business card at Wolfram and Hart. She sighs and replaces the card, going back to look in the other pocket. She pulls out a Zippo and sets light to one of the demons. The other carcasses quickly ignite and Buffy leaves the lot, flames and smoke trailing in her wake.
And you probably don't want to hear tomorrow's another day
But I promise you you'll see the sun again
And you're asking me why pain's the only way to happiness
And I promise you you'll see the sun again.
The team at Wolfram and Hart sat around the large table in the conference room, discussing a new case, but all Angel could concentrate on is Buffy. Currently, all of the attention is on Gunn while he talks about the problem and some of the options. Everyone, including Spike, is quiet and is listening except for a certain dark-haired vampire. In his mind's eye he can still see her face when she admitted she still loved him 'If only she was here. I'm still in love with her. I always have been. I just wish she could be here. We could make it work this time. No matter what.' Angel sighed to himself 'She's so beautiful, and graceful. Especially when she's fighting demons. The way she handles herself is just so-'
"ANGEL!" Angel jumps slightly at the sound of Wesley's voice and notices that everyone is looking at him strangely.
"What?" Spike started laughing at him
"Wipe the goofy grin off your face, peaches. This here is serious" Angel frowns at Spike's attempt at seriousness and is once again confused, not realising he was actually wearing a goofy grin to begin with.
"Sorry. So where were we?" Gunn once again started listing their options much to the others' annoyance, and Angel really did try to focus, only once again to lose himself in memories of himself and his soulmate.
Come on take my hand
We're going for a walk, I know you can
You can wear anything, as long as it's not black
Please don't mourn forever, she's not coming back
And yes they'll ask you where you've been
And you'll have to tell them again and again
Buffy sits on a bench, watching the world go by. She spots a café across the street and goes inside and orders a mocha. She digs into the pocket of her jeans and pulls out a handful of change, counting out the right amount and she pays for her drink. She turns and starts to leave, but a little boy runs after her and taps her on the back. She turns to face him, and the little boy hands her a small piece of card. She cautiously but curiously takes it from him, and he runs back to his mother. Buffy watches longingly as the little boy hugs his mother and she smiles and kisses his cheek. She looks down at her hands and nestled there is Angel's business card. She sighs in annoyance and screws it up in her hands, but can't bring herself to throw it away. She shoves it roughly into her pocket, intending to forget about it, and leaves the café.
And you probably don't want to hear tomorrow's another day
But I promise you you'll see the sun again
And you're asking me why pain's the only way to happiness
And I promise you you'll see the sun again.
And I promise you you'll see the sun again.
Angel is sat at his desk, surrounded by his best weapons. He attempts to focus completely on cleaning and polishing his weapons, even though nothing has changed since the last three times he cleaned them twenty minutes ago. He tries to forget about Buffy for the meantime, almost positive she wouldn't come back, and scrubs hard at his favourite broadsword. He scrubs so hard he doesn't notice his hand slip and the sharp edge of the sword grazes his skin. He swears under his breath and quickly grabs a clean cloth, wrapping it around the wound. He unwraps the cloth to check the wound and sees it is already healing. He tosses the used cloth aside and looks out the window, resigned to admit that he misses Buffy.
Do you remember telling me you'd found the sweetest thing of all
You said one day of this was worth dying for
So be thankful you knew her at all
But it's no more.
Buffy sits quietly around the campfire, watching the other girls dance, wishing her life could be as happy as theirs. A young girl, wrapped in bandages walks over to her, interrupting her musing. Buffy looks at the girl expectantly and she hands her a screwed up piece of card. Buffy takes it and frowns. The girl just watches her and Buffy looks at the card. It's Angel's business card. Buffy sighs and looks up at the girl. And smiles.
And you probably don't want to hear tomorrow's another day
But I promise you you'll see the sun again
And you're asking me why pain's the only way to happiness
And I promise you you'll see the sun again.
And I promise you you'll see the sun again.
5 months later…
It's another day of work at Wolfram and Hart and Angel is sat at the conference table with the rest of the team. He is doing a pretty good job of concentrating, until he feels something. His head shoots up and he jumps up, knocking over a cup of coffee. He looks at the other and sees them all staring at him. A smile breaks out over his face,
"She's here." He runs out of the office and jumps the stairs two at a time, until he gets to the ground floor. He pushes through the crowds of lawyers and other employees, listening to his instincts, until he gets to the main entrance. He stops suddenly and looks around…and he sees her. He smiles
"Buffy" She smiles in return and holds up his business card
"Is the job still open?" His smile broadens.
To be Continued…
Thanks to everyone for their feedback. Sorry this took so long. I only just got round to finishing it. Please keep sending feedback!