Distribution: take it but ask first!
Authors note: italics are thoughts.
Been edited, sorry folks.
Watching her sleep
Angelus watched Buffy continuously wept for her dead lover in the arms of her mother. He watched her being dragged home by her friends as she clung to her friend Willow, murmuring words of denial and pain. At some pointhe thought he'd die in her sorrow, her beautiful features looked dull and lifeless it tightened his heart every time she let out a wail.
"He can't be mum…he just…" Buffy sobbed, clutching her mother like she had the power to bring him back but couldn't.
"Oh honey" Joyce said soothingly as she rocked her like a baby "I know the world around you seems to be collapsing by the foundation but I'm sure he would have wanted you to be happy"
"But why? Why couldn't have that been me? I just saw him this morning and he's…and he's…" Buffy heaved another sob, wetting her mother's clothes with her tears.
"I know…" Joyce said kissing her forehead.
Angelus frowned at the slayer's sadness, it wasn't fair that she should be put through this. Love was suppose to be everlasting, not to rip someone's heart out. But then again the slayers were suppose to be alone in the end.
"Dammit!" Angelus growled loudly in frustration, it wasn't fair for her.
Buffy's head snapped up to look around, she may be very upset but she still was the slayer "Did you hear that?"
Angelus looked at her quietly, contemplating in his head whether she heard him or not. Angels could only be seen or heard if they wanted to be other than that, they were completely invisible to anyone. This was very, very unusual sincenot even the slayer could see them.
"Hear what honey?" Joyce asked a little confused.
"I thought I heard something" Buffy said trying to find the source.
Angelus waved his hand in front of her when he thought she was making eye contact with her, he was half scared half excited at the prospect that she could see him and maybe she she was indeed a very powerful slayer. But that thoughtdied instantly when she got up and moved right through himto look around the room.
"Typical" Angelus muttered.
"I didn't hear anything dear" Joyce looking very concerned at her daughter "Why don't you go to bed you must be exhausted"
"Okay…" Buffy said wearily "Goodnight"
"Goodnight Buffy" Joyce said then watched her daughter as she ascended the stairs to her room with Angelus behind her.
Angelus had to turnaway when she began to dress into her nightgown. He was tempted to turn around and watch her, but being a gentlemen he was he let her change in privacy. Which in some rare cases he wanted to forget and watch, with this being one of them. Hey, being an angel didn't mean he had to act like one.
"So you're the slayer" Angelus thought out loud, even though he knew she wouldn't respond "You have a nice room" he said lamely then spots a stuff pig on the side of her dressing table clutched within his grasp.
It was soft, sponging and very much loved, he smiled knowing this was her favourite. He heard the covers of her bed ruffle a bit, signalling him she was going to sleep. Turned around realising he was clutching the pig and stood absolutely still, hoping she didn't see the pig flying about. Then silently thanking the Powers the Be she was facing towards her window and not her dressing table. He stood there watching her fall into a deep sleep. He was an angel for battle and here he was being a guardian for a champion that didn't need to be guarded.Especially avery beautiful champion that didn't need to be gaurded.
Thisis veryconvenient Angelus sarcasically thought I'm guarding a champion and I can't help but think she's sex-on-legs!
He approached her and studied her form in every detail, including her aura. Light blue with hints of gold, a very good slayers aura but he frowned at deep grey at the edges. Sadness, was soaking up all the light in it her aura and it wasn't very nice for an angel to see, especially if they developed feelings for their charge.
"You'll be alright slayer" Angelus mumbled to her "Time always heals hearts, even yours" but what about mine? No can't be thinking that, charges are jobs not potencial lovers he thought as he looked her face again. So young, so beautiful, so...much pain she'll have to face untill to finished mourning and then he'll go. That is if he wanted togo.
"Angelus" a pair of voices shouted.
Angelus spun around to see Doyle and Gunn smiling.
"I told ya he was trailin' a lass" Doyle said to Gunn, then looked at Buffy "Anda fine one too"
"Knock it off, she's a job" Angelus growled protectively, he really didn't want them to know he was developing feelings for someone who didn't know he evenexisited. Talk about your humiliation and the fact they were as reliable to keep a secret as trusting a fox in a chicken pen.
"Yeah and lovely one too" Doyle snickered.
"Not that kind of job" Angelus said looking as if he had friend and murder in mind.
"Oh so your guarding her?" Gunn said disbelieving him "Yeah a slayer dose need protection"
"Her boyfriend died and heasked me to" Angelus said "Its only till she's moved on"
"And would this moving on bein your direction" Gunn couldn't help but smile.
"No this is strictly professional" Angelus informed, but something in his heart togged at that.
"Whadda ya say Gunn?" Doyle said with mischief in his eyes.
"Totally" Gunn said matching Doyle's gleam.
"And what is that suppose to mean?" Angelus said knowing all too well what his friends meant.
"Ya whipped lad" Doyle said then dodged the incoming blow "Now now what would dear Muffy say?"
"Buffy" Angelus corrected "and like all humans nothing. Now why did you come here in the first place?"
"Oh dat we were wondering if ya like ta go out and have some fun, but since ya got a job to do" Doyle said with smirk "We'll leave you right to it" and in a flash of golden light he disappeared before Angelus could grab him.
"See ya around pal and try to enjoy the job" Gunn teased and like Doyle he disappeared in a flash of golden light.
"Of all the angels in the world I had to pick a pair devils in disguise" Angelus muttered then turns to Buffy sobs. Even in her sleep she was crying.
Sighing he approached her again, then gently caressed the back of his hand against her cheek. Her sobs had quietened a little at his touch but they were still there, knowing what to do he lay down beside her and pulled her into a gentle hug. Running soothing words of wisdom and most of all love into her ear, in spite of everything angels at the end of the day were full of love. What surprised him was how she grasped him firmly to her hands, needing him to hold her and comfort her subconsciously. So after two centauries, and a quick decision, Angelus fell asleep and into the dreams of theslayer.