Chapter 27

One Year Later

"Angel, we talked about this." Buffy said. She was finishing up the packing for her and Connor for their trip to New Zealand. Buffy had gotten the part of Anne Boleyn in the movie version of her favorite book The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory. Nathalie Portman had gotten sick when filming was supposed to have begun five months ago and when she got well again, she had decided she didn't want the part because of another role that had come along. The producers of the film had searched for a new Anne, and had even considered moving Scarlet Johansson from the role of Mary Boleyn to Anne until Buffy had announced she was coming back to Hollywood early for the movie and her agent had set up an audition. Buffy had nailed it and production was back on.

Unfortunately, the filming was in New Zealand instead of anywhere close.

"I just don't see why they can't film it here in LA." Angel said, bouncing his one year old son.

"Because LA doesn't look a thing like the old world that the Tudors and the Boleyns lived in. New Zealand does. You saw Lord of the Rings."

"Why did you have to go back to Hollywood early?"

"Because this role is something I've been waiting for. It's a chance to really show what I've got. Besides, I love this book."

"Do you have to take Connor? You'll be on set all the time…."

"Angel," Buffy walked up and placed her hand on his cheek, rubbing gently with her thumb. "He'll be fine. He won't be alone for a second."

"He won't recognize you."

"What do you mean?"

"You're hair is going to be dark. He's only seen you with blonde hair."

"Angel…."

"Buffy, I'm just worried."

"I'm the woman. I should be the worry-wort."

"Well, you're fearless. You don't worry."

"I do so. This is ridiculous! We decided two months ago that this was ok."

"You decided! I never said I was ready for this."

"But you've had a year and a half to get ready for this."

"No, I've had a year."

"And a half. More than a half. Eight months. A year and eight months."

Angel sighed. "I don't want you to go."

The biting, testosterone-poisoned tone in his voice made her stop. "Do not ask me to give this up. I won't. The arrangements are made, we're leaving in four hours whether you like it or not." She closed her eyes and took a breath. "I don't want to leave it like this."

"Then don't leave."

"What are you so worried about?"

"You know what? Nothing. It's nothing. It's always nothing!"

"Oh, stop being such a child! You're coming out in less than three weeks. That's not that long."

"Just go."

"You're not taking us to the airport?"

"Fine. I'll drive you there and see you off and I'll pretend to be happy."

"If that's the best I can get from you, then I'll take it." She slammed her suitcase shut and pushed past her husband.

Buffy paced her huge trailer on set in New Zealand in full costume and makeup. The lights were taking forever to set up and get right, so she had gone to her trailer. Ville had decided to take a long-needed vacation and he had come out to New Zealand to spend it with his best friend and nephew. At the moment, he was bouncing Connor on his knee as he patiently watched Buffy pace.

"He's just going to brood the entire time he's here." Buffy said.

"If he can brood in this beautiful place, there's something wrong with him." Ville said.

"I don't want to hear him bitch. We've done nothing but bicker at each other over the phone. Even after we're safely here, he's still insisting that we need to be careful because he has a feeling."

"Do you think you should've listened?"

"No! Despite the fact that it's supposed to be cold outside according to my internal calendar, it's hot as hell out there and I'm in about thirty pounds of underwear and another 20 pound dress…. And I'm in a corset and can't breathe…. Despite that, I'm completely happy that I'm here. I'm playing Anne Boleyn. I'm making a movie straight from my favorite book."

"Then you're fine. As long as you're happy and your son is happy, then he should be happy."

"Someone with logic!"

"Am I the only one you've bitched to?"

"No, Bam's been at the end of my rants lately."

"Is he done filming that music video?"

Buffy shrugged as best she could. "I don't know. He's not here, so I guess not."

"Calm down, sweetheart. You'll pass out." Buffy took the deepest breath possible in her tightly laced corset and breathed out. "Now, when is he coming?"

"In three days."

"Then sit down and think about what you're going to say to him. Obviously you're not communicating as well as you could be. There's something missing. So, tonight, think about anything that bugs you about him and have him think about everything that bugs him about you. Then, work it out. You two love each other and the last thing I want to see is you back in the hospital because he's left you."

Buffy sighed and sat down next to Ville, taking her son from him. She smiled slightly. "This is supposed to be where I lay my head on your shoulder and ask what I would do without you."

"But….?"

"This corset doesn't allow that much movement."

Ville laughed and kissed the side of her head. "I've brought a present for Connor."

"Really?" As if Connor knew what was going on when Ville stood up and went to his bag, he started to flail his arms happily and laugh.

Ville smiled and produced a large box. "Since I missed his birthday, I've made up for it as best I can." He sat down and then helped Connor open it. There was about 20 baby items with Heartagrams on them in the box. "At one of the meetings, we were talking about new merch and I came up with baby clothes and baby things with Heartagrams."

"These are so cute!" Buffy held up a bib with the HIM logo on it. "I can't wait to put him in this."

"And then there's this." Ville produced a gorgeous white gold bracelet with a Heartagram charm on it from his pocket. On the back of the charm were her initials engraved in the HIM script. "This is yours. I figured you deserved a present on Connor's birthday too since you went through a lot to get him here."

Buffy leaned over and Ville bent his head to help her kiss his cheek. "Thank you. We love it. I can't wait to show all of this to Angel!"

There was a knock on the door and Mandy stuck her head in. "The lights are set up. They're waiting for you."

"Oh." Buffy kissed her son and handed him back to Ville. "Are you ok?"

"I'm sure we boys will be fine. Go."

She smiled, hiked her skirts to walk better, and rushed out of the trailer with a smile.

Three days later, Buffy holding Connor, Ville, and Bam were at the airport waiting for Angel's plane. The board said the plane was delayed, but it had been over an hour. Finally, they got hungry and headed to a restaurant near the airport. They ate and an hour later were back waiting in the airport. The board still said the plane was delayed.

"I wonder what's going on." Buffy said. Connor was getting fussy and Buffy decided to take him to the bathroom and change him. By the time she came out, the airport was going into chaos. She found her way back to Ville and Bam and Ville held her and Connor close so they didn't get run over. "What's going on?"

"I don't know. This just started happening." Bam said.

"Where's someone that works here?" Ville asked, looking around as he protected Buffy and Connor. There were other people standing around looking confused and frightened as well. Just as he said it, about five airline attendants rushed past to get past the security and into the airline.

"Something's wrong." Buffy said quietly. "Something's not right. Something's wrong."

"Shh," Ville soothed. "I'm sure a plane just broke down on the runway. It could even be Angel's plane. He's out there waiting." But deep down, Ville was getting the feeling that something was wrong too. "Come on, let's go sit down out of the way and wait." He took her free hand and led them over to a table sitting in a restaurant.

Another two hours passed and there still wasn't any word. Bam was sent to check on the flight constantly. It always said delayed. "Maybe he can't fly in yet because of the broken down plane." Bam suggested. There's a couple other delayed flights."

Ville smiled uncertainly. "See? That's probably it."

Buffy started to nod, but she saw a man in a suit looking around the security area. The man asked a passing woman something and the woman pointed to Buffy in the window. The man nodded and started to head their way. Ville noticed the color drain from Buffy's face and he turned to look at where she was staring. Bam had already noticed and taken Connor from Buffy in case she fainted. Ville reached out under the table and squeezed her hand.

"Buffy Summers?" The man in the suit asked, walking up.

"O'Donnell. It's O'Donnell now." Buffy said.

"Yes. So sorry. Ma'am, if I could just get you to come with me?"

"Is there something wrong?" Ville asked.

"I'm afraid so."

Ville helped Buffy stand and motioned for Bam to stay close. They followed the man to a door marked PRIVATE and then inside. He led them to a room with comfortable couches and a little drink area. It looked like a cozy hospital waiting room. "Just have a seat. I'll go get the Airport Director."

Bam smiled and bounced Connor on his knee, making faces at him. Buffy and Ville watched him for a moment and Buffy looked at Ville for reassurance. "He's fine." Ville said. "I'm sure he's fine. This is just about the delay."

A tall man with thick white hair walked into the room and greeted them with a solemn face. "Buffy O'Donnell?" He asked in a thick Australian accent.

"Yes." Buffy stood up and shook the man's hand. "Sir, I don't know what's going on, but I'd love to know where my husband's plane is."

"Please, have a seat."

"I don't want to have a seat. I've been sitting for the last nine hours."

"Buffy." Ville warned softly. He took her hand and gently tried to lead her back to her seat. She wasn't having it.

The Director stood in front of her. "Mrs. O'Donnell, there's been an accident. We've been trying to compile a list of…." He paused. "Flight 1066 crashed just off the coast of Northern Australia."

"What?" Buffy felt the world drop away.

"We've compiled a list of everyone that boarded the plane….."

"My husband wasn't on it?"

The man looked down for a moment and then looked into the tear-filled eyes of one of the most famous actresses in the entertainment industry. "I'm sorry."

"Are there any survivors?"

"We're still searching."

Buffy's legs gave out as her world crashed down on her. Ville just barely caught her and sank to the floor with her clinging desperately to his shirt. He didn't know what to do. He looked at Bam helplessly as Bam looked on at his best friend. He didn't know what to do either. He was in too much shock. The only thing keeping him together was the baby in his hand who started to cry at his mother's anguish. Buffy heard her son and reached out to take him from Bam. "Shh, mommy's here. Don't worry. I'm sure he's fine. He's strong. He's too strong. He's fine."

The Director started to say something, but Bam shook his head and gestured for the man to leave the room. He did as he was told and Bam crouched on the floor to hold his best friend as Ville took Connor from Buffy. "Shh…."

"He's fine. He can't be…. He's fine."

"Awe, B." Bam kissed her hair and held her tightly. "I'm so sorry."

Buffy pushed him away. "No! He's fine. They'll find him and he'll be fine!" She yelled as she started to take her anger out on Bam. "Don't you dare sit there and tell me he's…. Cause he's not. He can't be. We have a son. He's going to be fine. He's going to come home and he's going to help raise Connor."

Ville handed Connor to Bam and stood up. "Buffy."

"No!"

"Buffy." Ville reached out for her, but she shoved his hands away.

"NO!"

"Sweetheart." Buffy looked at him and collapsed into his arms as the tears started to flow and reality set in. Ville held her and tried to keep his tears at bay. Bam had given in and was cuddling Connor tightly as he hung his head to hide the tears.