Chapter Nine
Two weeks later…
Buffy, Angel, Willow, Kennedy, Giles, Xander, Faith and Dawn were squeezed on to two three seater sofas, with Spike sitting on the floor in front of them, a bowl of popcorn in his hands. Buffy had her head buried in Angel's shoulder; Willow was hiding behind Kennedy's hands; Giles was squashed in the corner of the second sofa looking uncomfortable; Xander was hiding behind a cushion and Faith had her arm around a shaking Dawn. A scream emitted from the television set and everyone gasped…apart from Faith who cheered, Spike who laughed and Angel who just looked mildly amused. Buffy squeaked and hid further in Angel's shoulder. He never understood how she could be so terrified of Friday the 13th when she spent most of her nights killing monsters.
A painful half an hour later, the film had finally finished and everyone was removing themselves from the sofas.
Giles: Well, that was…bracing…I think I'll retire to my room now, see you all in a few hours
Dawn: I can't go to sleep now, not after that!
Faith: Yeah, you never know…(whispers hoarsely) he might come and get you
Dawn: Shut up Faith! That's it, I'm putting a Disney film on, Willow, Kennedy, Xander? You in?
Willow/Kennedy/Xander: Sure
Dawn: Spike?
Spike: No, that film's got me in the mood, I want to go out and slay something
Faith: I think I'll join you. I need to find Wood anyway and rescue him from the drooling girls (they leave)
Dawn: Buffy? Angel?
Buffy: Nah, not tonight, see you later Dawnie. You'd better be ready for training in the morning
Dawn: (winks) You too
Buffy shot her a mock glare and, taking Angel's hand, led him upstairs. As soon as they were out of sight Angel wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and kissed her earlobe gently.
Buffy: (murmurs) Hey, we're not even upstairs yet
Angel: (huskily) Sorry, I guess I just can't keep my hands off you
Buffy opened her bedroom door and shut it after Angel, turning towards him and kissing him twice gently, then again more deeply. They had decided to give their relationship another try. It was hard, they were struggling with their desires, and the tension between them was, at times, too much to bear. But they were trying, and they were working through it.
Angel slid his fingertips up and down Buffy's back, sending tingles up her spine. She moved away, smiling at him.
Buffy: You're not going back to the office tonight right?
Angel: Hmm well I guess I could stay, if you want me to
Buffy: (smiling) You know I do (kisses) I hate spending time away from you. That time you were in the kitchen earlier? That was enough time apart
As soon as she'd said it, she looked up at him in confusion, then moved to the other side of the room, running her fingers through her hair.
Buffy: Angel, what's going on? The past couple of weeks, it's like I've been getting flashes of memories that I can't quite grab on to. Memories that I can't remember! I feel like I'm losing my mind! Things we say to each other set them off. At first I thought it was just me, but then I realised that every time it happens, you go bizarro too! I know you know something, please, just tell me.
Angel sighed and sat down on the bed. He'd hoped he'd never have to do this. Tell her about The Day That Wasn't. But he couldn't lie to her. Not now.
Buffy: Angel?
Angel: Do you remember when you came to see me? After you found out that I'd been to protect you at Thanksgiving and not told you? It was a few years ago now.
Buffy: I remember
Angel: How long do you remember staying for?
Buffy: I don't know, maybe 10 minutes?
Angel: (shaking his head) You were there for a day and a night
Buffy: What?
Angel: You remember the demon that attacked us? Mohra? Well the first time you were there –
Buffy: (confused) First time?
Angel: Just let me explain, okay? The first time you were there, I had no idea what it was. It attacked us and got away so we went hunting it. We split up and then it attacked me. I killed it and some of its blood mixed with mine. Its blood has regenerative properties and it made me human. I went to the Oracles to see if it was real and they told me it was, so we were together for the rest of that day and the night. (smiling) It was perfect
Buffy, her head reeling, sat down on the bed next to Angel.
Buffy: (whispers) I can remember. You walked up to me and kissed me…what happened? What changed?
Angel: You fell asleep and Doyle came back. He told me he had a vision and that Mohra had regenerated itself. I didn't want to wake you so we went to kill it ourselves. It over powered us and it told me that more warriors would come. Just when it was about to kill me, you showed up and saved me. I went to see the Oracles to ask whether Mohra was right. They said that he was, and that when the warriors came, you would die because I was mortal and unable to protect you. So I asked for them to turn me back. They said they'd turn back the day, as if it had never happened, so that I could kill Mohra before its blood made me mortal. No one would remember, other than me. I went back and told you. We said goodbye and…you told me that –
Buffy: I'd never forget…I told you I'd never forget. But I did. I can remember. I can remember it all…Nobody knew but you. All this time…
Angel: I'm sorry I never told you, but how could I? Knowing would only hurt you more
Buffy: (stands up in front of him) But it would have hurt you less. God I wish you'd told me Angel! All this time and I never knew. If you hadn't gone to the Oracles, we could have been together!
Angel: But you'd probably be dead now. I couldn't let that happen. And we're together now. That's all that matters
He reached and wrapped his arms around her waist, burying his face in her stomach and she tenderly stroked his hair.
Buffy: Yeah. That's right…that's right
Chapter Ten
Buffy could smell the sleaze as soon as she walked into the bar. She saw at least five vamps and more demons than she could count. But she wasn't here to fight. She was here for information. This guy was like Willy was back in Sunnydale, the dirty bartender who'd help anyone out if they made it worth his while. She walked up to the bartender.
Buffy: Marcus, right?
Marcus: (leering) that depends on who's asking, sweetheart
Buffy: The name's Buffy, and I need some information
Marcus: (loudly) Buffy the VAMPIRE SLAYER, is it? (she saw some vamps get up and leave)
Buffy: Relax, I'm not here to fight. Like I said, I want some information
Marcus: On what?
Buffy: The Powers That Be
Marcus: Listen sweetheart, you're barking up the wrong tree here
Buffy grabbed him and pulled him over the bar
Buffy: Firstly, my name isn't sweetheart. Secondly, I'm in a bit of a hurry. Now, are you going to help me? Or am I going to have to persuade you?
Marcus: Look, I don't know much. The Powers like their secrecy see. What do you wanna know 'bout 'em?
Buffy: How can I find them?
Marcus: (laughing) You don't find them, they find you (winces when she grips him tighter) Well, there's this one guy. Kinda their portal to this world. He takes a liking to you, maybe he'll help you talk to 'em
Buffy: Who's this guy?
Marcus: Name's Hurst
Buffy: How can I find him?
Marcus: That I don't know. Maybe you can ask your buddy Angel 'bout that one
Buffy released him. Of course it would make sense, Angel probably did know someone who had a contact with the Powers, especially after Cordelia…
Marcus: Don't I get a thank you?
Buffy: (shooting him a look) Thanks
The problem was, trying to get Angel to give her information on Hurst, without realising what she was up to. Angel's not exactly the dumbest guy in the world. And he was very suspicious. She'd have to do some snooping…or get someone to do some snooping for her…she got out her cell and rang a number.
Buffy: Spike, hi. I need you to do me a big favour
Chapter Eleven
Spike couldn't believe what he was doing. Here he was, in Angel's office, snooping around his personal files. If he ever found out what he was doing, what Buffy was doing, he was sure they'd pretty much be dead, especially him. But Buffy assured him she'd keep Angel occupied for a couple of hours. And knowing Buffy, she'd be able to do that pretty easily.
Cut to Buffy and Angel patrolling. They dust a vamp each, then Angel attacks her from behind and they spar briefly before she pins him against the wall of a crypt and kisses him fiercely.
Cut back to Spike searching through a filing cabinet. He found what he was looking for – a folder entitled Hurst. He took out a sheet of paper, returned the file and left the office, taking care to lock it behind him. He didn't want to leave Angel any clues that he'd been in there.
Cut to Buffy and Angel cuddling on a chair in his apartment. She's snoozing, her head resting against his chest while he sits there, content to hold her. She wakes up with a start and looks around, startled by the unfamiliar environment. Then she realises and looks up at Angel, smiling.
Angel: Hi
Buffy: Hi (kisses) Mm what time is it?
Angel: Just before 6
Buffy: Oh I better go. Got a training class at 8
She moves to get up but he pulls her back on to him
Angel: So that leaves another two hours (kisses)
Buffy: But I gotta prepare for it (kisses)
Angel: Okay, so an hour and a half (kisses)
She tenses in his grasp for just a moment longer, then relaxes and wraps her arms around him.
Buffy: You are too persuasive, you know?
Angel: (smiling) Hmm I've been told (kisses)
Buffy: (kissing his neck) I can't be late
Angel: (pouting) But we haven't spent much time together lately. What with slaying and with the school. And anyway, you're not complaining too much (kissing her nose)
Buffy sighed and got up then, Angel quickly following suit.
Angel: Don't go
Buffy: I have to. And you have to get some sleep. You look like you haven't slept for about a week
Angel: Thanks
Buffy: (smiling) You know what I mean
Angel: Fine, fine. Will I see you later?
Buffy: Sure, you can take the girls out patrolling with me if you like
Angel: (wincing) Erm no that's ok, I'll pass…I'll see you tomorrow
Buffy grinned and kissed him gently. Angel was one of the only men the girls been in contact with for months. And, in most of their opinions, he was the best eye candy. They came on a little strong last time Angel went out with them…
When Buffy left the apartment the smile immediately left her face. She wasn't going patrolling tonight, Faith was. She hated lying to Angel. But she couldn't tell him what she was really up to, he'd never let her do it. She entered the elevator but instead of pressing for the ground floor, she pressed L1. Spike's apartment.
Spike: Hey Buffy. I was wondering when you were gonna show up
Buffy: Sorry, I know I'm late. Did you get it?
Spike: Yeah I got it (hands over the paper) You wanna come in?
Buffy: I can't. I've gotta get back to the school, I'm teaching this morning. But thanks, thanks a lot
Spike: I'm not even gonna ask
Buffy: (smiling) Good idea
