Innocense
Rating: Same as the show.
AN: This is the next one. Due to the fact I'm about to totally re-write season 2 and the rest if I get round to it, I'll just keep the names of the episodes. This was a 'I can't sleep at 2 am in the morning thing so I'm sorry if it's krap.'
Summery: What happens when luck and destiny collide?
Spoilers: Everything up to 'Surprise'.
AN: I'll put the English translations in normal print. You'll get it as you read. And I suggest you read the English cause my Gaelic and Romanian aren't crash hot. Thoughts are in
Prologue
Angel's Apartment
Angel clawed at his chest to try and get rid of the pain. He fell face down on the road. A hooker was watching. She started to come over to help.
Somewhere else in Sunnydale
A hooded figure sat inside a sacred circle. There was nothing but black emptiness where the eyes should have been.
'Nici mort nici al flin,ctei,
Te invoc spirit al trecerii Reda
rtupului ce separa omul
de animal Cu ajutorul acsetui
magic glob de cristal.
Quod perditum est, in venietur.
Te implore Doamne, nu ignora
accasta rugaminte!
Lasa orbita sa fie vasul care-I va
transporta sufletul la el neincetat!
Este scris, aceasta putere este dreptul
poporuil meu de a conduce.
Asa sa fie!
Acum!
Acum!'
(Not dead nor not of the living,
Spirits of the interregnum I call.
Restore to the corporal
vessel that which separates us from
beast. Use this orb as your guide.
What was lost shall be found.
I call on you gods, do not ignore
This supplication!
Let the orb be the vessel to carry
His soul to him permanently!
It is written, this power is my peoples
Right to wield.
Let it be so!
Now!
Now!)
As the figures eye's turned back to their original hazel, its head lifted toward the sky in plea. "Please don't let it be too late."
Angel's Apartment
"Are you okay?"
Angel looked up at the hooker next to him. He grabbed her hand and stood up.
"Actually yeah, the pains gone, I feel fine. What are you doing out in the rain?"
"What does it look like I'm doing? Money doesn't just roll in these days. A girl's gotta earn a livin'."
Angel looked the girl up and down then took her by the shoulder.
"What's your name?"
"Natalie."
"Natalie, nice name. Come on, let's talk."
As Angel led Natalie away Buffy woke up inside.
Ch. 1
Buffy woke up in bed and was surprised to find she was alone. Confused she called out to her lover.
"Angel? Angel, are you there?"
Not getting any reply, Buffy looked around for her clothes. After putting them on she took a quick tour of the apartment trying to find Angel. With no success she went to the bed and grabbed her shoes. After putting them on and taking one more look around, she let herself out and started to make her way back home just as the sun was rising. Managing to get past her mum, Buffy took a quick shower, mentally thanking anyone and everyone that her mum didn't notice she was in the same clothes as yesterday.
When her mum dropped her off at school Buffy went straight to the library.
"Gee what a surprise," she muttered.
When she got inside she found Willow, Xander, Giles and Jenny having an argument.
"We're going to the factory," Willow stated.
"Yeah," Xander declared just as Buffy walked through the door. Willow turned a little surprised to see her there
"Buffy."
Xander came over, "We were just going to rescue you."
Willow looked back at Giles, "Well some of us were."
Giles took off his glasses and started to stammer, "Well I-I, would have."
Buffy looked round in a rush
"Where's Angel?" Jenny asked.
Willow watched Buffy in concern
"He didn't check in with you guys?
"No."
Cordelia hopped down and actually began to show some interest.
"What happened?"
Giles took off his glasses as he spoke.
"The Judge, I-is he?"
"No Assembly required. He's active. He nearly killed us. Angel got us out. Giles looked round at the rest of the group then back to his slayer.
"Why didn't you call? We, we, we thought..."
"Well, we, we had to hide. Uh, we got stuck in the sewer tunnels, and with the hiding, we just split up... Uh, no one's heard from him?"
"I'm sure he'll come by." Willow replied.
"Buffy, what can you tell us about the Judge?"
Full research mode she thought.
"Not much. I, um... I kicked him. It was just like a sudden fever. If he ever got his hands on me…"
"In time, he won't need to. The stronger he gets, he'll be able to reduce us to charcoal with a look." Giles resumed pacing.
"Also, not the prettiest man in town."
Come on Buffy keep punning. Don't show them how scared you are.
"I better continue researching, must look for a weak spot. The rest of you should get to your classes." Buffy blinked and looked up.
"Yeah, I better go, too" Jenny exclaimed, walking with the others toward the door.
"Buffy, wait up!" Willow called trying to catch up with her friend
Out in the corridor they all went their separate ways, Buffy and Willow stayed together.
"You don't think that Angel would have gone off to fight the judge by himself do you?" Willow asked.
"He'd know better than that. Maybe he just needed... I don't know."
They started up the stairs.
"I just, I wish he'd contact me. I need to talk to him."
Jenny stood back watching them walk up the stairs, concern showing in her eyes.
Ch. 2
Jenny and her uncle were sitting on either side of a table. They sat that way for about 5 minutes before she sat back and sighed.
"Uncle, I need to know. You told me to watch Angel. You told me to keep him from the Slayer. I tried. But there are other factors. There are terrible things happening here that we cannot control."
"We control nothing."
"Angel could be of help to us. I mean he may be the only chance we have to stop the Judge."
"It is too late for that."
"Why?"
"The curse. Angel is meant to suffer, not to live as human. One moment of true happiness, of contentment, one moment where the soul that we restored no longer plagues his thoughts, and that soul is taken from him."
"Then, if somehow, if... if it's happened... then Angelus is back."
"I hoped to stop it. I just hope I was in time."
"You hope you were in time, Uncle, what have you done?"
"Merely what I had to do in order to survive. If it worked then the demon Angelus will never again be leashed on the world."
"If it worked?"
"Janna go, find out if his soul is permanent."
"For your sake I hope it has."
Jenny got up and left the room without a backward glance.
"So do I.," he answered
Ch. 3
Buffy was walking to her house, trying to think of another place that her beloved angel would be. She got to her front door and was about to go inside when she realized that she hasn't tried the apartment. She turned and walked back down the street. She arrived outside Angels about half an hour before sunset. She walked in and looked around. The bed had been made.
Well at least he's not dust.
She saw one of his shirts lying on it. She went over and gently caressed the soft material. Angel walked behind her and picked up some Jewelry and put it on. As he did this Buffy sensed the disturbance in the air and spun around. Seeing Angel she ran and flung his arms around him.
"Angel!"
"Hey"
"Oh!"
"Hey."
She kissed him and gave him a hug.
"Oh, my God! I was so worried!"
"I didn't mean to frighten you."
"Where did you go?"
"I woke up with this great pain in my chest. It felt like someone was trying to rip something out. I ran outside clawing my chest. Then all of a sudden the pain was gone. This hooker came over to see if I was okay. I told her I was fine, we had a little chat. It turns out she's trying to earn some money to feed her kids. I gave her some money and told her to buy herself an outfit. She knows her stuff when it comes to art. By the way if your mum asks you about a girl called Natalie, you sent her."
During this little speech Buffy had made her way to the bed and sat down. She looked up with tears in her eyes.
"So it wasn't me? I didn't do anything to make you leave?"
Angel sat down next to her and pulled her into his lap.
"No sweetheart. Trust me. You were wonderful, brilliant in fact."
"I just thought cause you were gone and I couldn't find you."
"Oh baby I'm sorry."
The tears finally fell.
"Sweetheart, it's okay what I said last night was true. I want to be with you forever, no one else."
Buffy clung to him with all her might.
"Mo gaol, ceisd mo cridhe. Earbsadh mo, mè gaol sibh leannan. Tá muid suthaaainn mo soillse."
Buffy looked up at him and smiled.
"I love your language. It's so beautiful and calming. What did you say?"
"My love, darling of my heart. Trust me, I love you sweetheart. We are everlasting my ray of light."
"God Angel I love you so much."
"So do I leannan. So do I."
Angel stroked her hair while she lay in his embrace. After a while he noticed that she was asleep. He picked her up and carried her to the bed where he placed her under the covers. He lay down next to her and Buffy automatically curled up in his arms, her back spooned against him. He wrapped his arms around her and silently thanked the higher powers once again for bringing the slayer into his life. As he started to go into brooding mode his phone rang. He disentangled himself from his lover's arms trying to ignore the unconscious whimper Buffy let up at the loss of body contact. He picked up the phone.
"Hello?" he whispered.
"Angel, " Giles voice came in loud and clear, "Why are you whispering?"
"Buffy's asleep." Angel whispered.
"Oh," Giles voice dropped to a whisper, "We need you at the library as soon as possible please. The Judge must be stopped."
Angel glanced toward the bed and sighed.
"We'll be right there."
He hung up the phone. Angel went to the bed and smiled. He lent down and kissed her forehead. He picked her up and held her in his arms. Walking out the door she moved as close to him as possible. "Your lucky I'm strong leannan or else you would be walking."
He pulled the door shut and heard it automatically lock. He began to walk to the library with the love of his life held safely in his arms.
Ch. 4
He reached the library about ten minutes after the phone conversation. He kicked open the door and walked in. Willow and Xander looked up and Willow gave a little yelp.
"Oh God Angel what happened. Is she okay?"
Angel looked at Willow then down to the sleeping slayer and finally got her meaning.
"Oh no Willow. She's fine."
At that moment Giles came out and ran over to them.
"What happened? Is Buffy okay?"
Buffy stirred but didn't wake. She just moved closer to Angel, a feat Angel had thought impossible given her position on the way over. He started whispering again.
"She's fine Giles. I couldn't bear to wake her so I carried her here. She needs sleep, the judge is powerful."
Willow looked up in admiration.
"Angel, thank you."
"For what Seileach?"
"For being you. Buffy loves you and you love her back. I don't know anyone who would carry his girlfriend anywhere just so she could sleep. Thank you."
"No probs. Now listen, I'm sitting and until Buffy wakes up, I'm not moving so give me a book and I'll read, but I'm not moving for the world."
"Okay Dead boy, here you go."
Looking at his love Angel couldn't even glare. He just took the offered book and began to read. Xander walked up the stairs and into the stacks. He looked over to Cordelia.
"Did you find anything?" he asked.
She turned to face him.
"This book mentions the Judge, but nothing useful. Big, scary, no weapon forged can stop him, took an army to take him down. Blah, blah, blah."
Xander nodded.
"We need some insight, a weak spot."
"Well, we're not gonna find it here."
She put the book back on the shelf as Xander came over.
"Sorry I snapped at you before."
"Well, I'm reeling from that new experience."
" I was crazed. I wasn't thinking."
" I know. You were too busy rushing off to die for your beloved Buffy. You'd never die for me." Xander actually felt hurt but tried not to let it show.
"No, I might die from you. Does that get me any points?"
"No."
"Come on, can't we just kiss and make up?"
"I don't wanna make up."
Xander turned to go felling really rejected.
"But I'm okay with the other part."
Cordy smiled at him and Xander couldn't help but smile back. They start to kiss. After a few moments Cordelia giggled and smiled, as they pulled apart. Xander pulled back to see Willow standing behind them. Xander realised he had never seen her look so hurt and confused in all his life.
"Willow, uh..."
She ran off with Xander hot on her heals.
"We were just... Willow! Willow!"
They ran out of the library passing Angel on the way.
"Well that cat's out of the bag." He muttered.
He looked up to see Cordelia coming out of the stacks looking completely shocked. He offered her the box of doughnuts that was sitting next to him. She took one and sat down next to Angel. Out in the hall, Xander finally caught up with Willow.
"Willow, come on!"
She stopped and spun around to face him.
"I knew it! I knew it! Well, not 'knew it' in the sense of having the slightest idea, but I knew there was something I didn't know. You two were fighting way too much. It's not natural!"
"I know it's weird..." He replied coming up to her.
"Weird? It's against all laws of God and Man! It's Cordelia!" she spat the word. "Remember? The, the 'We Hate Cordelia' club, of which you are the treasurer."
"Look, I was gonna tell you."
"Gee, what stopped you? Could it be shame?"
"All right, let's overreact, shall we?"
"But I'm..."
"Willow, we were just kissing. It doesn't mean that much." He explained.
"No. It just means that you'd rather be with someone you hate than be with me."
She ran down the hall leaving Xander standing where he was. The implication of her words finally hit him and in a single moment he realised what had happened.
Ch. 5
About an hour later Willow was walking back toward the library when she ran into Xander. He grabbed her arm and gently turned her to him.
"Will."
She pulled her arm back and wrapped both of them around herself.
"Hey."
"Where'd you go?"
"Home." She stated
"I'm glad you came back. We can't do this without you." He admitted
"Let's get this straight." She looked her best friend in the eye. "I don't understand it, I don't wanna understand it, you have gross emotional problems, and things are not okay between us. But what's happening right now is more important than that."
"Okay."
Willow sighed
"What about the Judge? Where do we stand?"
Xander rolled his eyes
"On a pile of really boring books that say exactly the same thing."
Willow nodded.
"Lemme guess: 'no weapon forged.'"
Xander picked it up.
"'It took an army.'"
"Yeah, where's an army when you need one?"
She looked at Xander and his eyes widened.
"What?"
"Whoa. Whoa! I... I think I'm having a thought. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's a thought. Now I'm having a plan."
"What plan?"
They both turned to see Jenny walking up the hallway.
"To stop the Judge. Oh yeah, this is gonna be good. Library now."
They turned and hurried back to the library
Ch. 6
When the trio hit the library Willow and Xander started to walk more softly seeing buffy still asleep. Jenny saw the vampire and smiled.
Oh thank God.
Xander got Cordelia and Giles and they sat around the table. As they were going over Xanders plan Buffy whimpered and started trying to grab something. Angel automatically threw down the book. And the gang turned to see what was going on.
"Mosgail gràdh"
Buffy automatically calmed and opened her eyes. The others stared at Angel like he had grown a second head and although highly likely given their geographical location this was not the case.
"What did he just say?" Xander asked. "She calmed down immediately. And for that matter what did he call you earlier will."
"He called me Willow." She was obviously confused.
"No, no, no. Something starting with S."
"Oh, he called me Willow but in Gaelic. I don't know the language but my mum once told me my name in a few languages, Gaelic was one of them."
They all looked over at Buffy and angel who were whispering quietly.
"So what did he just say to her?"
The three teenagers at the table turned to Giles but it was Jenny who gave the answer.
"He said, 'Awake beloved.'"
Angel helped Buffy up and walked over to the table with her. To everyone's surprise she gave Jenny a big hug.
"Thank you."
Jenny looked up surprised.
"What did I do?"
"Well your uncle actually. Without that curse re-done I would not be as happy as I am now. I'm not sure what would have happened but I am sure it would have gone bad. So we both thank you."
"Your welcome Buffy. How did you know?"
"Slayers dreams can be a bitch."
"Okay." She looked around the table. "I'll tell later. Now Xanders come up with a good plan that might actually work."
"So what's the sitch?"
Xander looked up and gave willow a little grimace.
"I think, um... I think I may need Cordelia for this one.
Willow looked at the floor.
"And we may need wheels."
Cordy got up.
"Well, my car is..."
"It might have to be bigger."
Willow looked up.
"No problem. I'll get Oz. He has a van."
"Good." She looked at Cordy and let out a breath. "Okay."
"Care to let me in on the plan I'm a part of?"
"No."
"Why not?" she put her hands on her hips.
Xander spoke as if talking to a child
"Because if I tell you, then you won't do it. Just meet me at Willow's house in half an hour. And wear something trashy..." He looked her up and down, "er."
Cordelia watched him go in disbelief while Angel and Buffy were going red trying not to laugh.
Ch. 7
While the rest of the gang was doing 'Phase 1' as Xander called it Buffy and Angel went back to Buffy's house. Her mum would be out till the next day, which suited them fine. They went up to her room and Angel helped took off her coat.
"Angel?"
"Yes leannan."
"Will you teach me Gaelic? Just a little, I want to learn a language and French isn't doing it for me. I would love to be able to understand you and speak to you in your native tongue."
"As if I would deny you anything. Of course I'll teach you."
"Cool. Okay I'm tired but I want to know two words. I want to know what you keep calling me and I want to know your name, actually both of them."
"Both?"
"Your Gaelic name and your human name."
"Okay. I keep calling you 'sweetheart' or 'lover' you choose. Either way they're both correct."
Angel took a deep breath.
"My human name was Liam."
"That suits you so well. So what's 'Angel' in Gaelic?"
"Aingeal."
"That's beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you. Do you really want to sleep? You've had at least 3 hours already."
Buffy grinned slightly.
"But what could be more fun than sleeping?"
She gave a yelp as Angel picked her up and spun her around. He put her down on the bed and began to methodically remove her clothes. Nothing but a few choice sounds and some Gaelic could be heard for the rest of the night.
About an hour before dawn, Angel got up and put his clothes back on. He sat on a chair beside her bed just watching her sleep. He wrote her a note before climbing out the window. When she woke up the sun was well and truly risen. She noticed a letter next to her so she opened it and read.
'Leannan,
Good morning my love. Due to the sun I had to go but it doesn't mean that I want to. I'll see you later.
Love Aingeal.
Buffy smiled and got up to get ready for school. She walked into school and made her way to the computer science room. She walked in and up to Jenny who was talking to Giles.
"Hey Jenny. Listen, can we go and see your uncle?"
"Um sure, I kinda have class though. Can you wait a few minutes?"
Buffy turned to the class and glared.
"Leave now."
The class being filled with a lot of intelligent people looked at her and left. She turned apologetically to Jenny.
"Sorry but the longer we wait, the more people the judge will kill."
"Okay. Let's go."
They reached the apartment that Jenny's uncle was staying at and they went inside. They opened the door and saw a man sitting with his back to them.
"I knew she would bring you. I suppose you want answers."
"Not really. I know the answers." Buffy replied. "I just want to thank you for what you did. Angel and I will be able to be happy now and it's all thanks to you. I don't even want to imagine my life if Angel had gone evil. I love him with all my heart. So again thankyou."
"Your welcome. I do believe that vengeance is just, but I cannot punish you as well and I now believe that Angel should have some happiness in his life. After all Angel is not Angelus."
"No he's not."
Buffy looked at Giles and nodded that she was ready to go. They started walking out the door but Enyos held Giles back.
"You keep my Janna happy or you will be next in line for some vengeance."
"Don't worry sir. I promise to keep her happy and safe."
"Good."
Back at the library Buffy, Giles and Jenny saw the gang including Oz leaning over a wooden crate. They looked up as she came over to them. She stood next to Angel who put his arms around her. Xander opened the crate and everyone peered in.
"Happy Birthday, Buffy. I hope you like the colour."
"Giles, we go to the factory first, but they might not be there. They're on the offensive. We need to figure out where they'd go."
"Agreed."
Buffy looked into the box.
"This is good."
Ch. 8
At he factory, Spike was pacing back and forth in his chair while waiting to go. The Judge slowly came over to him.
"I am ready."
"About time."
He turned to face Drucilla. She sat on his lap and kissed him.
"Lets have some fun."
They walked out the door.
About ten minutes later The Scooby gang arrived at the factory. Buffy looked around in defeat.
"I knew it."
Giles looked at her.
"We haven't a bead on where they would go?"
"I don't know," Angel went up behind her and started to massage her shoulders, "uh... somewhere crowded, I guess. I mean the Judge needs bodies, right?"
"The Bronze?" Willow asked hopefully
"It's closed tonight." Xander replied
"There's not a lot of choices in Sunnydale. It's not like people are gonna line up to get massacred."
Buffy silently admitted that her tactless friend had a point.
"Uh, guys?" Everyone looked at Oz. "If I were gonna line up, I know where I'd go."
Buffy didn't know how they didn't get pulled over getting to the mall. She and Angel had gone in Angel's car and the gang had followed in Oz's van, breaking a ton of laws along the way. They took the elevator to the main floor. Her and Angel were in the lead with Oz and Xander carrying the crate. Willow, Giles Cordelia and Jenny were holding crossbows and stakes.
"Everybody keep back. Damage control only. Take out any lesser vamps if you can. I'll handle the Smurf."
They watched the Judge begin to take energy from the shoppers. Buffy took a crossbow from Angel and kissed him as she got up on a service counter. She heard Drucilla say 'Oh goody.' Just before she fired. The bolt hit the Judge in the chest and the lines of energy disappeared leaving some very confused shoppers. The Judge took the bolt from his chest and looked around.
"Who dares?"
Spike and Dru looked around, their eyes finally focusing on the slayer
"Think I got his attention." Buffy stated. The judge smirked.
"You're a fool. No weapon forged can stop me."
Buffy looks at Angel and hands him the bow.
" That was then."
She looked at Xander who smiled as he handed her the weapon. She raised the rocket launcher to her shoulder.
"This is now."
She turned it on and watched as Drucilla launched herself over the railing while Spike rolled unsuccessfully down the stairs. Buffy waited while the gang took cover and was surprised as Angel got up behind her.
"What's that do?"
Famous last words, Buffy thought.
She pulled the trigger and the rocket flew straight at the Judge, blowing him into oblivion. The people in the mall panicked and ran for the nearest exit, as did Drucilla carrying Spike and a henchman carrying Spikes chair. Buffy handed Xander the rocket launcher and he re packed it.
"Let's keep this for future use. It was the best present ever. " She exclaimed. She looked up at angel with a grin. "Except one," she whispered.
"Knew you'd like it."
Xander replied not hearing the two lovers exchange. Willow on the other hand did and her eyes widened in surprise.
She pulled Buffy slightly away from the group. "Details later."
Buffy grinned. "What details?" she asked. Willow hit her on the arm and buffy nodded.
"Do you think he's dead?" Willow asked in a louder voice.
Buffy looked around.
"We can't be sure. Pick up the pieces and keep them separate."
Everyone went round to begin the gruesome task. Only Cordy expressed her opinion.
"Pieces? We get the pieces. Our job sucks!"
Out of the entire job only Ox found an actual still intact part. An arm.
Ch. 9
Buffy, Giles and Angel sent the gang home for some much needed and well earned sleep. They went to the Sunnydale funeral home and incinerated the pieces. Taking the ashes, the three of them stood on different parts of the beach and poured them into the water. Giles offered Buffy a lift home but she declined in favour of Angel. They said good night and headed in different directions. Outside Buffy's place Angel took her in his arms.
"You were wonderful tonight leannan."
"We were all wonderful. I couldn't have done it without any of you. I'm still recovering from the fact that Xander came up with that plan."
"I know. Will wonders never cease?"
"I personally think that it was a wonder that Jenny's uncle managed to do that curse at the exact right time."
"I'm glad he did leannan. But now I can't be with you because your moms home."
"That's what windows are for my love. Plus mom is away a lot because of work so that's a plus. I never thought I'd hear myself say that."
"Don't worry honey, I'll always be here for you. I can feel if you are lonely so if you are at any time day or night I promise I'll be there. Or if I can't stand the thought of not seeing you for another second."
"And there will be times that we can be together. Willow's figured it out so I have at least one alibi."
They kissed goodnight and he drove off wishing her a happy birthday as he did. Buffy went inside and greeted her mom. She bought a cupcake into the living room and they sat back to watch a movie.
"So what'd you do for your birthday? Did you have fun?"
Joyce looked down at her daughter who couldn't help but smile, thinking of exactly how much fun she had"
"I got older." She said cheerily.
Joyce looked at buffy and rolled her eyes.
"You look the same to me."
Joyce lent forward and light the solitary candle.
"Happy Birthday." She smiled. "I don't have to sing, do I?"
Buffy looked at her. "No.".
Joyce pointed to the cake. "Well, go on, make a wish."
Buffy looked at it and smiled. "I have everything I want. At this moment my life is perfect."
She lay down with her head in her moms lap and fell asleep with a smile on her face.
The End...Or is it?