Passion
Disclaimer: Joss, Mutant Enemy, Fox, UPN, everyone in the credits.
Rating: M
Spoilers: everything up 2 this and my other fics :)
Feedback: Sure. But be gentle :)
AN: I had a hard time writing this one because of the whole Angelus thing. I hope it's OK. I put Angelus's little voice over in coz I think it's cool.
AN2: Okay, Chapter 2 has been running around in my head for ages. You may recall that we don't actually know what happened when Angelus drew Buffy. It was implied that that was all he did but… Any who, I saw the opportunity to get the idea out of my head and I took it.
Ch. 1
Passion. It lies in all of us.
Sleeping, waiting,
And though unwanted…unbidden
It will stir, open it's jaws and howl
It speaks to us, guides us
Passion rules us all, and we obey
What other choice do we have?
- Angelus
Buffy smiled at Xander as they danced. 'Bronze Night' had become a tradition since her birthday. The one night when she didn't slay she just spent time with her friends. Angel had told her how important it was to spend time just with your friends. So every Monday night he did the slaying thing so that Buffy could cut loose.
"I think I'm in trouble."
"What are you talking about Xand?"
"Cordy and Willow are spending way to much time together."
"Hey you never know, it could be a good thing.'
"When did something good happen in Sunnydale?"
"Oh I could think of a few times" she smirked.
Xander visibly shuddered and Buffy laughed.
"Sorry Xand. I couldn't pass up an opportunity like that."
"Next time please try and Pass. In fact feel free to fly right by."
Buffy laughed and continued dancing. She began to move a little more sensually, not sexy dance with Xander sensually but just enough to give Angel a show.
How many times do I have to tell him I can sense when he's around?
Angel watched her dance.
She knows I'm here.
He smiled and watched hungrily as she moved to the music. As the song ended he left so she could enjoy her time with her friends.
Buffy continued dancing while Xander went back to the table. He sat and stared until Cordelia hit him.
"Girlfriend right here."
"Oh. Yeah. Sorry."
"Angel must be here." Willow noted.
"How can you tell?" Xander asked
"The last time she danced like that she was trying to make him jealous."
"Well it worked. At least she wasn't possessed."
Willow smiled at him.
"I wonder where he is then." Cordy mused
As she said this Buffy came up to the table and Willow handed her a bottle of water.
"Where's Angel?" Cordelia asked.
"He was over there." Buffy pointed toward the door, "He left just as the song was ending."
"Told you." Willow smiled at Xander.
"Okay. Hey are you guys done? I'm tired."
Everyone nodded in agreement. The gathered their stuff and headed out the door. Buffy and Willow together with Cordelia and Xander following.
Ch. 2
After making sure that everyone got home safely, Buffy climbed through her window and began to get ready for bed. She looked out the window one final time before heading to the closet.
Angel watched as she got changed. He climbed the tree as Buffy got into Bed. Angel watched as she set her clock then turned off the light. After a few minutes she fell asleep with a smile on her face. Angel couldn't help but smile in return. To him nothing was more beautiful than Buffy asleep.
Nothing except her moving underneath me in ecstasy. he amended.
He made sure she was asleep before silently climbing in her window. He sat very carefully on the edge of her bed making sure not to wake her. Making sure Buffy was defiantly asleep; he pushed a few strands of hair off her face so that the moon could shine directly on her with no barriers.
Angel kissed her lips very slightly; grinning when her breathing quickened. Knowing that he was the only being on earth that could cause that reaction in her filled him with a sense of pride. He sat back a little on the chair next to her bed and pulled out a sketch pad and a piece of charcoal. He began sketching Buffy in as much detail as possible. After 30 minutes Angel was putting the finishing touches on the drawing when he heard her moan.
"Angel."
He looked up quickly only to see Buffy still sound asleep.
She's only dreaming. I wonder what about?
Angel sat back and watched in amazement. Buffy started to stretch and arch her back just as he had seen her do so many times before. She grabbed the sheets and held onto them for dear life as she started moving uncontrollably.
"Oh. Angel. There. Right there. Yesssssss."
Angel's eyes bulged as he watched his love moaning in abandon.
"Angel."
Buffy cried out one final time as she climaxed. Angel had a hard time keeping control a he watched. He couldn't believe what he had just witnessed.
"I never knew that was possible." He whispered to the room
He went over to Buffy and gave her one last kiss, placing the picture on the bed next to her. He climbed out the window blowing a kiss to the room and melted into the night.
Ch. 3
In the morning Buffy woke up and saw the envelope next to her bed. Frowning she sat up and opened it. On seeing the picture Buffy smiled and kissed the little A on the right hand corner of the page. As the memory of her dream came back to her she blushed.
Oh God. What if he was here then.
Buffy tried to push the thought to the back of her mind but completely failed.
When she got to school she went straight to the library.
"He was in my room." Buffy told Giles as soon as she swung the door open.
"Who?" Giles asked looking up.
"Angel. He was in my room last night."
"But isn't that normally ok?" Giles asked coming around from the counter.
Buffy sat at the table with Xander and Cordy.
"Normally it's perfect and he did leave me the sweetest gift but still. When a girl sleeps she should be left alone."
"I actually agree."
Everyone stared at Cordelia.
"What? Sometimes a girls dream is very personal. Believe me. My mom walked in on me one night. I still can't look her in the eye properly."
"Exactly."
"So what did you dream about?" Xander asked leaning across the table.
Cordy smacked his arm while Buffy and Giles turned a slight shade of pink. Xander frowned at her then turned back to Buffy.
"OK. So what did he give you?"
"XANDER!" Cordy shouted.
"I mean the gift he left you."
Cordy shook her head as Buffy produced the drawing.
"Wow this is really good." Cordy claimed.
"Yes I do admit it is quite well drawn. I didn't know Angel could draw. It has never been mentioned before in any book."
"Yeah but who cares if the most feared vamp in the world can draw. Wouldn't you be more worried about his teeth?"
"It's just an interesting fact Xander. The Watchers Counc…"
"Hello!" Xander jumped up from his chair.
Everyone looked behind them and saw Jonathan behind them
"Excuse me, but have you ever heard of knocking?" Xander queried.
"We're supposed to get some books. On Stalin." Jonathan stated
"Does this look like a Barnes & Noble?" Xander asked pointing.
"This is a school library, Xander." Giles reminded him
"Since when?" Xander asked semi-seriously. Giles turned back to Jonathan
"Uh, y-yes, yes, uh, third row. Historical biographies.
"Thanks."
Jonathan and the girl walked past the table, up the stairs and into the stack. The others headed out of the library and into the hall before Jonathan could come back. Xander and Cordy led the way with Buffy and Giles following.
"Angel loves you with a passion. He would never do anything to upset or embarrass you."
"Except sneaking around while you're sleeping. It's actually kinda weird." Cordelia looked back at Buffy
"Actually it's kinda a turn on." Buffy muttered back to her.
Giles went very pink and Cordy could see the wheels turning in Xander's head.
"Don't get any ideas mister."
"Of course not." He smiled at her then turned to Buffy. "Does your mom know about Angel yet?"
"No but I'm gonna have to tell her something. The truth maybe?"
"Oh that would be a cheery conversation." Cordelia said sarcastically. "Hey mom how are you today? That's great. What? Who's the guy with me? Oh that's my 242 year old boy friend. Looks great doesn't he. Yeah it kind of happens when you don't have a pulse."
"Not that much truth Cordy. To much info is a bad thing."
"Yeah. The more people who know the secret, the more it cheapens it for the rest of us."
"But I've gotta tell her something. Angel has an all-access pass to my house, and I'm not always there when my mother is."
"Buffy, I-I understand your concern, but it's imperative that you keep a level head when you tell her."
"That's easy for you to say."
"I know how hard this is for you." Buffy gave him a look. "All right, I don't. But as the Slayer, you don't have the luxury of being a slave to your, your passions." Giles chided
"Spoil my fun. I'll think of something." She sighed.
Xander and Cordy headed off to class and Buffy and Giles headed down the hall to Jenny's class room. They waited outside the room till the class was over.
"Don't forget, I need your sample spreadsheets by the end of the week." Jenny told the class as the bell rang "Oh, and I want both a paper printout and a copy on disk. Thank you."
She looked at her desk before grabbing Willows attention.
"Willow."
"Yes?"
"Um, I might be a little late tomorrow. Do you think you could cover my class till I show?
"Really? Me? Teach the class? Sure!"
"Cool."
"Oh, wait. W-what if they don't recognize my authority? What if they try to convince me that you always let them leave class early? What if there's a fire drill? What if there's a fire?"
"You're gonna be fine. And I'll try not to be too late, okay?"
"Okay. Good. Earlier is good. Will I have the power to assign detention? Or make 'em run laps?"
Buffy and Giles looked at each other and Buffy interrupted Her best friend..
"Hey, Will."
Jenny and Willow looked up.
"Hi Buffy, Rupert." Jenny said brightly.
Giles smiled.
"Good morning Jenny, Willow"
"Hey guys." Buffy added, "Willow, I thought I might take in a class. Figured I could use someone who knows where they are."
Giles and Jenny gave a small laugh at Buffy's comment before just staring at each other. Willow glanced over at Giles and Jenny and rolled her eyes and before walking out of the room.
"Do you think they will finally get together?" Willow quietly asked Buffy.
"I hope so. I might have a few words with Jenny though. You know, speed up the process."
"Good idea."
"So what class do I have now Wills?"
"History."
"Krap. What time period?"
Willow smiled at her.
"Ireland in the 1700's"
"Ooo, Angel period."
"Knew you'd like it."
Giles watched the girls go before stepping into the classroom.
"How have you been?" Jenny asked
"Pretty good considering. Uh, since The Judge, I've been getting terribly worried about Spike and Drucilla. We've hardly heard anything from them at all."
"Well, that sounds bad." Jenny crossed her arms.
"I'm just worried about what might happen next. Because Joyce doesn't know, I'm worried Drucilla or Spike could trick her into an invitation. It's happened before with Darla."
"This might help. I've been doing a little reading since Spike came to town. I don't think you have that one."
"Thank you." Giles said absentmindedly.
"So, how's Buffy doing?"
"How do you think?" Giles asked looking up.
"Like she's on cloud 9. Does Joyce know about Angel?"
"No."
"When do you think she'll find out?"
"When Buffy tells her. I kind of wish you had told me Jenny."
"Rupert... I was raised by the people that Angel hurt the most. My duty to them was the first thing I was ever taught. I didn't come here to hurt anyone. That's why I got my uncle to re-do the curse. I never want to hurt Buffy or Angel. Or you. A-and I lied to you because I thought it was the right thing to do. I didn't know I was gonna fall in love with you. I'm sorry."
She loves me?
"Jenny I don't blame you. If anything I thank you. For the longest time I thought that the only thing I wanted was to see Buffy smile. She's a girl who has had her youth taken away and had it replaced by the wait of the world. You and your uncle have given her happiness. Every time I see her now she's smiling because of Angel. So thank you. Also for the book."
"My pleasure."
Giles smiled and turned to go back to the library. Jenny watched him go before turning and shutting the door behind her.
Ch. 4
That night as Buffy was eating dinner, she kept going over in her head the best way to tell her mum about Angel. Joyce watched her daughter play with her food for nearly 20 minutes before putting down her fork and leaning across the table toward her.
"Okay. What's wrong?"
Buffy looked at her mum before looking back at her plate.
"It's nothing."
"Come on. You can tell me anything. I've read all the parenting books. You cannot surprise me."
Buffy put down her fork and put her hands in her lap and before looking over at her mother.
"Do you remember that guy Angel?" She asked with a small smile
"Angel, the, um...the college boy who was tutoring you in history?
"Right. Uh, he... I-I..." She looked down and giggled, "Oh, God. Um...We're sort of dating. Have been for a while."
"And I haven't heard about this why?"
"Angels a little different mum. He has a very rare condition. Well not so rare in Sunnydale, just a little weird.'
"In what way?"
"Angel is allergic to sunlight. Literally. He's not allowed outside during the day. Sunlight's fatal to him."
"You're kidding me?" Joyce had a smile on her face. Buffy looked at her mum with a serious look on her face.
"No mum I'm not. I thought that you should know that I have a boyfriend with this condition so that if you see him around the house at night. You won't get scared."
"Well thank you for trusting me enough to tell me about him. Why don't you invite him for dinner one night soon? I want to meet him."
"Um sure. I'll ask him tomorrow."
Buffy began to eat her dinner again comforted by the knowledge that her mum was so supportive of her relationship with Angel.
Can't wait to see how she reacts when she finds out his age. Buffy actually smiled at the thought.
After dinner, Buffy phoned Willow to tell her about the conversation with her mum.
"See Buffy. I knew there was nothing to worry about."
"Well I'll be saying the same thing when you tell your mum about you and Oz."
"Oh no. I'm so not ready to go there yet. I mean, you and Angel have …well you know. But me and Oz. we're lucky to have even kissed."
"Yeah well the whole "I slept with my boyfriend" conversation is for another day."
"How did your mum go with the whole Vampire thing?"
"What vampire thing. Angel has a fatal attraction to sunlight. His is a very rare case."
"And she bought it."
"Well she seemed to. Angels gotta come around for dinner though."
"Well that should be fun. I gotta go. Class to teach tomorrow and all."
"Okay Wills. See ya later."
When Buffy hung up she couldn't help but smile.
"That smile wouldn't be for me would it?"
Buffy spun around.
"Angel. Don't you know not to scare a slayer?"
"Sorry." He walked over. "I had to see you. It's been ages since I saw you this close."
"You mean this close while I was awake don't you."
"Did you like your picture?"
"Yes. But I have to ask something. Was I having a dream while you were here last night?"
Angel saw her shyness and realized that she was a little bit embarrassed. He decided to calm her down.
"No. You were sound asleep. You look beautiful by the way when you're asleep."
"Way to boost a girls ego."
"Hmm. It's the truth."
"Speaking of telling the truth,"
"You told your mum about us."
"Yeah."
"Good. I didn't think that it was healthy to keep it from her."
"You have to come to dinner tomorrow."
"What. No Sunday picnic."
Buffy laughed.
"But Angel, your fatal reaction to sunlight may be a problem. After all it is an incurable disease. My mum seemed to buy it."
"Well this could get interesting. Your mum scares me."
"She scares most people. Don't worry. I'll be right there with you. I'll try and have really rare lamb or something for dinner okay."
"Thanks babe."
"You know Angel; you should stop by the school again sometime. The gang hasn't seen you in ages."
"I know. I sent Willow a little something just as a present to say hi and stuff."
"What did you give her?"
At that moment the phone rang. Buffy looked at Angel who raised an eyebrow. Buffy picked up.
"Buffy." Willow said in an excited whisper
"Hey Wills."
"Angel bought me some new fish for my tank."
"Yeah he told me he got you something."
Buffy handed the phone to Angel
"Hey Willow."
"Angel, thank you."
"Hey, it's no problem. It's to say thank you."
"For what?"
"Being best friends with the love of my life."
Buffy smiled.
"It's no problem Angel. Thank you."
"Your welcome."
Angel hung up and turned to Buffy.
"Are you okay with me getting Willow a gift?"
"Sure. Plus, I know that you can always give me a better gift."
"Hmm. I wonder what that is." Angel murmured before proceeding to kiss her senseless
Ch. 5
In the warehouse, Drucilla placed 'Sunshine' in Spikes lap. He stroked the puppy's fur absent mindedly.
"Please Spike. You need to eat. Or else you will whither."
"Dru I'm not hungry. Plus even if I was, I wouldn't want a puppy."
"Spike I know that you're upset but not eating is hurtful."
"Angelus was meant to return. It was PROPHESISED!"
Spike yelled and threw a cup off the table that was next to him. Sunshine yelped and ran into a corner.
"I want to know what happened."
"And we will pet. We'll ask a friend."
Spike looked at Drucilla and watched as the wheels started to turn in her head.
At School the next day, Buffy walked over to Jenny who was on her way to class.
"Hey." Buffy smiled
"Hi." Jenny replied
Buffy looked away not quite sure where to begin.
"Uh, is there something that... Did you want something?" Jenny prodded.
Buffy sighed and decide to bite the bullet.
"Look... I know you have very strong emotions where Giles is concerned. And believe me, he feels them to. Um…"
Jenny looked at her expectantly.
"Good. Keep it up." Buffy finished
Jenny smiled
"Don't worry, I will."
"Oh, wait." Buffy held up her hand, "Um...He loves you. He doesn't say anything, I mean, but I know he does. And I don't want him to be lonely. I don't want anyone to."
"Buffy, you know that if I have a chance I'll make something of it but he's so..."
"British."
"Exactly."
Buffy smiled in understanding.
"So ask him if he would like some tea and scones. They're probably a turn on for him."
She walked away and Jenny watched her go with a smile that lit up her face.
She is the strangest girl.
Buffy was heading toward the library when she saw Giles in the student lounge. She walked over to him as he handed a group of students some flyers. He looked up as she came over.
"Buffy. So, uh, so how was your night?"
"No Human fatalities" she exclaimed brightly
"I-I found a ritual to revoke the invitation to vampires. Just in case Spike or Drucilla manages to gain an invitation."
Cordelia had walked up to them as Giles said this
"Oh, thank goodness. I actually had to talk my grandmother into switching cars with me last night."
"Why? You haven't had a vampire in you car have you?" Buffy asked.
"I had a dream that he and his vamp buddies made me drive them everywhere. I wanted a car that didn't look like mine."
"Um, the-the-the, uh, the ritual's fairly basic, actually. It's just the recitation of a few rhyming couplets, burning of, uh, moss herbs, sprinkling of holy water..."Giles told them as they started toward the library
"All stuff I have in my house." Buffy commented
"Hanging of crosses..." Giles continued
"Hmm, let's get Willow to do the spell on Cordelia's car." Buffy told Giles
"Thank God!" Cordelia muttered
"Yes. But I think that for now you had better go to class. Principal Snyder will be after you again if you don't."
Buffy sighed and headed down the corridor toward the math's room with Cordelia a few steps behind.
Ch. 6
That night, Buffy and Willow were walking to Buffy's after doing the spell on Cordelia's car when she noticed her mum pull into the drive
She shouldn't be home yet. It's too early.
Buffy walked a little faster till she saw Angel come round the back of the car and start to help Joyce with the groceries. Buffy slowed down and smiled as she watched Angel be the perfect gentleman. Suddenly Joyce ran into the house and slammed the door in Angels face. Buffy watched in horror as Angel slumped his shoulders in defeat and walked away.
"What on earth?" Willow asked.
They ran up to the house and went inside. Buffy found Joyce standing in the kitchen with a very angry expression on her face. Willow pulled up just short of running into the back of Buffy.
"Mum, what's going on?"
"What's going on? What's going on? I want to know EXACTLY what the relationship is between you and your BOYFRIEND!"
"Um I'll wait in the other room."
Willow quickly back peddled leaving Buffy to face her biggest battle ever. Buffy tried to look her mother in the eye but failed.
"What do you mean?"
"What do you mean what do I mean? You and that, that Angel character."
"Mum we're going out. I told you that."
"Have you had sex?" Joyce asked in a low and dangerous voice.
"Mum can we take this upstairs?"
Without waiting for a reply Buffy turned and walked upstairs knowing the Joyce was following. Once in her room Buffy sat on the bed and waited for Joyce to start yelling again.
At the school, Jenny was working on her computer. She watched as a translation was pulled up on the screen. Jenny smiled
"Let's hope I never have to use this."
She popped a yellow floppy disc out of the computer and placed it next to some books. Jenny then printed out the translation. She moved her chair over to the printer and watched it print. She looked up and gave a little yelp. Drucilla was watching her from the doorway.
"How did you get in here?"
"Any one can come in here. It's a public place. You know that."
"What do you want?"
Jenny got up and started to back away from Drucilla.
"I need to know. It's because of you that my Angel is all wrong. He should not be good. It's not in his nature."
"Look I didn't do the spell. I didn't know, I swear I didn't know."
"Oh but I know you did. It was your family that killed Angelus. He died and a monster took his place. It's unforgivable"
Jenny felt around for the door handle.
"And then today you went to the evil shop. I want to know what you did. How else will you try and ruin my family?"
"Nothing. I mean I didn't get anything."
"What's this?"
Drucilla swept across the room and picked up a glass object.
"The orb of Thesulah. This is what you bought. Why? Why do you try to harm me? This took Angelus away from me. HOW DARE YOU!" She shouted while throwing the orb at Jenny
Jenny jumped and ran out the door as she heard the tinkle of broken glass.
"No little mouse. You will not find the cheese. The Kitty is coming."
Drucilla ran past the computer snatching up the printout and pushing the computer to the floor. She ran out the door after Jenny.
Drucilla chased Jenny all around the school. Jenny tried all the doors she could think of. Finally she remembered the door that lead out of the building from the library. After what had happened with Giles friend and Eygon, Gils had taken to keeping that door unlocked. She ran up the stairs as quickly as possible knowing that Drucilla was only a few meters behind her. To verify her thoughts Jenny glanced behind her relieved to find no one there. She turned back around and ran straight into her nightmare.
"Oh the little mouse is caught in a trap. Free for the kitty to take a bite."
Jenny's eyes widened in fear.
"That's right my pet, you squeal. Maybe someone will hear."
Drucilla leant down and bit Jenny.
"No." Jenny said softly as her heart slowed.
Drucilla bought her head up and laughed.
"Oh I was wrong. There is no one around to hear you squeal."
With that Drucilla bit down more forcefully and drained the last bit of blood from jenny's limp form. When she was finished she dropped the body to the floor and licked her lips.
"And the mouse squeals no more."
Ch. 7
Up in her room, Buffy was sitting on the bed watching her mum pace back and forth.
"Was he the first?"
"yeah. He was the first, I mean the only."
"He's older than you."
Buffy gave a small smile.
"I know."
"Too old, Buffy. I really wish...I just thought you would show more judgment."
"Excuse me? What did he say to you?"
"At first he was being all sweet, helping me with the shopping. Then he started to talk about you and he got this look in his eyes, almost as if he was thinking of some distant memory. He was so caught up in his day dream that he didn't realize that he had slipped that you were great in bed into you many assets."
Buffy gave a small grin.
"Which leads me to believe that you two have been together more than once?"
Buffy's grin faltered.
"Are you in love with him?"
"I am."
"Were you careful?"
"Mom, this is no time..."
"Don't 'Mom' me, Buffy. You don't get to get out of this. You had sexwith thisboy. "
"No I didn't."
"But you just told me…"
"We didn't have sex. We made love."
"Like there's a difference."
"There is a difference. Angel didn't want to at first. You may not believe that but it's the truth. He told me to stop but I didn't want to. Let me tell you, if I could do it all again, I wouldn't change a thing. Every time that we have been together has been amazing. I love him so much. Nothing will change that."
"Yeah, well, don't just say that to shut me up."
"I-I can't tell you everything."
"How about anything? Buffy, you can shut me out of your life, I am pretty much used to that. But don't expect me to ever stop caring about you, because it's never gonna happen. I love you more than anything in the world. That would be your cue to, uh, roll your eyes and tell me I'm grossing you out."
"You're not." Buffy said quietly.
"Oh, well...I guess that was the talk."
"So how'd it go?"
They looked at each other.
"I don't know. It was my first."
Buffy smiled then slapped her forhead.
"Oh my God I forgot about Willow."
With that they both took off down the stairs. They found Willow sitting on the couch watching tv. When she saw them she jumped up and turned the tv off.
"Oh um Giles was here then he left. Um now it's my turn to do the leaving thing. School tomorrow and all."
"Willow its Friday."
"Oh yeah, um homework I have homework."
"Willow its okay. Mum and I are cool."
"Really?" Willow asked hopefully."
"Yeah."
"Oh good."
Willow began to talk to Joyce and Buffy went over to look out the window. The now familiar tug in her stomach told her that Angel was out there but she didn't know where. She shut her eyes so that she could become a little more adjusted to darkness and then she looked again. She saw him watching her from across the street.
Willow, had noticed her friends lack of input into the conversation and turned to see what Buffy was doing.
"Buffy what's up?"
Buffy turned to Joyce.
"Hey mum is it okay if Angel can come in and meet you properly?"
"Um yeah okay, where is he?"
"Behind the tree in the Lillyfields' yard."
"How do you know?"
"I always know." Buffy told her cryptically as she beckoned for Angel to come in.
A minute later Angel walked in. He bowed slightly at Joyce. Buffy and Willow giggled.
"Mum this is Angel, Angel my mum."
"Mrs. Summers. I'm pleased to meet you."
"Likewise. Would you please sit."
"Krap." Buffy muttered to Willow."
"How old are you?" Joyce asked.
Buffy and Willow looked at each other than at Angel wanting to know what he would say.
"24 Ma'am."
"What do you do?"
"Well I don't really do much. I occasionally help Mr. Giles out in the school library and I know a bit of History and Art. And I have a great amount of knowledge on things like mythology and legends."
"Interesting. And what do your family do?"
Buffy got up and sat next to Angel taking his hand in hers.
"They were killed Ma'am. Murdered."
"Oh my God." Do you know who did it?"
"Yes Ma'am I do. I was away at the time. I have always felt responsible for their deaths."
"Why?"
"I wasn't there. My soul of all my families wasn't there at the time of their deaths and I know it should have been."
Buffy wrapped her arms around Angel and held him tight. Joyce was shaking her head trying to take in everything she had heard."
"I'm sorry I asked."
"It's okay ma'am. You didn't know."
"What's your favorite ice cream?"
Everybody looked at Willow.
"Well I was trying to lighten the mood and I know that ice-cream is good for that sort of thing."
Angel and Buffy laughed.
"Strawberry."
"Have you ever tried cookie dough fudge mint chip?"
"No." Angel said.
"Then you haven't tried ice-cream."
"It's her favorite flavor. I'm not sure why." Joyce told Angel.
Angel smiled at Buffy who just shrugged in response. As she did this the phone rang.
"I'll get it." Buffy said jumping up.
She ran into the kitchen and picked up the phone.
Passion is the source of our finest moments.
The joy of love
The clarity of hatred
And the ecstasy of grief
"Hello. Giles, hey! You were here earlier what did you…. What?
"Buffy it's Jenny. She's been killed."
At the mention of Giles name Willow and Angel came into the kitchen. Joyce was right behind them. Angel watched the color drain from Buffy's face and know something had happened.
Willow took the phone out of Buffy's limp hand as Buffy began to slide down the wall. Angel ran over to her and took hold of her shoulders.
"Buffy what is it?"
"Giles?" Willow asked.
"Willow. She's dead. Drucilla killed her. Jenny's dead."
"What? No! Noooo!"
She dropped the phone and Angel picked it up. Joyce was looking on "
"Giles its Angel. What's happened?"
"Angel. Take care of the girls. Especially Buffy. She's going to take all the blame."
"Giles what is going on?"
"It's Jenny. Drucilla has killed her."
"Giles don't do anything; we'll get the others and be right over. Don't do anything stupid okay. These people need you just as much as you need them."
"Just look after her."
With that Giles hung up. Angel crouched down in front of Buffy and took her in his arms.
"Baby. It's alright. We'll find her. I promise you that. She won't get away with this. I'm so sorry my love."
"If it wasn't for her you wouldn't be here."
"I know sweetie I know."
Joyce held Willow as Angel told her what had happened.
"One of Buffy's teachers was killed. It was Mr. Giles girlfriend. She was one of our friends. Do you mind if I make a phone call?"
"No go ahead."
Angel picked up the phone and dialed Xanders number."
"Xander its Angel. Listen to me, can you get Cordy and come over to Buffy's? Something's happened."
Ch. 8
About 40 minutes later Xander Cordelia pulled up and Xander got out. They had gone to the police station on Angels instructions just in case he was still there.
"Where's Giles?" Buffy asked
"No luck. By the time we got to the station, the cops said he'd already left. I guess they just wanted to ask him some questions." Xander told her
"Cordelia, will you drive us to Giles' house?"
"Of course."
"But don't you think he wants to be left alone?" Willow asked.
"I'm not worrying about what he wants. I'm worried about what he's gonna do." Buffy told her
"Yeah he didn't seem all that together on the phone and I don't blame him. Maybe we can get to his apartment before he takes off."
Xander nodded at Angel and everyone piled in the car.
The ride to Giles was the longest any of them had ever experienced. Each was going over what the scene may have been like for Giles.
When they reached the apartment Xander went in first followed by Buffy and Angel with Cordelia and Willow coming last.
Xander pushed open the door
"Hello? Giles?"
Inside they found a scene that didn't resemble anything that they had conjured in their minds. Everything looked completely normal.
"This can't be right. Maybe she wasn't murdered here."
"No she wasn't murdered here. I would be able to tell is she was. There's no smell of blood. But she was here. Not inside because Drucilla didn't have an invitation."
"So where?" Cordelia asked
Buffy picked up a piece of paper
"In the garden." Buffy told them.
They ran through the house to the back garden and opened the door. Because of the floodlight the police had set up they were able to see everything.
"Wow." Exclaimed Xander as he held Cordelia. Willow looked around in amazement while Buffy and Angel walked around the garden.
There were candles everywhere, and when Angel looked closely he saw that they spelt out 'I Love You'. Rose petals covered the path and a table in the middle of the yard held a two glasses and a bottle of red wine. There was police tape around the table area.
"I guess Giles had a big night planned tonight." Xander told them.
Buffy gave him the drawing that she had found in the apartment.
"Giles didn't set this up. Drucilla did. This is the wrapping for the gift."
"Oh, man. Poor Giles."
Angel went up to the wine bottle and poured a little. Everyone watched as he drank it and immediately spat it out.
"Blood. Jenny's blood."
Willow gave a small scream.
"How do you know?" Cordelia asked.
"Because the blood of Jenny's family runs in her veins. Gypsy blood. I'll never forget the taste of her family."
With that the gang went back inside the house. Willow went to the weapons chest.
"Look, all his weapons are gone."
Buffy ran upstairs
"But I thought he kept his weapons at the library."
"No, those are his, uh, everyday weapons. These were his good weapons. The ones he, uh, breaks out when company comes to visit."
Buffy came back downstairs.
"So he's not here." Willow questioned
"Well, then where is he?" Cordelia asked
"He'll go to wherever Drucilla is." Buffy told them.
"That means the factory, right?" Willow quired
"So Giles is gonna try to kill Drucilla then?"
"Well, it's about time somebody did."
"I agree." Angel told them. "Since Buffy's birthday, she has tried to kill all of us for what Jenny's uncle did. Now she's succeeded in killing the one person that has never done anything wrong."
"And if Giles wants to go after the, uh, fiend that murdered his girlfriend, I say, 'Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!'." Xander told them
"You're right." Buffy nodded
"Thank you." Xander told her
"There's only one thing wrong with Giles' little revenge scenario."
"And what's that?"
"It's gonna get him killed." Buffy stated.
You're right." Angel told her. "Drucilla is strong."
"We gotta get to the factory. Now." Xander told them
With that they filed out the door and headed across town to where Giles undoubtedly was.
Inside the warehouse Spike watched Drucilla dance as he tried to make sense of what she had done.
"Are you insane! Wrong question. Why didn't you just kill the bitch?"
"Oh but this was so much fun. She was all sweet and pretty. Plus the bad teacher helped save Angels soul."
"I know sweetheart. And I love a good slaughter as much as the next bloke, but this little prank will only leave us with one incredibly brassed-off Slayer!"
"Don't worry. I've got everything under control."
Just as he said this a Molotov cocktail swooshed in and burst on the table, setting it ablaze. Drusilla ran away from it with Spike wheeling right behind her. They stopped out of reach of the flames. Giles smashed through the door and Walked toward Drucilla with a flaming baseball bat. He smashed Drucilla in the face and she went flying backwards into Spike.
"Now that's not playing fair is it?"
Drucilla picked up a steel pipe and began to swing at Giles. She connected with Giles side and he went spinning to the floor. Giles rolled over and got up still swing the bat in Drucilla's face. He hit her across the head twice before she managed to get him again. Sh grabbed him by the throat and lifted him high off the ground.
"Now why can't you play nice? She did. We played hide and seek and then we played tag. I won that game. We could play as well."
Drucilla went in for the kill but was hit from behind and went stumbling forward. She turned to find Buffy protecting Giles.
"Uh-uh. No fair going into the ring unless she tags you first." Spike called out
"Game's over." Buffy told him.
She kicked Drucilla over to Angel who had come in and made his way over so that Drucilla was in between them.
Spike having seen what was happening had wheeled to the other side of the factory well out of harms way.
Drucilla jumped and caught the bottom of the cat walk. She flipped over and stood on the platform waiting to see what Buffy would do. Angel climbed a pole that went up to the platform and Buffy took the stairs. Drucilla swung at Buffy, not realizing that Angel was behind her. Buffy ducked and kicked her leg out making Drucilla fall off the platform. She looked up and laughed at Buffy.
"You know he's going to die. I will get him back. Angelus is mine and you had no right to take him away from me."
Drucilla grabbed Spike and ran out the door. Buffy looked around for Giles. When she spotted him she jumped down and grabbed him, trying to make him leave the burning building. Having no luck she called for Angel who had run out after Drucilla. He came in and they managed to get Giles out into the fresh air. Once outside, Giles pushed both Buffy and Angel off him.
"Why did you come here! This wasn't your fight!"
Buffy saw red and punched Giles with as much force as she could muster after breathing in so much smoke. Giles fell to the ground and looked up at her.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed!"
She started to cry and Angel made to hold her. She stopped him with a look and he nodded in understanding. Buffy watched him walk back to the car to make sure that the others were okay. Buffy crouched down next to Giles and enveloped him in a big bear hug. He hugged her back and buried his face in the crook of her neck.
"You can't leave me. I can't do this alone." She told him through her tears.
His shoulders continued shaking and Buffy continued to hold him. After a few minutes his crying lessened and Giles was able to look Buffy in the eye.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"I know."
With that Buffy helped Giles up and took him to Cordelia's car. Xander helped him into the passenger front seat and closed the door.
"Make sure he gets home okay." She told him.
He gave her a quick hug and got in the back with Willow and they took off.
Buffy watched them go and turned to Angel. He finally took her in her arms and held her as her tears started to flow.
It hurts sometimes more than we can bear.
If we could live without passion,
maybe we'd know some kind of peace.
But we would be hollow.
Empty rooms, shuttered and dank...
Without passion, we'd be truly dead.
Ch. 9
Two days later the gang gathered in Restfield cemetery. Angel had promised to visit at sundown. They watched quietly as the casket was lowered into the opening. After the ceremony they left Buffy and Giles to themselves. The two of them stood for the longest time not saying a word. Finally Giles knelt down and laid the flowers he was holding on the grave.
"In my years as... Watcher... I've buried... too many people. But Jenny was the first I've loved."
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't kill her for you... for her... when I had the chance. I wasn't ready for something like this. I should have been but I wasn't."
"Buffy it wasn't your fault."
"In a way it is. She died because Drucilla thought that she had something to do with the fact that Angel still has his soul. It wasn't her it was her uncle. She died because I'm happy."
"Buffy I never want to hear you say that again. Before she died she told me that she was glad that you were happy. And I'm glad as well."
"Yes but my happiness came with a price. Now I know why Slayers are normally kept isolated from the rest of the world."
With that Buffy walked away leaving Giles alone to mourn.
The next day at school, everyone that passed the any of the gang especially Giles gave them looks of pity. Even principal Snyder kept away from them.
Buffy walked to Jenny's classroom and watched as Willow gave her first lesson as the substitute Computer science teacher. She watched as Willows notes pushed a little yellow floppy disk off the desk.
She'll pick that up later I guess.
With that Buffy continued down the hall toward the library.
The End...Or is it?
Reviews - thanx as always guys. Ur awsome!
Milly301: Yea they are fun. i aim to learn at least 4 languages by the time i'm 30...doubt it'll happen but meh :)
michebabyblue: thanx heaps. Passion was prob my fave to write i'm also looking forward to 'I Only Have Eyes for you' thats been in my head since i started. i can tell you now that no everything is going to be happy...but thats for later seasons (yeah i'm going to do them)
BadGirlFaith: Thanx :)
pinkyblue-ice: glad you're liking :)
txgrljf: hope you enjoyd :)
AlwaysA: Addicted is good, means i have more inspiration 2 write (not that i really need it at the mom. the plot bunnie are bouncing happily) glad ur liking :)