Author's note: this story is packed full of episode details so if you are just getting into Buffy and Angel (hopefully not because that would mean you considered the underside of a rock your home) don't read on if you don't want anything spoiled for you. Otherwise, continue and enjoy this latest instalment!
I lay on Buffy's couch, in a makeshift bed made with rather festive sheets. I couldn't help but grin as I looked at them. They were covered with reindeer, holly, and the occasional fat and jolly Santa. We all stayed here on the account that this was indeed Sunnydale and that meant anything could happen and if it did, we would have Buffy close by.
My thoughts wondered to what we would do in the meantime before Willow figured out a reason for this strange occurrence. Perhaps, I thought, we could check out the Bronze. I had to admit I'd always imagined what it would be like to go there if it existed in real life. Well, this was kind of real life, sort of. We didn't know for sure but we all agreed that it felt pretty real.
At that moment, I saw Buffy and Angel return from patrol. The romantic tension was clear between them. Every time they touched, even in the slightest way, the tension built. I sighed as I remembered the decision that Angel would eventually make. My heart squeezed in sympathy for Buffy and the pain I knew she would suffer at his departure.
Oh, how I feel sorry for you two. I thought. That was when they noticed I was awake and watching them. They awkwardly put distance between themselves, although not far enough that they couldn't reach out and touch one another, the one forbidden act.
"Hey…you're still awake. It's late." Buffy said, gesturing at the clock. I turned, noticing it for the first time. It read 4:30 am. Well, crap! I had spent most of the night thinking. Oh well. I could just go to bed earlier tonight.
"Yeah, I see that," I pointed to my head, "too many thoughts running around in there."
Buffy nodded in understanding. "I get that. You guys have had a lot happen to you in the last day or so. I'd be pulling the insomnia thing too."
"Well, Angel," I said, yawning, "you had better find a place to take cover before you become a crispy critter."
Angel laughed at my choice of words. "Yeah." He agreed. "Night Buffy." He said, and left.
I turned to Buffy. "I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds when I say this, but I know what you two are going through right now…with the whole no touchy thing."
Buffy looked down at her hands. I knew that my words had struck a cord. I instantly kicked myself for bringing it up.
"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings."
Buffy looked up at me and gave me a half smile. "It's okay. Funnily enough, it's good that someone else knows. I feel less alone in a way."
I smiled, glad that she was alright with what I had said. "I'm glad."
"But there's something I want to know…"
"What would that be?"
She started to speak a couple of times before she actually got the words out.
"What happens with Angel and me?"
Wow, I thought, that was a loaded question. Should I answer it? I bit my lip and wished I had someone to ask.
Seeing my hesitation, Buffy added, "I-I know it's a rather, uh, heavy question but I really need to know. I want to know if things will work out between us or if they…"
Buffy didn't finish her sentence, but I knew what she was going to say. What if they didn't work out? I knew the answer to that: they didn't. To tell her that information, I would break her heart. Or, I realized, she would do everything in her power to make sure it didn't happen.
Was that a good thing or not? I didn't know. That's when I remembered that I had begun to watch Angel, the series aswell and knew his future aswell. Well, most of it since I didn't have the fifth (and final) season yet. So would I simply put those events in motion sooner or not at all?
So many damned questions and not enough answers.
At that moment, I wished I had superpowers and could work out my frustrations on Vampires.
"Please tell me." Buffy pleaded.
I sighed and decided it just might be for the best. "Well, you two, uh, don't, uh, work out. I'm sorry."
I explained the logic about Angel's curse, his inability to have children and take her into the sun. I also told her that he would go to LA.
Buffy looked crushed by my news. I felt horrible but at the same time, I knew that she needed to know this. Better now so that if he does indeed leave, it'll be easier on her. Well, hopefully. With my luck, that might not be the case.
Without a word, Buffy raced upstairs and with a slam of a door, I knew she was in her room.
"What was that all about?" I looked up to see Giles looking concerned.
"I just told her something that upset her. I told her the outcome of her and Angel's relationship."
Giles immediately looked shocked and removed his glasses. "You knew? And you told her?"
Man, Giles had that fatherly tone down to an art because I was feeling like a child being scolded.
"Yeah, she asked me and insisted she needed to know, good or bad. So, I stewed for a moment, but I did tell her."
"And what did you say?"
"I told her that they wouldn't work out."
Giles sank onto the couch next to me, obviously waiting for the rest of the story.
I sighed and relayed the rest of the conversation to him up until he came into the room.
"She must be devastated." He said after a long silence.
"Yeah," I agreed, "but at the same time, you must admit it's sort of good that she knows." This, of course, went against my usual view on romance. I was a firm believer in it meaning that if a couple was as in love as these two were, they should stay together. But, at the same time, the logical part of me understood the reasoning behind it.
Buffy deserves someone who can give her everything. That was the plain truth.
Giles seemed to ponder my point for a moment before nodding. "Yes, yes, I see what you mean." Still, the watcher looked so sad for her. I laid my hand on his and gave it a squeeze.
"If it's any consolation, I'll tell you and only you that she does find love again."
Giles gave me a small smile. "It does help. I just wish it would ease her pain now, even though I know it can't."
I nodded. It was so true.
Suddenly, I remember just what adventure was going to hit them next.
"Oh, crap!" were the only words I got out before everything changed.
Author's second note: see? There are some things that even Christine can't stop from happening! Enjoy the next chapter!
