Disclaimer: I still don't own them.
Giles took off his glasses and deeply sighed as he started to press the numbers of his old telephone. The numbers he used never before, and he felt quite nervous as he dialed them now. Shortly after the signal sound confirmed that the connection was established, a cheerful voice spoke.
„Angel Investigations, we help the helpless!"
The ex-watcher immediately recognized the voice. „Hello Cordelia, it is Giles."
„Oh my God, who's dead?" Cordelia questioned nervously, and Giles could almost hear how her heart skipped a beat. He couldn't really blame her, after all, it's not like they were on each other's calling list.
„What? No, nobody is dead..."
„Then who's dying?" The ex-cheerleader exclaimed again, not allowing him to finish the statement. „Is it Xander?"
„Cordelia.." He tried to get the words out, but the girl was relentless.
„He did something to piss off that she-demon, didn't he? I mean, it's not that I blame her, but..."
„For God's sake!"
Cordelia paused at the unsettling tone of a usually stoic and collected man, the urgency and agitation of his voice making her lose her own.
„We don't have time for the prattle! It is a matter of the utmost urgency for you to listen to me!" The receptionist nodded, obviously unaware that Giles can't see her. He took a deep breath to calm himself and used the pads of his thumb and index finger to rub his eyes. „I need you to tell Angel that he must come to Sunnydale at once. It is extremely important for him to head off right away. Can you do that?"
„ Of course." Cordelia assured him. „He was just about to head out, but I'll send him your way immediately."
„Thank you." Feeling bad for snapping at her, he tried to say it as softly as possible.
„Is Buffy OK?"
The sincere care of her voice astonished him for a moment, but he quickly soothed her. „She's all right."
As Giles telephoned, Buffy directed her attention to their guests, but she spoke directly to Vadoma. "90 years ago you cursed someone."
The Romani woman nodded, the practice not so uncommon for her people of that time."And you want me to take the curse back?"
"No." The slayer clenched her jaw. "I want you to fix the curse." Buffy watched as questions passed through a woman's eyes, and she briefly wondered how many people they've cursed along with Angel. Something told her he wasn't the only one who angered them. "I want him to be able to be happy again."
Then, finally, the angry recognition disfigured her face. "Angelus." She uttered.
As soon as she said it, two men gasped and looked at Buffy like she just grew horns on top of her head. "Are you crazy?" Danior, the quarrelsome of them responded. "He doesn't deserve happiness! He should have an eternity of pain and suffering! After everything he did to us, to Enyos, to Janna…"
"You killed Jenny!" Buffy shouted, her patience now completely leaving her. "You all killed her. You all killed her uncle… Every drop of blood Angel spilled after his soul was ripped out is on your hands!" The days when she blamed herself, Angel or even Angelus were long gone. They didn't know what was going to happen. They loved each other and in the end sacrificed their happiness for the world. But these people knew. Not only that they devised the cruel and absurd clause, they knew about it and kept quiet. The real killers stood right in front of her, and she could do nothing but hope they'll fix some of the damage. She was well aware hers and Angel's relationship was irreparable, but maybe she'll negotiate some peace for his neverending life.
"He doesn't deserve it!" The older Romani continued to oppose her, his words not surprising her at all. But what did welcome her unprepared, was Xander's response.
"I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I agree with him."
All the people in the room looked at him, astonished, and Willow gasped at his words.
"Not now, Xander." Buffy tried to postpone the conversation she knew was inevitable, but she wasn't prepared for his explosive and angry reply.
"Yes, now Buffy!" The boy shouted, pointing his finger at the slayer. "This isn't just your decision! Or must I remind you that we also went through the hell called Angelus? We have the say in this as well!"
Willow did her best to calm her oldest friend. "Xander, please, you need to calm down. We can discuss this later." The last thing they needed was for the Romani to know how torn apart they are.
"No Will!" Xander called. "You can twist this however you want, but he is a criminal. A murderer. He doesn't deserve a reward for his actions." He looked at Buffy again, his face collected and serious. "I won't allow it." Buffy's big eyes filled with tears of frustration and Xander silently cursed at himself but remained strong. He was right.
"It wasn't his fault." Her voice was weak and silent, not at all usual for the feisty slayer.
"Well, that depends on your point of view, doesn't it? From where I'm standing, his hands broke Jenny's neck." He took a deep breath and made sure to look Buffy straight into the eyes. "He doesn't deserve peace."
"And what about me?" Anya responded instead of Buffy, surprising everyone. "Do I deserve to suffer forever too?"
Xander looked at her strangely. "This has nothing to do with you, An."
"No?" She questioned, provoking him. "I've murdered, tortured and maimed thousands. Willingly. If someone came tomorrow and forbid me to have orgasms with you, you would be ok with that?"
"That is different." Xander said, much more timidly than before.
"How?" His girlfriend asked, her hands crossed over her chest, looking at him expectedly.
"Because Angel didn't choose it." Willow answered instead, her doe eyes begging Xander to stop.
His face fell and he felt heat flowing through his body, stopping in his throat and choking him. Shame. Hypocrisy. Anger. Defeat. He never felt all these at once, and for once in his life, he was lost for words. A part of him still thought he was right, but only one look at Anya and her angry and hurt face was enough to silence him.
"It's not so simple when it's about someone you care about, is it?" Buffy muttered, for the first time in her life actually grateful for the ex-demon. "So, do we have an agreement?" She questioned Vadoma, her resolve in full force once again.
"You all are mad!" Danior declared, but a single movement of the Vadoma's hand silenced him.
"Those spells are dangerous, dark and long forgotten."
"I'm sure you'll remember how." Buffy assured her. "Unless, you're going to break your promise?"
The Romani woman sighed and shortly shook her head in a 'no' motion. "I just don't know if it is possible. I will have to see him first"
"Good." Buffy said and noticed Giles who entered the room again.
"And?" She asked him.
"He's on the way."
"Angel, man, we won't be of much help to your girl if we are dead." Gunn said to the friendly vampire while his hand strongly gripped the safety belt of Angel's Plymouth. One curve earlier he was sure it was over, that car creaking and Cordelia's screaming were sounds that are going to send him off to an afterlife. A car accident was always a possible way to die, after all, he was reckless, hasty and often enjoyed fast rides. But after an hour in the car with Angel, he was sure it was not the way he wanted to go. Whatever hell was waiting for them in Sunnydale, he would gladly face it alone, if that meant he doesn't have to spend another minute in this speedy metal death trap with the immortal man behind the wheel. In the moments he wasn't scared shitless, he wondered about the girl they're rushing towards. The Slayer. The only creature on the face of the earth that could turn Angel from calm and broody to scared and anxious. He's heard about her form Cordelia and Wesley, but not enough to arrange a whole puzzle that is Buffy. He knew about her strength, will power and undying love she and his boss shared. He was glad he'll finally be able to see her and find out a bit more about her. Maybe even train with her a little. The car skidded when Angel roughly turned the wheel to catch the exit and Gunn's head collided with the window with a loud thud. "I'm serious Angel, I'll dust you if we die!" Intrigued by the silence from the usually nagging ex-watcher, he turned his way only to find him pale as s sheet, covering his mouth with a hand and barely holding his stomach from vomiting. "Oh, great! Kill me now!"
Not caring about the complaints from his companions, the vampire pressed the gas pedal and cursed the distance that separated them. When he was leaving Sunnydale, Los Angeles seemed like a logical choice. A big city full of demons and supernatural beings, a catchy name, a continuation of his redemption path on the same place where it started… but, most of all, it was close to her. He reasoned that he'll be there in a second if she needed him. But now, it seemed that the road had no end and he was letting her suffer, or even die. He was letting his girl down. At least that's what Gunn called her. His girl. Only, she wasn't anymore. She was Riley's. Xander's. Sunnydale's. Worlds. Not his. Even though she said always.
"Angel!" He heard Cordelia's annoyed scream and he guessed it wasn't the first time she called him. "Slow down! You're going to kill us all! Us human all! And then, I'll come back and haunt you for eternity!"
"Tell me again." Angel urged her, totally ignoring her threat and not slowing down. She was pretty sure he would drive even faster if the engine permitted it.
"I already told you." She sighed. "Tell Angel he must come to Sunnydale at once." The vision girl mimicked Giles's accent.
"That can't be good." The vampire told himself. "That sounds bad. Does it sound bad to you?" He asked and turned back to look at Weasley.
"Eyes on the road!" The man cried in a girlish voice that reminded Angel of the old watcher from the time they first met. "Eyes on the road!"
Unfazed, Angel returned his view to the highway. "Well?" He questioned again.
Wesley took off his glasses and closed his eyes, willing his dinner to stay inside. "I admit, it doesn't sound well."
"I knew it!" The vampire barked and hit the steering wheel with the palm of his hand. "Come on, faster!" He willed the car as if it will understand him. And as if it can go faster.
"But…" The self-proclaimed rough demon hunter continued. "Giles also said that Buffy is all right. Right, Cordelia?"
"Right!" The only girl in the car confirmed. "And he seemed pretty sure of himself when he said it!"
"I have a bad feeling." Angel mumbled as they passed the 'Welcome to Sunnydale" sign.
For once in her life, Buffy was glad Angel was far away. She needed some time to collect her thoughts and feelings. Today, when she woke up, she couldn't even imagine it would be the day she will see Angel again. The day they will bind his soul. And the day he will leave her again. Not an ordinary Wednesday, that's for sure. She slowly removed ruined and bloody white blouse from her body and gasped when the fabric ripped already dry blood from her skin. The pants were next to go, and she quickly stepped into the shower and under lukewarm water that gently pelted over her body. The water around her feet quickly became red, imitating the color of her blood that gushed from the still open wounds on her back. She quickly realized her injuries were much deeper than she assumed, but she welcomed the distracting pain with open arms. Seeing Angel was always unsettling. Being so close to him, but not being able to touch him was devastating, seeing his strong arms and not being able to seek comfort in them hurt to no end. And now, his soul will get bound and she wasn't sure how she is going to survive not being able to caress him, kiss him and get lost in him. She used to dream about this kind of scenarios. Something magical would happen and they'll be able to make love again, to adore each other in a way that was allowed only once before. To have the missing part.
But, Angel made it pretty clear that the inability to sleep with her wasn't the only problem. Following that train of thoughts, nothing in their relationship, or lack of it, will change today. He will come here, turn her world upside down, and leave again. And she will let him go. Again.
A knock on the door startled her and she quickly turned off the water and wrapped a huge soft towel around herself. "Yes?" She called and watched as redheaded witch peeped inside.
"Can I come in?" She questioned quietly and raised a small glass jar. "I have an ointment for your wound."
"Sure Will." Buffy kindly smiled and said a quiet thank you to her best friend.
"Don't mention it." Willow responded. "Those people outside are giving me wiggles anyway."
"Tell me about it." The slayer turned around and uncovered her back to her friend.
The witch gasped. "Buffy… this isn't good. I'm not sure this will help. This is for surface wounds and these ones go pretty deep." She doubted into the cure she alone made and gently touched her skin. She quickly pulled her fingers away as soon as Buffy moaned in pain. "I think you should go to the hospital. It seems bad."
"No, no hospitals for Buffy! Just grease me up and I'm good to go!"
"Buffy…"
"Please Willow, not today." Her voice turned out a lot more shakily than she intended it to be, but she knew she won as soon she heard Willow sigh and felt cold medicine soothing her cuts.
"How are you feeling?"
"It hurts a little." Buffy confessed shakily.
"I'm not talking about the wounds." The redhead clarified, totally unprepared for the slayer's response.
"I know."
They didn't speak after that. Willow tried to babble something in her usual manner, but she quickly realized her friend's thoughts were somewhere else. So, instead, she helped the slayer to get ready as soon as possible. She bandaged her back and found spare clothes Buffy always kept at Giles's. The slayer dried her golden locks and put a bit of makeup on, just to give her face some color.
Suddenly, a loud knock on the door startled them and they ran out of the bathroom, only to find Riley standing in the middle of the living room, introducing himself to the people that still sat there.
Buffy took a deep breath.
She knew she forgot something.
"So, let me get this straight." Riley stated, walking in circles around the coffee table, trying to process the information he just received. "They…" He said and pointed at the people he met a few minutes ago. "…are from the tribe that cursed Angel, your ex-boyfriend, and are here now to bind his soul."
"Yes." Buffy answered him shortly.
"Ok, I understand." Riley nodded. "Just one question." He breathed deeply and mentally prepared himself for the answer. "Why?"
"Because that is what slayer's heart wishes." The old lady answered and Buffy was sure the usually quiet woman was just trying to mess with her.
"Because it is the right thing to do." Buffy answered him herself and Riley laughed without humor.
"So what your heart wishes is the right thing to do?"
"No..."
"So, your heart doesn't wish that?"
"Ok, who wants a cup of coffee?" Xander said and unnecessarily clapped his hands. "I could sure use some."
Understanding his intention, Willow immediately supported his idea. "And cookies. Lots and lots of cookies."
"How about we all go to the kitchen and get some? That sounds like a good idea!" Tara quickly jumped in and pushed Anya in that direction.
"You all are crazy. Just crazy." Danior offered his opinion and looked at Xander like he's an idiot when he tried to drag him to the kitchen as well.
Riley plainly ignored all of them and turned to Giles. "And you are fine with this?" He asked the older man, completely sure he will list at least 3 reasons why this was a bad idea.
"I am." The unofficial watcher told him surely and calmly, surprising him. "I believe this is the safest thing to do."
As if rationalization hit him over the head, he immediately calmed down. "It is, isn't it?" Buffy looked him strange but kept quiet when he started to apologize. "I'm sorry. I just… I'm so jealous sometimes that I don't see reason. Of course, it is safer to secure his soul than risk him losing it again. He is immortal, after all. It is highly unlikely he won't be happy ever again."
Buffy smiled and looked him with the utmost respect and adoration. She loved his thinking and his righteousness. "I just really don't like him." She even laughed at Riley's confession and physically felt a stone falling from her heart. It will be easier than she thought.
"Don't worry, he'll leave as soon as the spell is complete. You don't even have to see him."
"What do you mean? I'm not going anywhere."
"Riley, I don't need another fight tonight." She felt like screaming.
"I won't start it, be sure in that."
"Riley…"
But it was too late. The sound of sudden braking passed through the room and a second later, a murmur of voices and accelerated steps were heard. A familiar tingle at the back of her neck confirmed his presence even before his voice that held only one word: "Buffy!"