This chapter seemed to write itself! I had a lot of fun with it, and I hope you like reading it as much as I liked writing it.
I'd like to thank all my wonderful reviewers; RabidReject, a2zmom, BlackbAngeL, Adjovi, redrider6612, butterflygirl88, Imzadi, mendenbar, btvsfifi, Angel's blue eyed girl, Angeldovey, and AngstAddicted! Love the reviews, they make my day, and they make me write faster, so keep it up! lol!
Willow was frantic, pacing the halls of the hotel. She had sent Angel after Buffy over an hour ago, and there was still no word. What if something had gone wrong? What if Angel and Buffy were trapped, or... She wouldn't let herself think that! Making her way down the corridor, she passed Angel's room, hearing a noise. She stopped, listening at the doorway. She heard what sounded like laughter coming from behind the door.
She put her ear against the door, pulling it back seconds later, a gasp escaping her lips. That was Angel! She had never heard him laugh before, not a real, from the heart kind of laugh. A smile appeared on her lips. Buffy had done it! She had convinced the Powers That Be to reward Angel!
Willow walked back down the hall slowly, grinning from ear to ear. She was so glad for them. Buffy and Angel deserved happiness after all these years of being lonely and miserable. She was so lost in her thoughts, she didn't even see Spike coming toward her, his head down, not watching where he was going.
The next thing she knew, she was on the ground, in a tangle of limbs with the vampire. "Red?" Spike disentangled himself from her, holding out his hand and helping her up off the ground. Spike noticed the smile still playing across her lips. "What's got you so bloody happy today?"
"The prophecy! It came true, and now Angel's human!" She didn't even think of how her words would affect him, didn't see the disappointment pass across his face.
"Well, isn't that just bloody terrific!" Spike shook his head. He had known that the prophecy had been for Angel, really he did, but it didn't make it any easier to deal with. Damn the ponce, getting the reward that Spike had longed for, even if he had never admitted it to himself.
Willow heard the sarcasm in Spike's voice, and she glanced up at him, meeting his eyes, and seeing the hurt there. "Oh, Spike, I...I'm so sorry, I..."
"It's okay, pet." He felt an unnatural desire to put her at ease. He didn't want to be the one to make her upset. "Really. I'm...happy for...well, for him and Buffy." As he said the words, he realized that he meant them. 'Oh, Lord, now what?' Faith was right, he WAS turning into Angel. Too bleeding soft for his own good.
BBBBBB
Buffy lay in Angel's arms, basking in the glow of their lovemaking. She sighed contentedly, snuggling closer to him, laying her head on his chest, listening to the sound of his now beating heart. She still couldn't believe this was actually happening. She remembered the last time he had held her like this. "Angel?"
"Hmmm?" Angel couldn't believe how happy he was. In his whole, unnaturally long life, he had never felt this happy. He knew that there was nothing standing in their way this time. She was his, and he was never going to let her go again.
"Promise me." She lifted her head up, and looked up at him. "Promise me, that no matter what happens, you won't leave, you'll be here with me." She kissed him softly. "Promise me forever."
"I promise" he whispered, pulling her to him, kissing her, gently at first, then with more passion.
Buffy responded, pressing against him. His kisses were like air to her, she needed them to survive. Feeling his lips on hers, she remembered their first kiss, before she knew what he was. Then their second, when it hadn't mattered. He was hers, and she was never going to let him go again.
Minutes later, they broke the kiss, both gasping for breath. It took Buffy a moment to come back to her senses, but once she did, a thought occured to her. "Oh my gosh! Willow!" Buffy started to get up. "She must be worried! We didn't even tell her we're back, much less..."
Angel took her arm, pulling her back down to him. "She knows." He smiled at her look of confusion.
"How...?"
"I heard her, out in the hall."
Buffy stared at him for a second, then comprehension dawned. "You...you still have your powers?!"
"I guess the Powers That Be wanted to make sure we really could fight together."
She thought for a moment, realizing what a gift they had actually given them. To know that he wouldn't leave her because he couldn't help her, couldn't protect her. That they could be together, in everything, always. 'Thanks, Cordy' As she leaned down to kiss her Angel, she thought she could hear Cordelia's laughter. 'Your're Welcome'
BBBBBB
Spike unlocked the door to his suite. He walked through the door, slamming it behind him, then headed towards the kitchen, and the supply of alcohol he kept there. He no sooner took two steps, when he was grabbed from behind, turned, and pushed back, up against the door.
"Hello, lover." Faith captured his lips with hers, pressing her body against his. In the back of her mind, she knew she should stop. She shouldn't keep seeing him like this, it was too confusing for her, but she couldn't seem to stop. His kisses, his touch, were intoxicating. She couldn't get enough of him.
Spike's body felt as if it were on fire. He kissed her hungrily, running his hands down her back, pulling her towards him. Minutes later, she broke the kiss, breathing heavily, and pulled him toward the bed. He allowed himself to be led by her, but clarity returned at the last second. "Faith."
She ignored his voice, concentrating on pulling his shirt over his head.
"Faith!" He grabbed her arms, holding them down at her sides.
She looked at him, a question in her eyes. He had never refused her before. She suddenly remembered the look on his face when he had walked in, the slamming of the door. "What's got you all pissed off, Blondie Bear? As if I couldn't guess." She tried to disguise the hurt in her voice, knowing he was thinking of Buffy.
Spike sighed and shook his head. "It's not what you think, pet."
Faith pulled back from him, and he released her arms. "Sure it isn't. I know you're brooding about B!"
"I'm not..." He closed his eyes, trying to calm the anger he felt at her, thinking she knew him. When he opened them again, she was looking at him, an expression he couldn't identify on her face. "It's not Buffy."
Faith stared at him, trying to read the truth in his eyes. She hated to admit the pain she felt when she thought of him and Buffy together. "So, if it's not her, what is it?"
"Angel's human. The prophecy came true, he got his reward."
"That's great!" She was happy for Angel. He deserved... Her thoughts broke off as she realized what that meant for Spike. "Oh." Faith tried to act nonchalant, but inside, she felt...what? Disappointment? Regret? Had she really been hoping that Spike would become human? Of course not! But yet... "I'm sorry."
"It's really not a problem, luv. Now they can be happy together."
"Spike..."
"Hey, why would I want to become human, anyway? My life's great! I'm gonna live forever! Never grow old, never die, what's not to love?"
"Yeah, sure." She walked toward him, wanting to take away the pain she knew he was feeling. She ran her hands up his chest, then wrapped her arms around him and pulled him to her.
"Don't." Spike pushed her away.
She looked at him, sparks of anger flashing in her eyes. "Fine!" She shook her head. "You don't want this?! Don't worry, I don't want it either!" She whirled around, walking towards the door. "I was just trying to make you feel better!"
Spike grabbed her arm, jerking back to face him. "You think I don't want you? I do! You know that! What I don't want is just sex. Meaningless sex." He leaned down slowly, his lips touching hers lightly, sending shivers down her spine. His fingers caressed her cheek, as he gently explored her mouth with his tongue. When he pulled away, she slowly opened her eyes, looking up into his. "I want more than that from you, luv." He let her go, and made his way to the door. "And I'm willing to wait for it."
She stood there, her back to him, not moving until she heard the soft click as the door closed behind him. She closed her eyes, and slowly sank down onto the bed. "Oh, boy. I'm so in trouble."