Chapter Thirty-Four
Xander pulled in after a long day at work. Xander had taken control of Brian's firm, changed the name to Kelly Enterprises, and turned it into one of the largest firms in the country. Xander took a cleansing breath as he removed the mail from the mailbox, and unlocked the door.
Hanging up his coat, Xander walked into the living room. Dropping the mail on the table, Xander headed to the kitchen for a drink. Returning to the living room, Xander heard a knock at the door.
"Will?" Xander called upstairs, "someone's at the door."
"I'm on long distance," Willow called back. Xander groaned and mumbled as he went to open the door.
"Hey Angel," Xander said as he invited Angel inside.
"Hey, Xander," Angel stepped in and followed Xander to the living room. "Is Willow home?"
"Yeah, she's upstairs on the phone."
"Still trying to plan that big party?" Angel smiled as he stared at the stack of mail behind the couch.
"Yeah," giggled Xander, "You'd think she'd have it all planned by now."
"You know, Will, everything has to be perfect. So how are Giles and Dawn?" Angel furled his brow at the corner of a postcard, peeking from beneath the stack. Sliding it out, Angel's breath caught in his throat.
The postcard showed the temple of Aphrodite, and on the back were scribbled the words; Hope all is well, B. Xander looked at Angel who was rubbing his thumb over Buffy's writing.
"Have you heard a word I said?" Xander said walking over to Angel.
"About what?"
"Giles and Dawn? He's got a girlfriend and Dawn graduates in a few weeks."
Angel did not reply, but handed Xander the card.
"Oh, man, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let you see that."
"No, it's fine," Angel said, shaking off the hurt. "Buffy thinks I died, so I understand that she's 'grieving', so to speak. I just thought you didn't know where she was."
"We don't," Answered Xander. "When she first started sending these, we would send people after her, but she was always several days ahead of us."
"So, she's sending these before she leaves the country."
"Yeah, that's what we think."
"So did she say when she was coming back?" Angel said taking the card back from Xander.
"Nope, just that she would when she was ready."
"But that was almost six months ago!" Angel exclaimed. "How long is she going to keep this up?"
"Willow and I have warned everyone that she may never come back."
"It's not fair," Angel told Xander as he placed Buffy's postcard under the stack of mail. "To her, or to me, dead or alive."
"I agree," said Xander, "But you know Buffy; she tends to take things to the extreme."
"Yeah," Angel smiled with Xander. "Well, I'm going to go harass Willow. That's why I came in the first place."
"Ok, man," chuckled Xander, "don't forget I got those tickets to the Eagles for next Friday!"
"I'll be there!" Angel said before climbing the stairs to Willow's room.
Willow had laid claim to Buffy's room in her absence. Everything remained the same, only Willow's computer on Buffy's desk was new. And that is where she sat, typing a menu for the Halloween party she was trying to plan, and talking and on the phone.
"Come on," Willow pleaded into the receiver. "Please come! I know you would enjoy it!"
"Thanks, Will," said a familiar blond, "But I just don't feel right coming back yet."
"Buffy, you're never going to be truly ready," scolded Willow. "You just need to take a breath and get on a plane."
"Sorry Will, Hell could be getting loose, and I wouldn't come." Silence hung on the line. "Okay, so maybe on that one I would come, but anything else is out of the question."
"Why not? It's not like you have someone special."
"Gee, feeling the love on this line." Buffy told Willow.
"Sorry," Willow apologized with a giggle. "But you know what I meant."
"Yeah, I do." Willow could hear Buffy's smile on the other end of the phone.
"So, how's Dawn?" Buffy asked changing topics. "She should be about ready to graduate."
"In a few weeks," Willow confirmed.
"I bet Giles is proud."
"Yeah, He's thinking of taking his new girlfriend with him to the ceremony."
"Giles? Girlfriend? We are talking about the same guy, right?"
"Yeah, he's been seeing her now for about two months."
"Wow," sighed Buffy, "You leave the country for a few months and the world flips."
"You sure you won't come to the party?" Willow tried again to get Buffy to come back.
"Willow?" Angel's voice called from down the hall.
"Oh! I got to go!" Willow said nervously.
"Ok, Will, talk later?" Buffy asked.
"Yeah, talk later. Bye." Willow put down the receiver just as Angel walked through the door.
"Hey, Angel," Willow said turning to greet Angel.
"Who was on the phone?" Angel probed.
"No one, just the decorator," Willow tried to cover. "What brings you here?"
Angel walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.
"Well, I need your help, kinda. You know me and Rosalyn?"
"Yeah, You guys seemed real close."
"Yeah, well, I caught her with her ex-husband the day before yesterday."
"Oh, no! Angel, I am so sorry!" Willow placed a concerned hand on her friend's knee.
"It's ok," Angel brushed off. "I wasn't really thinking we were a forever kinda deal." He looked at Willow. "There's only been one of those."
Willow nodded in understanding.
"So what can I do to help?" Willow sat up straight in her seat.
"Do you know anyone who might need a date?"
"Are you asking me to set you up on a blind date?" Willow was surprised by Angel's actions. Usually he broods for a week or more after a breakup. Angel nodded.
"Uh, yeah," Willow agreed. "It might take a while, since I'm still trying to get this Halloween party taken care of."
"How's that going?" Angel asked, wanting to take his mind off things. Willow turned back to her computer, the screen filled with open programs organizing everything from silverware, to curtains.
"As you can see, it's a total mess," Willow said gesturing at the screen.
"Yeah, I can see that," Angel joked. "Who's that?"
Angel pointed to a screen name Willow still had popped up on the screen.
"Brokenwingsgirl?" Willow closed the window before Angel could see anymore.
"Just a friend," she said, turning back to Angel. "Well, If that's all you needed then I really have to get back to this party."
"Yeah, ok, Will," Angel said standing. "See ya."
"Yeah," Willow said as Angel headed for the door. "Oh, hey!"
Angel stopped at the door.
"If I find someone, would you mind if it was at the party?"
"The Halloween costume party?" Willow nodded.
"Yeah, okay, I can do that." Angel pointed at Willow. "But absolutely no breeches!"
"Aw, come on!" Willow whined.
"No! Absolutely not!" Angel warned. "I've already worn them once, I would rather not relive the experience!" Willow snapped her fingers, giving Angel a pouty face as he broke into his famous smile and left the room.
Later that night, Willow was still on the computer working on the last few details before her party, when a familiar screen name popped up.
Brokenwingsgirl: Hiya, Will!
SunnydaleWicca: hey
Brokenwingsgirl: still up?
SunnydaleWicca: Yeah
Brokenwingsgirl: Hey I was going to ask, was that Angel's voice I heard in the background before you hung up?
SunnydaleWicca: N
Brokenwingsgirl: Come on Will, it's me.
SunnydaleWicca: Yeah, it was Angel.
Brokenwingsgirl: I thought so. It's hard to forget that voice, LOL.
SunnydaleWicca: LOL yeah, you're right. I hate not telling him I know kinda where you are.
Brokenwingsgirl: I know Will, but the less he knows, the better. I don't need him chasing after me. Besides, I'm sure he's still pissed about my leaving.
SunnydaleWicca: Any hurt he felt at you leaving is gone by now.
Brokenwingsgirl: So how is Angel?
SunnydaleWicca: He's fine. Still going out with Rosalyn.
Brokenwingsgirl: That's good. Hey, speaking of which, would you do me a favor?
SunnydaleWicca: Sure. What is it?
Brokenwingsgirl: Keep you eyes open to any available men? I think I am about ready to settle down.
Willow leaned back in her chair and took a breath. What are chances that both of them would be ready to find someone at the same time? Then Willow got a wicked smile on her face.
SunnydaleWicca: As a matter of fact, a friend of a friend just told me that their buddy is looking for a blind date.
Brokenwingsgirl: A blind date? I don't know Will.
SunnydaleWicca: Come on. He's going to be at the Halloween party and would really like to meet someone. You can even wear a mask.
Brokenwingsgirl: (Sighs) Ok Will. You win. I'll come to your silly party. But no mask.
SunnydaleWicca: Great :D
SunnydaleWicca: I promise Buffy you won't regret this!
Brokenwingsgirl: I hope so.
SunnydaleWicca: I'll give him a call, and let him know to expect a date!
Brokenwingsgirl: Ok, but how will he know it's me?
SunnydaleWicca: I'll tell you what he's wearing, and vice versa.
Brokenwingsgirl: Ok, Will. I'll see you in two weeks.
SunnydaleWicca: See ya! ((HUGS))
Brokenwingsgirl: Bye ((HUGS))
SunnydaleWicca: Bye
Brokenwingsgirl as signed out.
Willow signed out and stood up from her chair and began to dance circles around the bedroom.
Finally, Willow thought. The heavens are going to set things right!
Two Weeks Later:
Angel walked through the doors of the old factory Willow was using for her Halloween party and was taken back to the days when Angelus, Drusilla, and Spike had spent in the old factory in Sunnydale. Weeding his way through he guests, he spotted Willow by the refreshments.
"Angel, hi!" Willow said, the ribbons in her hair flying. She was dressed like a traveling Gypsy; complete with white peasant blouse, corset, brown gauze-like skirt, and sandals. Angel took Willow by the arm and, when they were out of hear shot, Angel told her, "I thought I specifically told you NO breeches!"
Willow took a good look at Angel's costume. He was wearing a white, lace trimmed shirt, a blue, gold trimmed waistcoat with a darker blue jacket, black breeches and shoes.
"Well, there were no other options left," Willow tried to explain.
"You couldn't have found some riding boots or something, so I wouldn't feel so ridiculous?"
Willow shrugged her shoulders. "Look, don't worry too much about it. Your date won't hold it against you."
"I hope so." Angel said, straightening the waistcoat. "Where did you say this friend was from again?"
"Norway," Willow said, pulling a name from her hat. "Believe me when I tell you, that after you meet her, your whole life will change."
Angel rolled his eyes at Willow and left to mingle with the crowd.
A few hours later, Buffy arrived at the party. There were so many people, it was a wonder she would be able to find her date. Willow had told her that she had dressed her and her date alike. In other words, they were matched to a particular time frame. 1700's if she had heard Willow right. Buffy looked down at her pale green dress. It had several layers and was a pain to put on. It's a wonder the noblewomen of the time didn't run around naked.
Though the thought of being in an 18th Century dress scared her just a bit. The last time she had worn one, she ended up meek and defenseless, which was a place Buffy was determined never to be again. Scanning the crowd, she saw a familiar face and walked towards it.
"Xander!" Buffy said tapping a pirate's shoulder.
"Buffy?" replied Xander. "Oh my God! Buffy, you're back!"
"Yeah, Willow talked me into it."
"I'm glad she did. And whoa! Check out the Duchess of Buffonia! You look better than you did last time!"
"Thanks," Buffy said curtsying. "Let's just hope we don't have a repeat of last time!"
"Yeah, no kidding! The last thing I need is to be a pirate the rest of my life!"
"But I would have thought you would want to say 'Argh' all the time?"
"Ha ha, no thank you. I only chose this costume because it goes with the eye patch, Argh!"
Buffy laughed and headed through the crowd to the beverage table.
There she met up with Willow.
"He here yet?" she asked her gypsy friend.
"Yeah, but I don't want to introduce you yet."
"Why not?"
"Because, the time's not right." Willow said, handing Buffy her drink.
"Ok," Buffy sighed. "In that case, I'm going to find someone to dance with."
Willow nodded and Buffy walked away.
Careful of her dress, Buffy worked her way through the crowd over to where the dance floor was. Standing on the sidelines, Buffy watched as the other guests bumped and jived along to the music. Buffy bounced in place, the fabric of her dress whooshing, and making her soft curls bounce. As she bounced, a familiar tingle hit her spine. Oh, God, no! Buffy thought as she tried to find where he was. I can't meet Angel. Not now! Not after all I did! Buffy quickly turned and tried to walk away from the tingle that kept growing with intensity.
"Buffy?" Suddenly, Buffy stopped, frozen in her tracks. Carefully, Buffy turned around and faced the voice. Just a few feet away, Angel stood in all his beautiful glory. Even in her dreams, Angel had never looked as regal, or handsome as he did now. The clothes, reminded Buffy of the dreams she had had as a girl, imagining what Angel looked like when he was human. Then the dream spoke again.
"Buffy? Is that you?" Asked Angel's stunned voice.
Instantly, Buffy's drink fell from her hand.
"I can't do this," she said before turning to run.
"No, wait!" Angel cried, running after her. From across the room, Willow and Xander had seen everything.
"Nice work," Xander chided.
"Shut up," Willow tossed at Xander. "It's not over yet, just wait."
Buffy burst through the doors of the factory, her hand holding back the tears that were threatening to fall. She found comfort on the side of a stack of wooden crates. She leaned against them, and tried to stifle her sobs. Angel burst through the doors after her, and looked to either side. Seeing Buffy, he rushed towards her.
"Buffy," Angel said softly as he approached the love of his life. Buffy took a deep breath but did not turn around.
"Go away," she said through tears.
"Why?" Angel asked, taking careful steps as to not startle the deer before him.
"Because, you're not here."
"Why am I not here?"
"Because you hate me."
"Buffy, I could never hate you. I love you."
At that, Buffy spun around. "Don't say that! It's not true!"
Angel stopped just a couple of feet from Buffy. She obviously thinks I hate her because of the hospital. Angel put out his hands, trying to calm Buffy.
"Why do you doubt what I said to you?"
"Because," Buffy cried, wishing Angel wasn't there. "I abandoned you while you where in a coma!"
"You were scared," Angel tried to reason. "You thought I was going to be there forever. It's only natural."
"It's still no excuse," Buffy explained. "I leave you to an unknown fate in a hospital bed, and go off trekking the globe! What kind of lover, better yet, friend, does something like that?"
"I did," Angel said solemnly.
"You did?" Buffy wiped a tear from her face.
"Right before I came to Sunnydale, I had taken control of Wolfram & Hart, and they had put Cordy in the hospital, because she was in a permanent coma."
"She didn't wake up?"
"No," Angel said looking down at his patent shoes. "And a part of me felt bad because I wasn't by her side. But I knew I had to keep living, keep fighting, for me as well as for her."
"But that's not why I left," Buffy confessed, taking a step closer to Angel. "I left because I couldn't live with you in a coma. I – I ran away."
Angel took a step closer and realizing how close he truly was, reached out and softly touched Buffy's arm. The chill that went down both their backs probably had enough charge in it to light a light bulb. Buffy looked where Angel's hand rested, then up towards his face. It had been too long since she had seen into his chocolate eyes. Angel looked down at Buffy. She looked absolutely radiant in her dress. The green set of the emerald of her eyes. Her blond curls framed her face with a warm glow.
If Buffy had looked like this back when he was human, he would have remained Liam forever. That sleepy little town of Galway, would have been Paris, Rome and Madrid, all as long as he had had someone like Buffy to come home to. Angel leaned down to whisper in Buffy's ear.
"I forgive you." he whispered. Buffy closed her eyes and held back the flood of tears that threatened to fall. Buffy wrapped her arms around Angel's neck, surprising Angel.
"I love you," she whispered back. Angel set Buffy on the ground and tilted her head back so he could see her emerald eyes. Staring deep into her soul, Angel leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.
For a moment Buffy didn't know what was happening. Then, the butterflies that had been fluttering in her stomach since seeing Angel's face again, flew away as she wrapped one hand around Angel's waist, the other, around his neck. The kiss grew more passionate as each second passed. Buffy felt the weight of the last few months dissolve, leave her lighter and free. Angel on the other hand was the one who felt like they were going to cry.
The emptiness he had felt since Buffy's departure was slowly being filled. The loneliness he had carried was gone, being replaced by a feeling he thought he would never feel again. Happy. As in "True Happiness" kind of happy. Angel felt complete. Carefully, Angel set Buffy back down. He broke the kiss and looked Buffy in the eye.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you, Angel," Buffy said smiling through her tears. Angel cupped Buffy's face.
"Buffy, marry me?"
End Chapter.
How's THAT? LOL Sorry for the delay. One more to go! I'm so excited, and sad at the same time! sniff sniff PLEASE REVIEW! The more I get the harder I try to post! See ya for the last post!