A/U- I did what I could, with what I had. Hopefully, it comes out good.
Rating- Well, I think it's a lot more mellow then the other story–that one was just violent.
Disclaimer- Im only allowed to own Daniel and Anne, 'cause...I created them. Joss owns everyone else.
Summary- I don't wanna give a summary, even though most people can already guess what this story's gonna be about. -
Promise Me
"What do you mean you cant explain to me why she died? You are the ones who took her, now explain why you did it!"
"Lower being, warrior of light, we cannot do as such. Just be prepared for the battles that await you."
"No, we're not finished..!"
Buffy was thrown and landed outside; the Powers that Be, nowhere in sight. Growling frustratedly she slammed her fist into the hard cement, cracking it slightly.
"Dammit!"
She screamed, looking up at the sky.
"And fuck you too, bastards," talking to the Powers.
Sighing, she stood and brushed off her clothing. Yet another time she went to see them, only to have them tell her they couldn't say anything about Anne's death and then throw her out. It sucked. Now, her only destination was home.
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She looked to her brother, then to Anne, who sat watching everything that happened.
"You can feel she misses and wants you back, cant you?"
Anne nodded sadly.
"But, doesn't everyone want their loved ones back after they've perished, sister?"
"Of course. But she's a special one. Most cant feel it, but she can. And..she misses them too."
"She was taken suddenly, of course she misses them."
"Can I go back?"
Anne asked suddenly, which caused both siblings to turn and stare at her. She knew her brother would be harsh with the child, so she dealt with speaking in this situation.
"Little one, it is quite impossible for us to send you back. There is no opening for you to be sent to them."
"You mean...they replaced me?"
"Of course they didn't, especially not the vampire. And the mother, she's distraught still, even after months and months of grieving. What is meant by opening, is a way to get you back. Your body is in the ground with no way to be brought up, and other then the portal that the warriors use, there is no connection between us and the lower beings."
Anne just nodded, upset that she'd never see her mother, or any of her family, ever again.
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When Buffy walked into the Hyperion, she saw Angel struggling with a demon and Wesley reading from a book in what sounded like Latin. She was about to help when she was thrown back; a huge portal opening in the middle of the room. She groaned and sat up, sighing.
"I am really sick of portals tossing me around like a rag doll."
Once Angel noticed the portal was open, he pushed the demon in. But the portal didn't close, even with Wesley reading the book.
"Okay, Wes, close it."
"I..I am. Or trying to.."
He continued to speak in Latin until he reached the end of the passage, and stopped. He looked at Buffy, then Angel, and sighed.
"I guess...it closes on its own."
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The three of them were downstairs in the apartment, drinking tea. Daniel was in his high chair, eating the baby food Buffy was feeding him. He had gotten so big, he'd be eating solids in no time.
Daniel rarely smiled after Anne had died, and when, on the rare occasion that they can make him smile, they'd cherish it. It upset Buffy and Angel a great deal to think that he had become a sad, somewhat miserable baby, from a happy, peppy baby. Just that in itself was depressing.
"What type of portal did you open? One that you put change in to keep it around for a few hours?"
"No. I-I don't know, Angel. Its...it was supposed to close. Something must be holding it open."
There was an extremely loud crashing sound from above them; in the lobby.
"I think whatever's holding it just stopped by to pay a visit."
They all got up to go inspect it, but Angel stopped Buffy.
"Stay with Daniel. We'll take care of this."
She sighed and sat back down, looking down at Daniel who was now in her arms. Smiling, she poked at him gently.
"Ya know, kid? You're really putting a cramp in my style."
It was one of those moments, he smiled.
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Angel came back down twenty minutes later, paler then he'd ever been. Buffy noted his expression, and stood.
"What? What is it?"
"You've...gotta see...I.."
Buffy walked over to Daniels playpen and put him inside, which only made him restless, nevertheless, the smile stayed on his face. She wondered what was going on.
She walked upstairs with him, only to be welcomed by a large mound of dirt with a coffin placed on top. In front of it, was a headstone. Anne's.
Buffy almost lost all she ever ate right there. Holding her stomach, she doubled over, almost falling, but Angel caught her.
A dark figure ran past them, and headed right down into the apartment. It was too fast to be seen.
"Daniel!," Buffy cried out, forcing herself to get back on her feet and race down after it, Angel following close behind. When they made it downstairs, they looked around, not seeing anything in the dimness of the apartment. Looking over at the playpen, Daniel was no longer inside. But then, she heard him squealing and laughing happily. Looking around and straining her eyes to see in the darkness, she saw him, in the corner of the room.
"Daniel," she whispered, hoping that he'd use his new crawling skills and crawl over to her. But he had different plans.
"Whoever you are," Wesley threatened weakly from the stairs. "Let the baby go."
Buffy rolled her eyes at the weak attempt and inched closer to them. Before Buffy could get any closer, the dark figure decided to emerge.
Two dark brown eyes were revealed. And as the rest of its face came out, a small nose and full lips were shown. But the look on its face was not friendly, not happy, it was confused, and ready to attack if anyone threatened.
It put Daniel down, but he still refused to leave it's side. It got on its hands and knees and crawled to the brighter side of the apartment, to be fully seen. When it came to a stop, Daniel crawled over to it and sat in its lap.
Buffy felt sick again. This couldn't be real.
Anne was back.
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"Angel, its not real. It cant be real."
"Its..its..."
He was still in shock. His daughter was on the floor, with his son. His dead daughter.
"Real."
Angel began to get closer to them both, while Buffy stayed behind.
"Anne?"
He asked, and she growled at him. He stopped moving and just stood in one place, trying to get on her good side, rather then staying on the 'Im gonna kill you' side.
"Anne, its me; daddy. Don't you remember? Remember..w-when mommy brought you to see me, you stayed with me and aunt Cordy? And then you met Kate? Who, Im sure you still hate. And Doyle. Remember? You used to love his accent?"
He was trying his best to get through to her, to reach her. It looked like it was working, but he wanted to be sure they had her completely back before making any rash movements.
"And-And remember we used to watch 'Beauty and the Beast' together? It was your favorite movie. We'd have our movie night together, eating popcorn, and watching 'Beauty and the Beast' with both Piggy and Mr Gordo. And you have to remember them. You love them. And then there's everyone else back home. Aunt Willow, aunt Dawn, aunt Tara; do you remember?," Buffy added.
Removing Daniel from her lap again, she tried to stand, but found she couldn't. She hadn't been in her own body for months. She had been somewhat of a higher being. She fell to her knees after trying to stand again, and just decided to crawl. Slowly at first, she made her way over to whoever was closer, and because her vision was blurry, she couldn't see good at all.
Shaking her head slightly, she continued to make her way over to them both, heading more or less towards Buffy. She could still sense her parents she was just having trouble telling one from the other.
"Ma.."
She cried out, unsure and her voice hoarse. Just her actions and the sound of her voice reminded them both just how long she was gone. When Anne finally reached her, both Buffy and Angel were in shock; complete and utter. Buffy wasn't sure if this was a dream or not, but all she knew was, it felt pretty damn real, and she was almost positive she was awake.
Anne's hand touched Buffy's foot, and she fell apart. Sobbing softly, she bent down and picked her up, and to Buffy's surprise, she didn't growl or attack her. Buffy held her up and stared at her for a moment, just examining her.
Anne's eyes darted about the room, examining and remembering. Buffy knew it was hard coming back from the dead, but at least Anne wasn't resurrected purposely and had to dig out of her own grave. Pulling Buffy from her thoughts was Anne whimpering, her arms outstretched to her. She wanted to feel that it was real.
Buffy embraced her slowly, but when she felt how familiar it was, how right, she held her closer and tighter. Her little girl was back, and everything was going to be alright.
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After the realization hit them all, Angel decided to stay with Daniel, while Buffy gave Anne a bath. Obviously, however she had gotten had been a rough ride, because she had been bleeding a bit when Buffy examined her. Her arms had minor cuts on them, and her hands were a bit roughed up too, but it was nothing Buffy couldn't fix.
Once she had the tub filled up, she undressed Anne carefully and put her in, hoping she'd decide to talk to her soon. Granted, she did call to her before, but she wanted her to say more. Anne did have quite the vocabulary. As Buffy washed her, she decided to speak to her.
"I...I missed you."
No answer. She just continued to stare at the faucet of the tub, almost ignoring her.
"I missed you a lot."
"I know, mama," she whispered softly, tearing her eyes from the shiny metal to look at her mother.
"I missed you too."
"How did you get back?," she asked tentatively.
"The Powers that Be."
"Why?"
"You."
"My constant visits?," she laughed nervously.
"Yes. I asked after you left."
"Today?"
She nodded slowly. It was hard for Anne to talk, and she was especially hesitant when it came to her coming back. It was a long and tiring experience, and Anne was ready for a nap.
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After her bath, Buffy dressed her and brought her to her room, so she could remember and examine everything about the room. Anne walked over to the bed and laid down. She looked over at her mother who was standing in the doorway, then down at her pillow.
"It smells like you."
"I..I slept here a lot. I missed you so much, and this room was all I had left of you."
Anne had no response, she just laid back down and reached next to her, grabbing the two pigs. She held them to herself, and looked up at her mother once more. No matter how long Anne could have been gone, Buffy knew that look anywhere. Sniffling slightly, she walked over to the bed and climbed in behind her, holding her.
"Love you, mama."