A/N: Hello, beautiful people! How are you on this terribly, awful, despair-enducing Monday? Can you tell I don't like Mondays? The only thing that gets me through them is the knowledge that to get to Friday, I must get through Monday...
Okay, on to more important things! Buffy! Angel! Watchers! Wesley! Giles! Scoobies! They are ALL in this chapter! I'm excited. Are you excited? :D
On a slightly depressing note, which is most definitely deserving of some hardcore brooding, my life has been hectic. The past three weekends I've been too busy to write. Then, during the week, I'm too busy with schoolwork to write. I keep thinking it will lighten up, but something else comes up. Like starting this week I thought it would get a lot better...except that we were assigned a book in English last week and have to have read to pg. 110 and answer the corresponding questions to each chapter by Wednesday. So, I'll be busy doing that. Shouldn't take me too long, I mean, after all, I read and write and breathe (that's my life in a nutshell). Anywho, the point in this congealed mess is that I only have two chapters already written left. Which means that after chapter 20 (there's 6 more chaps after that), I've got nothin' and I have no idea when I'll have the time to make that nothin' a somethin'.
This is just my warning to you that after the next two chapters, updates probably won't be every day. They'll be whenever I barter enough time with the PTB to write a coherent chapter. Just a warning.
And on that just gloriously happy note (previous line to be read with great sarcasm), let's get on with the chapter!
Random Disclaimer: (I do not own Buffy).
Buffy: Okay, can I go home now?
Booth: Are you being held against your will?
Buffy: Angel, look! It's the older you again!
Angel: And it's still as creepy as last time.
Booth: (to Angel) Hey, come on, we're a good looking guy.
Brennan: Your facial symmetry is quite pleasing. I've told you this before, Booth.
Booth: (grins) Apparently, we have great acromion. That's the squinty word for shoulders.
Me: (sighs dreamily) Yeah...wait? What are you guys doing in a BTVS disclaimer? Gah, I have to stop watching all those BONES promos...
Eye of the Beholder Chapter 18
This time when Buffy woke, she was much, much more comfortable than the previous morning. She was still in the same small bed, but this time she had company. With a sleepy smile, Buffy turned her head so that it was buried in Angel's good shoulder.
Angel himself was already awake and had been for a while. His mind hadn't wanted to rest, so he'd contented himself with holding Buffy in his arms and feeling her chest rise and fall against him. He heard her breathing speed up and knew that she was awake. Absently, he began trailing his fingers up and down her arm.
"I don't want to move," Buffy said sleepily, burrowing deeper into his shoulder.
Angel smiled slightly. "We have to. We've got to get this over with."
"That," Buffy sighed. "Is a good point…ten more minutes?"
"Five."
"Seven."
"Deal," Angel grinned as he turned on his side, wincing slightly at the pain the movement caused.
Buffy looked at his chest, taking in the three long scratch marks that were red and jagged. Her gaze drifted up to his shoulder, which didn't look much better. Then there were the two holes from the crossbow bolts, one on his shoulder and the other on his bicep.
"You're not healing as fast as normal," Buffy observed softly, lightly trailing her fingers over his chest.
"Tired," Angel answered easily, not really wanting to discuss the real reason. "Not really been living the life lately."
"You haven't had any blood since we left California," Buffy saw right through his little white lie. "And you've lost blood fighting."
Angel sighed and rolled onto his back. "It's no big deal. I've gone longer without it."
"Maybe I can get Giles to sneak you some," Buffy said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"Yeah, I bet the Watchers will really support that idea," Angel replied dryly. "I doubt they'd even let him leave."
"Wes then," Buffy shrugged as much as she could lying down. "Trust me, I can totally make this work."
"Just let it go Buffy," Angel said as he sat up and got out of bed, walking over to the fireplace and stoking the flames back to life.
Buffy sat up in the bed, wrapping her arms around her knees. She laid her head down on her arms and watched Angel move around the room, pulling on a shirt and beginning to pace.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked softly, causing Angel to halt his pacing and look at her.
His gaze softened when he saw her, looking so small in an already small bed. Angel crossed the room and sat down on the bed beside her, putting his arm around her and pulling her close. He placed a soft kiss on her temple, before pulling back to look at her.
"I'm just worried," Angel admitted honestly. "About you, this Review," he sighed. "Giles is fired. They have the power to keep you here if they choose. The prophecy, well, I don't even want to think about that too much."
"Not worried about yourself?" Buffy asked before answering her own question. "Of course not."
Angel gave her a rueful smile.
They were both silent for a moment and Buffy laid her head on his shoulder. "I'm scared, Angel," she whispered and Angel held her tighter.
"I know."
Giles, Buffy, and Angel stood before the Council, each of them wearing a different expression.
Giles was steady and calm on the surface, yet there was a worried light in his eye. He refused to show anything more, as he knew that whatever verdict was reached, he would be going with Buffy one way or another. Loyalty was indeed something he possessed, and Buffy had secured it steadfast a long time ago.
Buffy was nervous. Her eyes darted among the faces of the Watchers that she had dubbed the jurors in her mind. Some of them looked bored, some excited, others looked at her with a mixture of confusion and fascination as they continued to glance between her and Angel.
Angel was solemn. His gaze never wavered from Travers as he watched the man gather himself and his notes that Angel knew for a fact he didn't need. They were just for show, much like Travers himself. Whatever the outcome of this Review, as long as Buffy was alright Angel didn't care what circumstances befell him.
Travers finished his whispered conversation with his peers and turned to face the three before him. In his hand he held the Scrolls of Aberjian. "Let the record state that the concluding date of the Review of Slayer Buffy Anne Summers was the twenty-first of July, 1998."
Travers waited a moment before delving into the matter at hand. "Buffy Summers, you are aware of your charges?"
"Yes."
"Just to clarify," Travers began. "You, knowing the illegality of your actions, told civilians of your Calling?"
"Yes."
"And you completely disregarded the Handbook?" Travers pursued.
"Yes."
"And last, but certainly not least, did you allow the vampire Angelus to live when you had the chance to kill him?"
"Yes."
"Buffy Anne Summers the Council finds you guilty of all charges," Travers replied quickly, but swiftly raised his hand to ward off the protests he knew would come. "However, due to some rather—fortuitous circumstances," he glanced from the Scrolls to Angel before settling his gaze on Buffy. "The Council is willing to overlook this ruling on the condition that come your eighteenth birthday you submit to a test of your skills and intellect."
Giles' gaze immediately hardened, but he remained silent.
"Miss Summers, do you agree?" Travers inquired in a clipped tone.
Buffy glanced from Giles to Angel and then back at Travers. "Yes."
"Is that all?" Giles asked coldly. "Or are we free to go?"
"Not just yet," Travers smiled slightly, an anticipatory light in his eye. "There are two more matters to discuss. The first, being the Scrolls of Aberjian and Angelus."
Travers gaze settled on Angel. "As I'm sure you are all aware, the idea that the Watcher's Council would simply let a vampire walk out of our headquarters is completely ludicrous. However, after a very thorough examination of Mr. Wyndam-Pryce's translations, we have come to agree that the Scrolls do indeed refer to a vampire with a soul who, one day, upon completing his destiny, will become human."
"Because of this," Travers said heavily as if it were almost physically painful for him to speak his next words. "Because of this, the Council is willing to let the vampire Angelus live…"
Buffy gasped, her heartbeat skyrocketing as she waited for Travers to finish.
"…as long as he never, by whatever means, loses his soul again," Travers finished. "We will be Watching," he warned.
Travers suddenly smiled, his favorite announcement on the tip of his tongue. "And I believe our last matter to discuss is Mr. Giles' replacement."
Buffy wanted to interrupt, saying that no one could ever replace Giles and she refused to call anyone else her Watcher, but things were going so well, and she didn't think it would be a good idea to test the already rough waters.
Travers, obviously expecting (and hoping) for an outburst was slightly disappointed when there was none, and continued, "We have chosen a replacement that we think will benefit you highly. He's one of our brightest and most loyal Watchers and follows the Handbook to the letter."
Buffy felt her heart drop. Crap.
"Mr. Wesley Wyndam-Pryce."
Buffy fought to control her expression, because frankly she was on the verge of jumping up and down and doing a ridiculously relieved happy dance. Wes! Someone, somewhere, was on her side.
Deciding to play the part that Travers obviously wanted to see, Buffy frowned and made a decidedly unhappy face, looking at Wesley, who had entered the room when his name was called. Seeing her frown, Wesley himself frowned, as if he too was not thrilled by the situation.
"Mr. Giles," Travers said. "You will not interfere with Mr. Wyndam-Pryce's job, is that clear? If you do, the Watchers can see to it that you are deported and will never see Miss Summers again."
"I'll stay out of his way, if he stays out of mine," Giles replied evenly.
Travers seemed to look around for a moment before seeming to shrug. "The Review of Buffy Anne Summers is officially concluded. Good day."
It was a very quiet flight back to California, as all of them were tired. Not wanting to fully miss the sightseeing opportunities that London offered, Buffy had begged and pleaded to have Giles show her around. Angel had accompanied them, seeing as how it was a rather cloudy day out, and they had umbrellas just in case. Wesley had declined to go with them, stating that he needed to pack and prepare for their journey.
Buffy decided that Wesley, while he had the potential to be pretty cool, was in a desperate need to live on the wild side just a little. Buffy wondered how she could help facilitate this…maybe a nice leather jacket? Not too edgy, but definitely a few points up in the 'cool factor.' She'd have to go gently with him.
After sufficiently traversing London, well, as much as you could traverse in a day, they had all met at the airport and taken the Watchers private jet back to California. After all, it was only fair.
Buffy slept most of the way, her head resting on Angel's now healed shoulder (somewhere along the line he'd managed to sneak off and find some blood). Angel held one of Wesley's books in his hands, flipping through the pages, only reading half of the words on the page before turning to the next.
Buffy's warm breath on his neck was a distraction, although a pleasant one.
When they finally landed, the Scoobies and Joyce were waiting for them.
"Buffy!" Willow smiled brightly, throwing her arms around her jet-lagged best friend. "We were so worried!"
"I'm fine Wills," Buffy hugged the redhead back, and then pulled away only to be pulled into another hug by her mother.
"I missed you," Joyce whispered as she stroked her daughter's hair. "How was London?"
"Rainy, old, but kinda cool," Buffy answered with a tired smile. "It had the whole 'history' vibe goin' for it."
"Did you see the London Bridge? Or the Tower of London? Big Ben? St. Paul's?" Willow asked excitedly.
"I promise you details Will," Buffy said, slightly overwhelmed by her friend's enthusiasm. "But…later, okay?"
"Oh, yeah, I here jet lag is really bad," Willow said nodding. "Of course, I've only ever flown once, and I was real little so I don't remember it. But I always liked to think it was a fairly awesome experience."
Buffy just nodded, and looked past them. Xander offered her a little wave and a nervous smile, "Hey Buff."
"Hey Xander," Buffy smiled, glad there didn't seem to be a confrontation in the works. She was way too tired for that.
"Uh, who's that guy?" Cordelia asked, pointing a finger at Wesley, who was staring at her like she had a halo over her head (which didn't bother Cordelia one bit).
"Oh, that's my new Watcher," Buffy answered. "Say hi Wes."
"Hi." Wesley made a little awkward wave, his eyes straying from Cordelia for a moment before he seemed to collect himself. He cleared his throat, "Um, yes, Wesley Wyndam-Pryce…that's me."
Oz leaned over and whispered in Willow's ear. "I'm getting a hootenanny vibe."
"Uh huh," Willow whispered back.
Buffy tossed her bag in the corner of her room, changed into her pajamas robotically, and then fell into bed. Even though she'd slept on the plane, she still felt like she'd tried to run a hundred miles. All she wanted to do was sleep.
An hour later she was still trying to go to sleep.
After tossing to her opposite side for the twentieth time, Buffy finally huffed in frustration and threw back the covers, nearly jumping out of bed. She quickly put on some tennis shoes before quietly opening her window and slipping out.
Buffy walked carefully along the roof and then hopped into the tree in front of her house, climbing down until her feet touched the grass. Quickly, she made her way to Angel's apartment.
Buffy's fist had barely touched the door before Angel had opened it and pulled her inside. They held each other for a long moment, before Buffy murmured, "I can't sleep."
"Me either," Angel replied before kissing her lips, slowly backing her towards the bed.
Home, sweet home.
Everybody go, Awwwwww...yes, I know, I'm spoiling you guys with the fluff. But hey, like I said last chapter, fluff is definitely deserved after all this drama!
But, alas, the drama is just around the corner! We start with rewriting episodes next chapter! "Faith, Hope, and Trick" is up to bat!
Oh, and I'm thinkin...I, during a weekend long ago, wrote the first five chapters of the AISHB sequel. I'm thinking that to get you guys all hyped up for it, I might give you a line from a chapter in my following ANs. What do you think?
Just to give you a little taste, cause I'm anxious myself to post that story:
This is from Chapter 5..."We're in this together." - Angel
Wonder to what that may refer? :D
Reviews make my day,
ArthursCamelot