Chapter 17 The Guardian Angel
A/N: Here's the climax of the story and well if you've seen the movie you know what's about to happen. If you haven't seen the movie and know nothing about it then well be prepared to be sad. Enjoy.
Angel slowly woke up and smiled he looked down and Buffy was still on top of him sleeping. The fire was now just smoldering embers. He was so warm and thinking of getting up and moving made him cold. He let his finger tips glide up and down Buffy's back and he kissed the top of her head. He was so happy right now after all he's been through this was perfect. He wanted to wake up like this every day. The sun was creeping over the horizon but he didn't want to wake Buffy not for the world. Angel sat there and watched her sleep something he could do all day and night. He just laid there in the little bed feeling no need to get up.
Finally Buffy stirred away and looked around. For the both of them that was probably the best sleep they've had in years. Buffy looked up smiling seeing Angel and realizing it wasn't a dream. His smile was a full smile she did it she got him to fully smile. But then realized not only was he smiling at her there was something else.
"What?" She asked "Do I funny bed hair?" And was about to run her fingers though her hair. "Oh no not good." Angel giggled and she sat up.
"We're you goin'?" He asked as she tried to smooth out her hair without a comb and a mirror.
"To kill a cat on my head." She replied and Angel grabbed her pulling her close and she giggled and he gave a sweet kiss.
"I think you look perfect." He said and she rolled her eyes.
"Oh I really look perfect…ok." And she smiled as they stared into one another's eyes and then leaned in for another kiss. The kiss got heated once more and Angel pulled her closer. They pulled away and then rested her head on his chest again tracing random patterns but had a question for him. "We you ever afraid?" She asked and she looked up to Angel with her chin now on his chest. "At war were you ever afraid?" And Angel thought about it.
"Yeah I was I should be dead by now." And Buffy wanted to listen. "You never want to run towards gun fire but I did. There were many times I should have died both in battle and coming here. There many times they wanted me to become a leader but I refused I didn't believe in what I was fighting in." Angel looked down to her.
"I'm sorry." Buffy said. "I'm sorry you had to go through all that."
"There were some good things like some nights were so clear you could see the stars and they looked like little diamonds. Some sunsets you never thought you could so many colors." Buffy sat there and listened. "There was a lake I passed by once as fall started the lake was so still and the sky was so clear I didn't know which was a reflection and which was the actually land. And some sun rises I couldn't tell you where the land ended or when heaven started." Buffy sat there thinking that even though he saw so much hell he got to see some beautiful things. Maybe they got to see some of the same sun rises or sunsets.
"I wish I was with you," Buffy said as she laid in his arms. "I wish I was there." She wanted to cry and she felt him squeeze her.
"You were." Angel stated and she sat up looking into his eyes and then placed a hand on his cheek. She saw a smile tug at him and she leaned in for a kiss. Angel pulled her closer deepening the kiss. If they didn't pull away then they might be in the little bed all day but that was just fine with them.
"Hey Buffy you up?" A voice asked and the two stopped kissing and Buffy sighed and resting her forehead on Angel's chest as tried to hold back the laugh and some frustration.
"Yeah!" Buffy hollered back and looked up to Angel rolled her eyes and he smiled running his fingers though her hair and they were locked in each other's gaze.
"Got five hours before we get home!" Cordelia reminded Buffy and Buffy nodded still looking into Angel's eyes.
"Yeah be right there." Buffy said and leaned in kissing Angel not wanting to leave the warm bed or him and then started to kiss him. Outside the shack Cordelia sighed and rolled her eyes knowing what was going in there.
"You got ten minutes!" Cordelia informed them and they pulled away and Angel gave this mischievous smile like saying ten minutes is plenty of time and Buffy smiled back and he pulled her close rolling over and she giggled. Cordelia heard the giggling and rolled her eyes. "Oh please." She muttered to herself and walked away.
The couple finally got out of bed and Angel was fixing his sleeves on his shirt as Buffy sat on the bed tying her shoes. Angel came walking over fixing his collar so it sat nicely on the vest. Buffy stood up making sure she looked decent without any mirrors and Angel walked over to her wrapping his arms around her and she smiled and he leaned for a kiss. In an instant the kiss deepen and then Angel picked her up and spun slowly. He was still high from last night. They pulled apart as Buffy was still in his arms and she smiled and they rested their foreheads on one another's.
The couple finally came outside and Buffy headed over to Claire as Cordelia had most of the stuff packed and ready. The girls started to pack the bags on Claire and Angel joined in helping making sure everything was secure. Claire was ready and the plan was for Whistler and Oz ride Claire back to Black Cove. Buffy and Cordelia had yet to figure out where to put them. Possibly hide them in the seller. That or Oz stays with Willow and Whistler at the farm. Then you had Angel and Doyle. How could they hide four people without Riley knowing? Willow and Xander couldn't even hide two people what makes them think they can hide four. They would discuss tonight and Buffy dreaded the conversation to come. But one thing is for sure Angel wasn't leaving again.
"I'll lead the horse at a pace your daddy and Oz can tolerate." Angel informed Cordelia and she nodded ready to leave. "You two go ahead now." But that didn't sit well with Buffy and she shook her head. She didn't want to leave Angel's side never again she needed to be next to him.
"No I don't wanna do that." She looked up to Angel she just got him back. "No we can all go together." Buffy suggested and Angel didn't want to leave her side but for now this was the best idea.
"It's safer this way." Angel explained placing a hand on her cheek assuring her. "We're deserters no one has a quarrel with you." But that didn't deter Buffy she wanted Angel to stay close. Angel could see the pain in her eyes and he didn't want to leave her side either. But if he was going to risk her life then he would take a step aside until the dust clears.
"He's right." Cordelia agreed with Angel and Buffy looked to Cordelia and back to Angel and wrapped her arms around his waist and he put one arm around her. She wasn't going to let him go well she didn't want to at least.
"I gather I…" Angel started and looked to Cordelia. This woman as annoying as she was made sure Buffy was alive today so to be a gentleman and to say thank you he needed to ask for her permission. "I need permission from you Cordy if I reckon on livin' at Black Cove." And then Buffy looked to Cordelia with her eyes begging to say yes and Cordelia shrugged. Buffy looked so happy she couldn't take that away.
"All right then." Cordelia said yes and Buffy smiled. Cordelia then headed to the shack where her father and Oz were and Angel and Buffy stayed close. "You stay on that horse." She told her father as she got into the shack and Oz smiled and she looked at Oz meaning him too. "And don't lose it," She warned them both. "Or sell it gonna need it back on the farm." And then she made sure her father was bundled up to stay warm. "All right daddy."
Outside Angel came out of the other shack putting on his coat getting ready to help Whistler and Oz onto Claire and make the slow journey to Black Cove. This journey would be far better than the one he's been on. Buffy stood there as he made sure his coat was on and fitted right.
"I don't wanna let you go." Buffy said and he smiled walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her smiling. No more half grins and smiles it was a full one and made him look that much better. He leaned sinking down a little to her level and his heart was racing with excitement and love for her. He was ready to start a life with her.
"I'll be with you by nightfall." He assured her and leaned in for a kiss and she accepted. Nightfall needed to come quickly she was already missing him. But if she could go three years without him then she could go a few hours. Angel pulled her closer and picked her up off the ground and she smiled and hugged him trying to steal his warmth for the way home. She buried her face into his neck remembering how he smelt and she could stay like this forever. She then felt him kissing the side of her head and down her neck.
"Ugh," Cordelia muttered seeing them like two love sick puppies. Angel heard her and stopped kissing Buffy and set her down and Buffy looked up to him. He leaned in giving her one last kiss and she started to walk away. "All right then." Cordelia stated holding the shot gun and bow and arrow. Buffy grabbed her bow and arrow from her and they started to walk and she turned around making sure Angel was still there and he was. She smiled walking away ready for night to come. Angel waited until he couldn't see her anymore and then walked Claire over to the shack and helped Oz and Whistler on the horse. He then lead Claire at a nice even pace for them and knew they would be stopping often. As they walked Angel saw foot prints in the snow.
He had Claire stop and Oz and Whistler could tell he was up to something. Angel walked over to the tracks and they were horse prints. The only horse up here was Claire. Angel followed the tracks and then heard crunching in the snow as Oz followed him slowly clutching his side. Something wasn't right he could feel it in his gut. He walked Oz back over to Claire and then saw Buffy and Cordelia's foot prints across the way.
"Oh no," He said and both Whistler and Oz knew that wasn't good.
"It's Riley." Whistler said and Angel's worst nightmare was here. Buffy was out there all alone with no one to protect her well maybe that was the case for three years but not anymore. Angel collected three guns from the three Yankees he killed back ar Faith's place plus his own. He went to the sack on Claire and pulled them out and handed two to Whistler and Oz. It was time to end this once and for all.
The two girls were hiking down the mountain heading home and it'll be nice to sleep in their own beds. Buffy thought it would be nicer to sleep in her own bed with Angel. She couldn't wait to see him again.
"Hope that Doyle's been tendin' to the animals." Cordelia stated breaking the silence and Buffy smiled.
"I knew you were thinkin' on him." She pointed out she knew Cordelia liked him.
"I was not!" Cordelia protested to Buffy and the blonde smiled. "I was thinkin' on swollen udders."
"Oh!" Buffy laughed at her as Cordelia was losing this fight.
"And before you say "same difference"…" Cordelia was about to her attack and Buffy smiled. She knew what Cordelia was going to say.
"I'm sayin' nothin'!" Buffy said smiling as the girls talked. They maybe different and have different views but they got along. Buffy mellowed Cordelia out and Cordelia toughen Buffy up. It was a good balance for the most part.
"Oh Angel, Angel." She mocked Buffy and Buffy's face went blood shot red she really thought she was quiet last night. "That's all I heard last night." Cordelia said smiling and Buffy playfully shoved her friend. "Miss Lovey-Dovey! Miss Lovey-Dovey!" Buffy pulled Cordelia close as the five hour hike down would be a fun one as they had much to talk about and it would be mostly about boys. "Hey you think Willow likes Oz?" And Buffy looked to Cordelia and nodded. "Oh we need to so get them together." But then the innocent girl talk was ruin.
"Hey!" A voice called out and the two girls stopped dead in their tracks as the Home Guard surrounded them. Buffy's heart started to race and her first instinct was to call for Angel but she wouldn't do that. She wasn't going to risk his life not after all he's been through. Riley then came riding up and if Angel finds out that Riley's about to threaten her then he's got another thing coming. "That was a long funeral for your daddy." He said to Cordelia and the two girls got close. They had a rifle and a bow and arrow but that couldn't down these men they were outnumbered.
"That was a wake." Lindsey added and the girls looked to him as their hearts raced. Buffy looked into the woods hoping to see Angel. Angel was in the woods he was killer these day he knew how to sneak around and be quiet when doing it. He saw the Home Guard just up the way and drew his weapon he couldn't wait to shoot Riley dead.
"That was Irish." Riley said and Buffy knew why he made the Irish reference they heard their conversation which now Riley knew Angel was home. After this Riley was going to hunt Angel down. "Now your friend Doyle here…" And the girls saw him on horse with a man and he looked pretty beaten up and Cordelia's heart broke seeing him like that. "We went down to visit you when we heard you were harbourin' deserters and he told us, after some persuasion, you were up here." Buffy looked to Riley knowing what he wanted and how this all could get settled. Riley would make a deal and it would be if Buffy slept with him then maybe they could live.
"We were up and down this mountain." Lindsey meaning all night and most of the morning they've been searching for them.
"Up and down." Riley added on making it sound like it was the hardest thing to do.
"There will be a reckoning," Buffy looked to Riley and he sat there glaring at her as she threaten him. "When this war is over there will be a reckoning." She threaten him she was tired of this she just wanted to live in peace and with Angel back she wanted to live in peace with him.
"Did you make this coat?" He held up the coat Oz wore and Cordelia fought back the tears of fear. "Helpin' a deserter that's treason." Buffy looked around praying Angel would show up. "Now I know it's half horse and half reverend." And then Riley held up his gun. "A reckonin'? The reckoning's for your world it's not mine." And Buffy was ready to fight this man for her right to live and then across the way Claire came running and the men saw both Whistler and Oz on her. "I'll be damned they're hard bastards to kill." He pointed his gun to the horse and to shoot them.
" No!" Cordelia cried and held up her rifle and shot at a Home Guard man and then Lindsey fired back and Cordelia caught a bullet to the shoulder.
"Cordy!" Doyle yelled and started to fight his way off the horse and help. Then Buffy saw Angel charging through the woods taking out each man like they were target practice.
"Angel!" Buffy cried and then shot a man with her bow and arrow her first real moving target. Doyle ran to Cordelia and got her out of the line of fire while Whistler and Oz came riding down the hillside shooting the other members. Riley saw Angel and then started charging at with his horse and Buffy took another arrow and aim and let the arrow fly and it caught the horse in the leg and the beast went down. Riley stumbled to get out from under the horse as Angel held out his gun to finish him off but Riley grabbed Angel's hand and Angel ended up shooting into the snow. Riley threw Angel over his head and Angel landed on his back as Riley got away from his horse. Riley went to kick Angel but Angel lunged forward and tackled Riley to the ground and gave him a huge blow to the jaw. He's been waiting a long time to do that.
Riley was able to shove Angel off of him but it was a man against a war solider where killing came natural just like blinking. Angel rolled over and got up as Riley came charging and Angel stood there waiting and then jumped into the air and kicked Riley right where it hurt and then he kneed him in the face. Then another Home Guard member jumped on Angel's back and Angel wrestled with him. But then Oz gave a clean shot to the man's head and the man was down. Angel picked up his gun and saw Riley go after Buffy and that filled him rage. Buffy looked around and then picked up the rifle and swung it Riley hitting right in the face and he went down.
Buffy started to beat Riley with the rifle and then Angel came over pulling her away and held his gun up to Riley's face and pulled the trigger but nothing. Angel looked to his gun tossed it and Riley went to reached for his gun but when he looked up Angel had the rifle he made sure it was loaded and held it out with one hand pointing at his face and then pulled the trigger and Riley was gone. The shooting died down and then Angel saw Lindsey riding away as Whistler, Doyle and Oz fired at him.
"Stay here." Angel ordered Buffy and handed her the rifle and then he took Riley's gun and found an empty horse. "I'll be back." And Angel was off to kill the last of the Home Guard. Buffy wanted to chase after him but saw Cordelia needed help all of them did. Angel followed Lindsey's tracks in the snow. Then he saw him up the way and they were walking side by side at a distance.
"Come down from there!" Angel ordered and Lindsey shook his head no.
"No sir here is fine." Lindsey stated as Angel didn't break contact.
"I'll just shoot the horse out from under you." Angel stated he was done with this all he wanted was to go home, marry Buffy and live with her. He didn't want a war or to fight or to kill anymore.
"Riley dead?" Lindsey asked.
"I hope so." Angel knew he was he shot him at point blank range and his head was pretty close to exploding. "Look give me your gun and ride on home I'm done fightin' I'm sick of it!" Angel didn't want to kill anyone but if they posed a threat to him and now Buffy if anyone planned on hurting Buffy he'll kill them without any pity or remorse.
"I give you my gun you're gonna shoot me dead." Lindsey stated and Angel shook his head no. Angel was a man of his word and coming home to Buffy was proof he kept his word.
"I will not shoot you but nor am I goin' down this mountain lookin' over my shoulder for you." Angel's patients was running thin with this man now.
"That's what they call a conundrum." Lindsey stated and then stopped his horse. "I'll tell you what I got on my side."
"What you got on your side?" Angel asked gripping his gun ready to fire.
"The confidence of youth." Lindsey answered and then at the same time the two drew their weapons and fired. Lindsey took a bullet to the head and fell off his horse. Back at where the shooting was done everyone heard two shots go off and Buffy looked around and started to panic. Then she saw a swarm of black crows and tears started roll down her cheeks and she took off.
"No Buffy come back!" Whistler yelled as Doyle finished bandaging up Cordelia. Cordelia was about to go after her friend but Doyle held her back not knowing if there still men of Home Guard out there.
"I lost Angel once I'm not losing him again!" Buffy yelled and ran following the crows. On the horse Angel felt a stinging pain at his side and reached for it and his hand was covered in blood. He felt dizzy and then fell off his horse. He needed to get back to Buffy and got up holding his side. Buffy ran down the mountain side looking for Angel.
"Angel!" She cried out and he could hear her. He started to run towards her voice and Buffy ran down the mountain pass. Then she saw the crows from the well and Angel walking she stood still with tears and then Angel fell. "No!" She cried and ran for him. "No! No!" She skid to the ground and rolled him over as he laid there. Tears were flowing from her eyes and some fell on his face. He reached out and cupped her cheek and gave her the half smile she fell in love with as she leaned in closer.
"I...came…back." He whispered and she nodded and rested her forehead to his. "I always will." Buffy cried as she placed two hands on his cheeks.
"Please stay," She begged him. "I love you Angel." And she placed a kiss on his lips. "Stay this time." She felt him nodded. "Baby." She whispered and stayed close to him. She felt him place both his hands on her face. "Stay." And then he rested his hands on the ground. "Please stay." She begged again keeping close to him to keep him warm until help arrived. "Stay with me baby stay." She felt so cold now as she stayed with him. She wasn't going leave his side. For three years he dreamed of coming home looking at her picture dreaming of her. He survived war, he walked through death's valley, he was hunted, he's bled for a war he didn't believe in and he walked to his love all to get to her arms. Last night was the best night of his life and he would never regret what he's done. He got to love Buffy and feel her love in return and even if it was just a few short hours he felt more than satisfied.
Angel told himself if he was to die he wanted to die in her arms and only hers. She was warm and he was too. If he was to die he was dying happily as he made it home to Buffy and that's all that mattered. Buffy held him close her love came back just as said he would. She loved him more than anything and he treaded through hell and he came back to her. She placed another kiss on his forehead not leaving him. She then sunk to the ground and laid next to him with her head on his chest the way she slept in his arms last night. She held him never letting go. He was home now and that's all that matter Angel was home in her arms.
And now I run from an angry mob. One last chapter to go. Again for all those who know the movie you have an idea what the next chapter holds for those who haven't you're in the dark and will have to wait until chapter 18. But up until now I hoped you've enjoyed the story and yes Angel shot Riley down. Had to keep telling myself Angel's human not a vampire so he doesn't have all these vampire like moves. Anyways last chapter will be later comments and reviews are welcomed. Thanks for reading.