Bonded

Chapter Twenty-One

 

AN: I am not a nurse or doctor. I have attempted to get advice on the subject matter but have only gotten the sketchiest of help. So if I make any errors, I am sorry. I have done the best I can to be realistic.

 

 

 

Buffy grips the man’s throat as he claws at her hand.

Angel: Buffy, you can’t.

Buffy: Why not?

Angel: He’s human.

Buffy: So. Who cares?

Angel: We do.

He reaches out to touch her arm.

Angel: Baby, let go. Killing him won’t help Connor.

Buffy relaxes her grip but does not let go.

Buffy: Might make me feel better.

Angel: No it won’t.

He glares at the man.

Angel: You made a mistake coming here.

Holtz glares at him before looking at the green eyes of the woman only inches from squeezing the life from him.

Holtz: What kind of demon are you?

Buffy: I’m not a demon.

Holtz: You are not human.

Angel: You are so wrong.

He glances over the body of his love.

Angel: She is all human, well if you don’t count the slayer portion.

Holtz looks back at Buffy.

Holtz: Slayer? She isn’t the slayer. If she were she would have staked you already.

Buffy: Stake Angel? Are you crazy? Have you not understood anything? He is not what he was before. He has his soul.

Holtz: He is a demon and if you are the slayer it is your duty to destroy him.

Buffy: No. It is my duty to save the world and with Angel by my side we do just that.

She glances at Angel.

Buffy: Now what do you suggest we do, since you refuse to let me kill him?

Angel: I say we go inside, take a hot shower, get something to eat and get back to Connor.

Buffy looks at Holtz.

Holtz: Connor? Where is he?

Buffy: Well thanks to you he’s in the hospital. Which really makes me wonder why I'm talking to you?

Angel: Let him go love.

Buffy releases her grip and he slides to the ground holding his throat.

Angel: If we see you again, I may not be able to convince her you deserve to live.

Holtz: The Watcher’s Council should know about her harboring a demon.

Angel: Okay, I will be sure and tell her watcher when we get back to the hospital.

Holtz: He knows?

Buffy: Well duh. You still don’t get it.

She looks at Angel.

Buffy: Let’s go upstairs. I need to work off some tension.

Angel smiles.

Angel: And how do you plan to do that?

Buffy: Not sure. Might start with shagging your brains out.

She marches into the hotel with Angel following her with a smirk on his face. Both put the memory of the shocked older man out of their minds as they traipse up the stairs. As they enter their apartment, she kicks off her shoes and begins walking toward the bathroom. Every few steps an article of clothing flies through the air. Angel watches her wriggle out of her lacy panties in front of the bathroom door. She turns and throws them at him.

Buffy: I guess you don’t want a shower.

She sashays into the bathroom as he begins to divest himself of his own clothing. When he enters the bathroom he is faced with the sight of her naked ass in the air as she adjust the water. He moves closer and runs his hands along her hips.

Angel: Hold still love.

She looks over her shoulder as he rubs the tip of his erection over her moist lips.

Buffy: Going to do me here or in the shower?

Angel: Both.

He plunges into her hot dripping channel and begins to pound into her willing flesh. She grips the side of the tub to keep from being rammed into the wall and groans at the animalistic possession. But after only a couple of deep penetrating thrusts he drops to his knees and buries his face in her wet flesh. His tongue laps at her dripping core as his thumb dances over her swollen bud. Her moans echo back from the tiled walls as he expertly pushes her over the edge. He continues to taste her sweet nectar as she feels the pitches and rolls of pleasure consume her body. The fire repeatedly engulfs her until her legs buckle.

He reaches to steady her before stepping into the streaming shower. He lifts her in with him and closes the curtain. The water cascades over their bodies, and he lets it stream over his face taking gulping mouthfuls of hot water before looking at her serene face. He smirks and leans into her lightly panting lips. As her hands snake around his neck and hold him close, he grabs her soft round bottom. Lifting her off the ground he pivots and presses her back against the cool tile. She wraps her legs around his waist as he again fills her completely. She lets her head drop to his shoulder as he begins to rapidly rock his hips.

He can only last a few short minutes before being consumed by his own orgasm. His forehead presses against the wall as she begins to slide from his grip and sets her feet on the porcelain tub bottom.

The fear that was temporarily camouflaged by their unbridled lust comes crashing back in waves. They both solemnly begin to wash away the dirt and smells of the last 24 hours. It is with heavy hearts they dry their aching bodies and stumble into clothing.

Angel pushes her towards the small kitchenette and into a chair.

Buffy: Not hungry.

Angel: I know but eat anyways.

He sets about fixing her a sandwich and juice as he warms his own nourishment. He plops beside her and they sit in silence forcing the food into their starved bodies.

Buffy: I’m ready to go back.

Angel: Me too, but we are going to try and rest. Giles is right. We need to be ready if things get worse.

Buffy puts her hands over her face as she begins sobbing.

Angel: Oh baby.

He scoops her up in his arms and carries her to their bed. He settles her in close to his chest and softly kisses the back of her neck.

Angel: Have you decided what color we are doing the bedroom?

Buffy: What?

Angel: What color do you want to paint our bedroom?

Buffy: Oh. The bedroom.

She begins to try and focus on the distraction he is trying to provide.

Buffy: How about a light blue. You know like the sky.

Angel: Blue?

Buffy: And then midnight blue drapes and comforter. With lots of pillows in blue. You know different shades.

Angel: I like it. Blue silk sheets and down filled comforter.

Buffy: Uh huh. And one of those feather beds under the sheets.

Angel: All soft like a cloud.

Buffy: Uh huh.

They both lay cradled in each other’s embrace as they drift off to sleep.

 

Later

Buffy and Angel walk down the hall as outside the sun begins to make its appearance. They both stop and look into the small window in the door. Willow looks up to see them watching and comes out and Angel slips inside.

Buffy: Is he eating?

Willow: Yes. He has almost taken a whole bottle.

Buffy looks back into see Giles holding Connor and his bottle. Tears come to her eyes as she sees them together.

Willow: He is taking to the godfather job pretty easily.

Buffy: Uh huh. He would make an awesome father to any child.

Willow: Like he has with you.

Buffy turns to see the doctor approaching. The both of them stand silently watching as he stops to talk to the nurse. Buffy’s heart lodges itself in her throat as she waits for him. Willow takes her hand and gives it a gentle squeeze. They both do not even realize they are holding their breaths until he looks up and smiles. Two matching expulsions of air are heard as he walks closer.

Dr. Henry: Good morning.

Buffy cannot form words to respond.

Dr. Henry: I just checked your son’s test results and his liver function is almost normal.

Buffy: Normal? Like no damage?

Dr. Henry: No damage.

Buffy: Thank god.

Having used his keen hearing, Angel steps out into the hall and swoops Buffy into his arms.

Willow: Oh this is wonderful. And we don’t have to have to find a donor. He will be okay.

Everyone smiles as Willow says outloud what is going through all their heads.

Dr. Henry: He won’t need a transplant. But I think you might be pleased to know Miss Summers, that you are a match. We might not have had to look any farther.

Buffy looks at him and then at Angel. Both of their faces register unbridled confusion. The doctor steps into the room.

Willow: Buffy I think the hellmouth for once has worked for us. Well you know mystical energy and all that.

Buffy just nods as she buries her face in Angel’s chest and lets go of all her emotional control. He rubs her back gently as she sobs softly. No one notices the other man approach them.

Hank: Buffy?

All three look over at his tentative stance.

Hank: I just wanted to see how he was before I went to the office.

Buffy uses the back of her hand to wipe away the tears still streaming down her face.

Angel: He is doing better. We have so much to thank you for.

Buffy nods.

Hank: You don’t need to thank me. He is family.

The doctor steps out of the room.

Dr. Henry: He looks good. I am thinking we may be able to release him tomorrow.

Buffy: So soon?

Dr. Henry: If he continues like he is there is no reason to keep him.

Angel reaches out his hand and the doctor takes it.

Angel: Thank you so much.

Dr. Henry: You’re welcome. I will have the nurse remove everything but the saline drip.

Buffy: Can we go in?

Dr. Henry: Yes but still no more than two.

Buffy: Thank you.

The doctor turns and leaves. Angel looks at Hank.

Angel: You want to see him?

Hank: Of course.

Angel: Giles in there but I think I can keep Buffy out here a little longer.

Hank: Giles?

Buffy: Oh right, you don’t know him. Rupert Giles. He’s well, he’s Connor’s godfather.

Angel: He and Willow stayed with him while we went home for a couple hours.

Hank: Well let me go meet my grandson and his godfather.

Hank cautiously opens the door and looks at the man sitting in the chair cradling the baby.

Giles: Mr. Summers.

Hank: Hi. I just was hoping to get a peek at him.

He moves closer and looks into the bright eyes of the child.

Hank: I can see his father in him.

Giles: Do you want to hold him?

Hank: No, he doesn’t know me…………yet.

Giles just nods as Hank takes the baby’s hand.

Hank: Do you have any children, Mr. Giles?

Giles: No.

Hank: They are a wonder.

Giles: I believe they are. I would have to say your two girls are especially.

Hank: Which I have not been around to see. It seems my daughter did not even feel I would care she had a son. Not that I blame her. Haven’t been much of a presence the last few years.

Giles: No you haven’t.

Hank: Have you known them long.

Giles: Ever since they moved to Sunnydale. I was the librarian at the high school.

Hank: So you knew their mother also.

Giles: I did. She was an amazing woman and has raised two wonderful daughters.

Hank: And you fault me for not being there.

Giles: I do.

Hank: Well you’re honest.

Buffy slipped in the door.

Buffy: Sorry, I can‘t wait.

She swoops in and takes Connor from Giles.

Giles: I will leave you alone.

He steps outside as Buffy takes his recently vacated seat.

Hank: Buffy?

She looks up at him expectantly.

Hank: I know now is not the time but I would love to talk to you soon.

Buffy: Maybe.

Hank: And I would like to get to know Angel and Connor. Of course, if you all will let me.

Buffy: We will talk about it.

Hank: Well I better go, I know his father must be wanting to come in.

Buffy: I’ll call you.

Hank: Thank you. He is a cute little boy.

Buffy: Dad, thanks for helping him.

Hank: Don’t thank me, he is my grandson.

Hank steps into the hallway and nods at Angel before moving toward the exit. Angel moves into his son’s room and squats before Buffy and takes her hand.

Buffy: He seems to want back in my life.

Angel: Do you want him?

Buffy: I think so. What do you think?

Angel: It is your decision.

Buffy just nods as Angel caresses the top of Connor’s head.

 

 

Six Weeks Later

Buffy stands looking around at the bedroom. Except for two large boxes and her large weapons trunk, it is empty. She is taking one more look around as Xander helps the others load Dawn’s and Willow’s boxes in the U-Haul.

Angel: You okay?

Buffy turns to see Angel and Conner framed in the doorway.

Buffy: Yeah. It just seems weird to see it so empty.

Angel: Are you having regrets?

Buffy: No, I want to move to the mansion. It just feels like I’m leaving mom behind.

Angel: She will always be in your heart.

Buffy: I know. It’s just there are memories of her all over this place. And well, I did not get to tell her good bye when she died and now I am just leaving her memories behind, too.

Angel: You are not selling the place.

Buffy: Yes, but in two weeks there will be another family making memories here.

Angel: Strangers?

Buffy: I just wish I could have told her goodbye and I loved her once more.

Angel: She knew.

Buffy: If I could……….

She suddenly spins around and slides to her knees in front of the trunk. As she jerks the lid open, Angel walks closer.

Angel: What is it?

Buffy digs around quickly and pulls out a small metal box.

Angel: Buffy, don’t.

Buffy: Why not?

Angel: We can’t change what happen.

Buffy: I know. I just……….please. Only a couple minutes. We won’t tell her.

Angel: We?

Buffy: Yes. Us. The three of us.

Angel: Buffy.

Buffy: I want her to see him too.

Angel: It is not right.

Buffy: Nothing in my life is ever right. But for once I want the wrong to work for me. I just want a couple minutes with my mother.

She stares at him with tear filled eyes.

Buffy: No one will ever know but us.

Angel looks at her and frowns but slowly nods his head. Buffy jumps up and opens the box. She quickly buckles the band around her wrist. She looks around the room and moves to the other side.

Buffy: We should stand over here where there was never any furniture.

Angel nods and moves closer to her. He watches as she fiddles with the settings and then wraps his arm around her waist. Conner is safely tucked between them when she hits the button.