Forever, Always, and Then Some

Chapter 110

 

In the morning.

Sunnydale.

Oz pushes the stroller up to the house. He looks up to see Faith on the porch. He carries the stroller up the steps.

Oz: Faith, can I help you?

Faith: I stopped by on my to work to give Buffy the lowdown on last night.

Oz: She isn’t here. She and Angel will be back tomorrow night.

Faith: Oh. Dang. Is Will here?

Oz: Left for school. What do you need?

He lifts Conner up and unlocks the door.

Faith follows him inside.

Faith: Just wanted to let them know we had no luck last night but we will be back out tonight. We are checking the business surrounding the alley. Found a small vampire nest but no mafia demons.

Oz: I will let the others know.

Dawn walks down.

Faith: Hey kiddo.

Dawn: I am not a kid. (looks at Oz) What is she doing here?

Oz: Just reporting on last night.

Conner reaches for his aunt and she takes him.

Dawn: Hey tiger. You want to come in the kitchen while I get some breakfast?

Dawn and Conner go into the kitchen. She pulls a bowl from the cabinet and as she close the door she sees a movement out back. She pulls the curtain open wider and looks out. A flash of blue is seen amongst the trees. She sets Conner in his high chair and cracks open the door.

Oz: Are you going somewhere?

Dawn closes the door.

Dawn: No I saw a bird. A cardinal.

Oz: Oh, well do you want me to take Conner?

Dawn: I got him for now.

Oz: Okay just call me.

Oz leaves and Dawn throws open the door and steps out on the porch and looks around anxiously. She realizes that the yard is empty and returns to the kitchen.

Dawn: Conner, I think I am seeing things now.

 

At the resort.

Buffy slowly awakens and stretches in the warm sunlight that streams across the bed. Realization hits her and she reaches over to Angel’s side of the bed. Her hand feels nothing.

Buffy: Angel!

Angel: Morning sleepyhead.

She looks over and sees him lying on the sofa reading.

Buffy: God you scared me.

Angel: Sorry just thought a little bright light might get you up.

Buffy slips out of bed and heads to the bathroom

Buffy: The light did not bother me, it was the bladder.

Angel chuckles.

When Buffy returns to the room, she walks to the sofa and he slides over and she sits beside his hip.

Buffy: Morning Peaches. How long you been up?

Angel: A couple of hours.

He runs his hand into her hair and pulls her down for a soft kiss. She smiles into his face and then lies down beside him. He drops his book and takes her into his arms.

Buffy: Kinda crowded with all three of us.

Angel: I find it perfect.

Buffy: Me too.

Angel slides his hand over her abdomen and smiles.

Angel: Buffy, have you thought about Caitlin’s middle name?

Buffy: A little but I was hoping you would have an idea.

Angel: I do. I considered all our friends and family but I just don’t find any of them go right with Caitlin

Buffy: I didn’t either.

Angel: I do have one suggestion that I really like.

Buffy: Want to share?

Angel: What do you think of Rose?

Buffy: Caitlin Rose?

Angel: Yes.

Buffy: I like it and it will be after a family member.

Angel: Really? Who?

Buffy: Mom. She was Joyce Rose.

Angel: Oh, I didn’t know.

Buffy: Caitlin Rose Summers. I like the sound of that.

Angel: I do too but I am open to other ideas.

Buffy: I have none. I think Rose is perfect.

Angel smiles and kisses her.

Buffy: Caitlin, I think daddy and I just picked your middle name.

Angel: Think she likes it?

Buffy: She is not kicking the crap out of me so I guess so.

Angel: Funny. Now let me order you some food.

Buffy: Please.

Angel: Starving again?

Buffy: Always.

 

In LA

Cordy: What did Giles want?

Wesley: He wanted to know if I knew anything about some demons that have shown up in Sunnydale.

Cordy: Do you?

Wesley: No but I offered to help with the research.

Cordy: Volunteered all of us?

Wesley: You don’t want to help?

Fred: Of course we do. Just tell us what we are looking for.

Wesley: The group is known as the Order of Orephotifano. They are planning something that coincides with the full moon in Sunnydale.

Cordy: What? Open the hellmouth?

Wesley jerks his head up at her.

Wesley: Lord I hope not.

Fred: The hellmouth? The one you had under your school?

Cordy: That is the one.

Wesley: Well if that is the plan, then Sunnydale is not the only place in danger. If it opens, our world will be over run with all forms of demons.

Fred: And humans will be cows.

Wesley: Or dinner.

Fred: Oh. That is much worse.

Cordy: So is Angel staying in Sunnydale?

Wesley: According to Giles, Buffy and Angel are on vacation at some resort in the desert. They are expected home tomorrow night.

Cordy: So they don’t know yet.

Wesley: Willow and Giles did not feel it would be any help for them to rush home. Not like they are the best at research.

Fred: Did they earn another reward?

Wesley: Reward?

Cordy: She was asking if they took off because they could have sex.

Wesley: Oh the pendant. That I have no idea about. And actually I don’t intend on asking.

Fred: I hope they did. Angel could use a little pleasure.

Cordy: I would have to agree.

 

At the resort.

Buffy comes in the door.

Angel: Your back.

Buffy: You act surprised.

Angel: No, just thought you would enjoy being outside for a while.

Buffy: Why? When everything I want is in here?

Angel: So you don’t want to go lie by the pool for a little while?

Buffy: No, I want to curl up on the sofa with you and watch movies. Hope you like my choices.

Angel: Do I want to ask what you got?

Buffy: A variety. I got Jackie Chan’s First Strike.

Angel: Okay, so we can criticize his fighting skills.

Buffy: You know me so well. I also got Alien Resurrection.

Angel: A horror movie?

Buffy: So I can pretend to get scared and you can comfort me.

Angel: Now that I like. Anymore?

Buffy: Just one. I got another one by the same writer as Alien Resurrection.

Angel: More horror?

Buffy: No. I got Toy Story. Love how the girl and the mom are the best fighters.

Angel: Haven’t seen that one. Isn’t it a kid’s movie?

Buffy: I guess. But I like too.

Angel: So what we watching first?

Buffy: Your choice. Kids, fighting, or horror.

Angel: You said horror gets me snuggles, right?

Buffy: I did.

Angel: Then I vote for horror.

Buffy: You are so easy.

She turns on the TV and starts the tape. She sits down with him on the sofa and curls up in his arms.

Buffy: Oh and for your information. All three movies come with snuggles.

Angel: Glad to hear it.

He kisses the top of her head and they settle back for the afternoon.

 

 

In Sunnydale

Dawn is again looking out the back window.

Oz: Is that bird still out there?

Dawn: No. But I hope he comes back.

Oz: Well, I need to run to the store for a few things. Will you watch Conner?

Dawn: Sure. He is napping right?

Oz: He is and if he stays on schedule he will not wake up until I get back. I won’t be long.

Dawn: Take your time. I’m not going anywhere. Grounded. Remember.

Oz: I know. I will be back soon.

He heads out the door and Dawn turns back to the window. She stares toward the trees. As the sounds of the van fade away she sees a movement and runs for the door. She steps onto the porch and stares at the silent figure staring at her.

 

In LA

Fred: Wesley, I think I found something.

Wes: What is it?

Fred: I think I know why this full moon is so important. I am looking at the writings of Anderstot. He mentions the Full Sturgeon moon after the planets return to their rightful places.

Cordy: Planets moving?

Gunn: Neptune and Pluto, right?

Wes: Why yes, they swapped places. Neptune has been farther out that Pluto but I believe that has been corrected.

Fred: It has. This past February.

Cordy: And I am guessing a fish moon is coming up.

Fred: The August full moon is known as the Full Sturgeon Moon. According to Anderstodt, this moon is the one that precedes the Full Harvest Moon and has the power to elevate power.

Wes: So the everything will be ready for the harvest, next month.

Fred: Exactly. The power is there. All they have to do is tap into it.

Cordy: And all we have to do is stop them.

Gunn: Piece of cake.

The others just stare at him.

Gunn: Okay, maybe not.

 

In Sunnydale

There is a knock at the door and the door opens. Giles enters.

Giles: Willow. Dawn.

Dawn quickly comes in the back door and heads to the front hall.

Dawn: Giles? What are you doing here?

Giles: I came to help. Where is everyone?

Dawn: Well you know Buffy and Angel are on a mini vacation. Willow is in class and Oz ran to the store. Just Conner and me.

Giles: Okay I see. When will they be back?

Dawn: Which one?

Giles: Any of them.

Dawn: Oz should be back soon. Willow gets here about four and Buffy will be home tomorrow night.

Giles: So she does not know what is going on?

Dawn: Willow felt they needed the time more than we needed their help.

Giles: Probably right.

Oz walks in.

Giles: Hello Oz.

Oz: Giles, good to see you.

Giles: Same here.

Oz: I guess you are here to help with the new bad guys.

Giles: I am. I’m very concerned from what we have learned so far.

The phone rings.

Dawn: Hello

Wes: Hello, this is Wesley.

Dawn: Hey Wes. It’s Dawn.

Wesley: Dawn, I spoke to Giles earlier and he said he was on his way to Sunnydale. Have you seen him?

Dawn: He is right here. Let me get him. Giles!

Giles: What is it Dawn?

Dawn: Wes is on the phone.

Giles: Thank you. (takes phone) Hello Wes…………yes…………..Anderstodt, I am familiar with him…………okay that is good and bad……………….yes, please keep looking…………………….bye.

Hangs up.

Oz: Bad news.

Giles: Well they learned that this full moon coming up is the convergence of numerous mystical circumstances. It is confluence of events and if the demons are going to try to tap into it, they can draw the energy and do practically anything.

Oz: This full moon only?

Giles: Yes.

Dawn: So we keep them from doing it and the world is safe. No other time will do?

Giles: We think so.

Oz: So we just need to know what that would be.

Dawn: Open the hellmouth?

Giles: More than likely.

Oz: Can’t we bind it or something?

Giles: The kind of power that they will be trying to harness will be stronger than any binding spell.

 

 

At the resort.

Buffy is sitting at the end on the sofa watching TV while Angel lies with his head in her lap reading. She reaches down and strokes his cheek causing him to glance up and smile.

Angel: Hi beautiful, you need something?

Buffy: No I just love looking at you.

Angel: Looking or touching?

Buffy: Both I guess.

Angel: You bored?

Buffy: No. I am very content

Angel: Oh. Can I get you anything?

Buffy: Nope. I have fruit and drink right here beside me and you to look at. I am set.

Angel: Just let me know if you think of something.

Buffy: I thought of something.

Angel: What?

Buffy: I need you to kiss me.

Angel: You make such easy demands.

He lifts up and meets her lips.

Buffy: That was nice. Now read your book.

Angel: Yes ma’am.

He smiles and she picks up the remote and begins flipping channels.

Buffy: Hey Soap Net. All My Children is on.

Angel: Since when do you watch soap operas.

Buffy: Since I am home all day with Conner. Now hush I want to hear what Kendall is saying.

Angel rolls his eyes and goes back to his book. Buffy looks down and smiles. She watches the television while gently stroking his jaw. He takes her hand and kisses the palm.

© 2005 Tara