Forever, Always, and Then Some

Chapter 113

 

Thursday August 22, 2002

3AM

Buffy appears to be in bed asleep. Her bedroom door opens. She slowly opens her eyes and looks at the figure.

Buffy: Hi.

Angel: Hey, didn’t want to wake you.

He slides in behind her and she turns to face him.

Buffy: Did everyone get here okay?

Angel: Yes. We parked the vehicles at the Magic Box and walked here. Everyone else is downstairs trying to sleep.

Buffy: Not sure any of us will get much real sleep until this is over with.

Angel: Well we need to try.

Buffy: Might be easier now that you are with me.

She runs her hand into his hair and leans forward capturing his mouth with hers. He pulls her tight as their lips and tongues merge and tangle. Her hands roam freely over his shoulders and back . His cool skin warms at the touch. As her hands become more familiar with his form, he pulls back.

Angel: Buffy, we can’t do this.

Buffy: I know. Just trusting you to have the level head.

Angel: Oh. So you ready for sleep?

Buffy: Yes.

She rolls over and he curves around her. His hand resting on her blossoming middle.

 

 

Later that morning.

Dawn is alone in the kitchen. She glances out the window. Noticing a movement amongst the trees, she glances around. When she is sure no one is watching her, she darts out the back door and toward the trees.

In the living room.

Cordy: Okay so who is up for some breakfast?

Wesley: I think we all are.

Giles: Well the girls stocked the fridge and cabinets. You should be able to find something.

Cordy: Great. So who is doing the cooking?

Wesley: Well not you of course. I have seen you attempts at domesticity.

Cordy: Hey, you are not much better.

Giles: Why don’t I cook? So you tow will stop this bickering.

Angel walks in.

Angel: I’ll do it Rupert. I always do.

Giles: Okay if you don’t mind. My attempts at American fare is sorely lacking.

Xander: I agree. Angel, I much prefer you skill with a skillet.

Cordy: I think there was a compliment in there somewhere.

Gunn: So while Angel awes us with his kitchen skills. What say we straighten up in here?

Cordy: I guess. Where did Buffy get all these mattresses anyway?

Giles: Faith got them actually. They are the ones the furniture store hauls away when someone buys a new bed.

Cordy: Oh and you disinfected them I hope.

Giles: Yes. Buffy did it herself. She figured with all these out of town invasions, she needed to be better prepared.

Fred: She is so right. Where is she anyway?

Angel: Sleeping I hope.

Buffy: Not anymore. If you want me to sleep in, then take Conner with you.

Cordy: Oh Conner. Can I take him?

Buffy: Ask him.

Cordy holds out her hands and Conner curls up on his mom’s shoulder.

Buffy: Sorry. He does that a lot.

Cordy: That’s okay. He doesn’t remember me.

Buffy: But I bet he will let you feed him his breakfast. He won’t turn food down.

Angel: Like his mom.

Buffy: No comments from the peanut galley. Or should I say peanut butter galley.

Willow snickers and everyone else looks at her.

Buffy: Willow behave.

Willow: I’m trying

Cordy: I do not want to know.

Angel: I’ll do the bacon and eggs but could use help with the toast.

Buffy gets Conner in his high chair.

Buffy: Where is Dawn? She could help.

Cordy: She was in the kitchen a little earlier.

Everyone looks around. Willow goes upstairs. It is soon clear she is not in the house. Buffy opens the backdoor.

Buffy: Who unlocked the door?

Giles: I am not sure. It was locked when I laid down last night.

Buffy walks into the backyard and looks around. She walks around front. No sign of Dawn anywhere so Buffy comes back in.

Buffy: So she was in the kitchen the last time anyone saw her?

Cordy: Yes, right before Angel came down.

Angel: She can’t have gotten very far.

Buffy: She knew not to go outside today.

Willow: Buffy, relax. She is okay. We will find her.

Buffy: I only see two possibilities and I do not like either one.

Giles: You think they grabbed her for the bait.

Buffy: Either that or she snuck off to see Pike.

Angel growls: What!

Buffy: Oh yeah I was going to tell you tomorrow. Did not want to cause any fights until after tonight. I found out that Pike has moved to Sunnydale.

Angel: And you have not done anything about it?

Buffy: What did you want me to do? Giles made it clear we have to stay positive and if I came down now it could big problems.

Angel: So you let her sneak around doing what ever she pleases.

Buffy: No I don’t. I talked with his landlady and she assures me that he is not allowed female visitors in his place. She has met Dawn and promised to contact me if they tried to break the rules. And on top of that Faith has been checking on her when she goes to the Bronze. They are there every time she says she is. So far it has been strictly talking and dancing.

Angel: And you are going to let her get away with lying?

Buffy: No but it is not the time to make a big scene.

Giles: Buffy is right. No matter how hard it is to accept, we can not risk anyone of us being upset.

Angel: So where is she? You think she went to his place?

Buffy: I will go find out. Willow?

Willow: Sure, lets go.

Buffy: Call me if she shows up .

Giles: We will and I don‘t have to warn you to be careful.

Buffy: I will.

The drive over to the house. Buffy gets out and heads toward the garage. The garage door is open revealing Pike working on a motorcycle. He looks up.

Pike: Buffy?

Buffy: Pike. I just have one question. Where is Dawn?

Pike: She is not here. Isn’t she at home?

Buffy: Is she was home do you think I would be out looking for her. I know you have both been sneaking around behind my back for a while and this morning she left without a word to anyone.

Pike: Well she didn’t come here. Did you ask Janice?

Buffy: Not yet. She would have no reason to sneak over to Janice’s house.

Pike: So you have known we were together, why have you no said anything?

Buffy: Because there is too much other stuff going on and I did not need a fight with Dawn right now. Or with you.

Pike: Oh is it about those emotion demons?

Buffy: Yes. I guess Dawn filled you in. Just be assured, that after this is over, I will not be as gracious.

Pike: I know. But Buffy, you need to know I do love her.

Buffy: Please. Not now. We will discuss this tomorrow. That is if we have a tomorrow.

Pike: Do you want my help finding Dawn?

Buffy: If you can think of where she might be, find her and get her home. If we don’t find her I am scared where she might be.

Pike: You think they got her.

Buffy: Yes. Now I better get back to the house before Angel comes looking for us both.

Pike: He is here?

Buffy: Everyone is here. We have to prepare for tonight.

Pike: Can I help?

Buffy: Help by finding Dawn.

Pike: I will try.

Buffy heads to the van and drives home. She tops at Janice’s in the way with no luck.

 

Later that afternoon.

Buffy has contacted all Dawn’s friends and she is not to be found. Everyone concludes that she has been chosen as the bait.

Buffy: Well if they wanted to assure I would come they made a good choice.

Angel: Buffy we will get her back. Nothing will happen to her.

Buffy: I hope you are right. I guess we need to do this. Is Lorne ready?

Angel: Just waiting for everyone to get settled.

Buffy: Then lets go.

They enter the living room and join the circle of friends sitting on the floor.

Lorne: Okay guys. Wesley asked me to help in getting all the negative feelings and concerns out in the open.

There is a knock on the door.

Buffy: Faith can you get that?

Faith gets up and answers the door.

Pike: Hello. Can I see Buffy?

Faith: B, it is the boyfriend.

Angel look sup and growls.

Buffy: Calm down. Faith tell him to come in.

Pike steps in and Angel barely contains his anger.

Pike: I am sorry to disturb you but I have been all over town. She is no where. Have you heard anything?

Buffy: No. We are pretty certain they grabbed her as bait.

Pike: Bait for what?

Buffy: Bait to insure I show up for their little party tonight.

Pike: So why are you not out getting her back?

Buffy: Because we have no idea where they are.

Giles: Our only hope is to meet them tonight and get her back and stop the ritual at the same time.

Pike: So in the meantime you sit here playing duck, duck goose?

Giles: No we are trying to make sure that the demons can not turn our emotions against us.

Lorne: Okay. I am sensing some major problems here. Angel’s feelings are ricocheting off the walls. I think Pike here needs to join us or we may have major stumbling block.

Buffy: I think your right. Pike would you please sit down.

Pike looks around and then sits in the spot quickly made for him.

Lorne: Okay I was going to start elsewhere but I think I need to try and clear this anger up. Angel, if you can please calmly as possible tell everyone why you are so angry.

Angel: Everyone knows why.

Lorne: We need it in words.

Angel: Because that piece of filth tried to take advantage of a 16 year old child.

Lorne: Fair enough. Pike, is that accurate.

Pike: Actually it is. But it is not how it sounds. I met Dawn and thought she was nice and she was Buffy’s sister and I thought I would be nice and show her a good time since I knew Angel couldn’t.

Angel growls.

Pike: Not that he didn’t want to. He just has limitations. But the more time I spend with her the more I admired her spunk, her energy, her thoughts. I began to forget she was only 16. She was not like other 16 year olds I had met. She was more experienced.

Angel growls.

Pike: Not as in sexually experienced but as in life. She had gone through a lot in her years. So I did exactly what I am accused of. I let myself become more involved than I planned. I never intended on loving her but I did. And she loves me.

Buffy: She is a child.

Pike: Just like you were a child at 16? She may not be the slayer but she has grown up awful fast just being your sister. Not that I think she is ready for sex. We just got carried away. And I am actually glad Angel caught us before went to far.

Buffy: So you don’t want to sleep with her?

Pike: I didn’t say that. I just don’t think she is ready for that kind of relationship even if she is mature.

Lorne: Angel, can you speak.

Angel: Yes. I am not comfortable with him being anywhere near her.

Buffy: I agree. But I know better than to try and issue ultimatums. If I do then I have two choices. Keep Dawn grounded until she is 18 which won’t work and will assure she never speaks to me again. Or I can lay down strict guidelines that will be adhered to or I revert to option one.

Angel: You are not suggesting letting them date?

Buffy: Not at first. I am suggesting having her meet him here with on other adult present.

Angel: I don’t like it.

Cordy: Angel, you have to be realistic. Buffy is right. Nothing is more attractive that that which we can not have. And besides you should know that a sexless relationship is possible.

Angel looks at Buffy and she smiles.

Lorne: I feel some calming of emotions, but still not enough. Angel, what would make you happy?

Angel: Ripping his throat out might help.

Lorne: Okay there is that. But true happiness is not what we need here.

Everyone laughs.

Angel: I know. Just fantasizing.

Buffy: Oh and I thought I knew all your fantasies. Actually I thought I was in most of them.

Angel smiles: You are.

Lorne: Angel, any more ideas.

Angel: No but can’t move on.

Lorne: No because we need everyone to be in good harmony with no negative feelings.

Pike gets up and walks across the circle and kneels before Angel.

Angel looks into his eyes.

Pike: I know you hate me and you have every reason to but I am scared for Dawn and I will do what ever it takes to assure her safety. If that means allowing you to punish or even kill me to make this better then do what you must.

Angel: Don’t tempt me boy.

Pike: I am serious. Do what you want to me, I don’t care as long as Dawn is okay.

Angel clinches and unclenches his fist. Buffy watches as he fights within himself.

Buffy: (m) We all need forgiveness everyone once in awhile. Even scumbags.

Angel glances at her. He looks into her eyes.

Angel: (m) Can I hit him tomorrow?

Buffy: (m) We both can.

Angel laughs.

Lorne: I am not sure what she just said but I think we have a breakthrough. Angel?

Angel: I’m okay. But Pike this isn’t over.

Pike: I know it isn’t.

He heads back to his spot and sits down. The continue opening and resolving issues. As each issue is discussed and dealt with, Lorne moves on. Hours later he looks around the group.

Buffy: Is that it?

Lorne: Not quite. I have been trying to figure something out here.

Buffy: What?

Lorne: What is the issue between you and Angel?

Buffy: We have no issues.

Lorne: Yes you do and it is not going away.

Buffy: There is no problem.

Lorne: Angel?

Angel: Buffy come with me.

He stands up and pulls her to her feet. Everyone watches as they walk up stairs.

Cordy: I don’t like this.

Willow: If there is a problem they can work through it.

Cordy: But how come they are hiding it from us? We all exposed ourselves here.

Willow: If they can work it through alone then what is the problem.

Giles: I agree. Let’s just give them a few minutes.

Wesley: Might I suggest we all start heading out. I assume everyone remembers where they are suppose to go.

Gunn: You have told us enough times.

Wesley: I guess I have.

 

Upstairs.

Buffy and Angel walk into the room. Angel locks the door as Buffy sits on the bed.

Buffy: So where do we start?

Angel: Not sure but we have to deal with this together.

Buffy: I know. You are mad because I did something I felt so right about. Something I don‘t regret.

Angel: But is was wrong.

Buffy: Why? It hurt no one.

Angel: What about Caitlin?

Buffy: I would never do anything to hurt her and you know it. Besides people donate blood all the time.

Angel: Not pregnant women. You are providing for two people now.

Buffy: That is why my blood volume has increased. I would assume you would be aware of that.

He looks down at his feet.

Buffy: I am sorry to hurt you but you do know it.

Angel: Yes I do. I have fed off pregnant women before.

Buffy: I knew that. I know what kind of monster Angelus was. But that is not what we are talking about. You know I would not do anything to harm Caitlin so I need to know why if was so wrong

Angel: It just is.

Buffy: Because you liked it?

Angel looks at her and nods.

Buffy: Well I liked doing it. It was no different than the pleasure I get from doing you laundry. I like taking care of you. Take care of your needs.

Angel: So if I was an alcoholic, you would give me drink?

Buffy: No. But I was not thinking of it like that. More like you only drink Boones Farm and I wanted you to have a little Dom Perignon.

Angel: Dom Perignon. You think a lot of yourself.

Buffy: It is slayer blood. Is anything better?

Angel: Actually no.

Buffy: Would you please quit holding the door up and come over here beside me.

He walks over and sits beside her. She takes his face in her hands, forcing him to look in her eyes.

Buffy: You know I love you with everything I have, right?

Angel: Yes. And I love you the same.

Buffy: And if I want to share with you everything I have, why can’t I?

Angel: You want me to feed on you? Why?

Buffy: Not so much feed but I want you to feel comfortable enough to accept what I offer.

Angel: Why?

Buffy: It is no different than you fixing breakfast this morning. Why did you do that?

Angel: Because everyone needed to eat.

Buffy: And because you like doing things for them and making sure they eat good.

Angel: I guess.

Buffy: And they appreciate it?

Angel: And I didn’t appreciate your offering.

Buffy: No you didn’t.

Angel: I am sorry. I am just scared if I start I may want more.

Buffy: Now the truth comes out. Well let me tell you something. If you have a craving that bothers you afterwards then talk to me. I can either help you work through it or I can satisfy your craving. Which ever you want.

Angel: But.

Buffy: No buts. I am here for you in every way. I want to give you what ever you need or want. I want you to be happy.

Angel: Just not too happy.

Buffy: I guess. So can you accept my offering in the spirit it was given?

Angel: Yes. But I need to know something.

Buffy: Just ask.

He reaches up and takes her left hand in his right and gently kisses her faint scar.

Angel: You heal fast.

Buffy: I know. But you know that.

 

A little later.

Buffy changes her clothes while Angel lies on the bed and watches her.

Buffy: I guess I need to head out. You will leave as soon as the sun sets?

Angel: Yes I will see you there.

Buffy: I know we can do this.

Angel: I have no doubt at all. Now go before it gets too late.

Buffy: I am gone. See you at the school.

She takes off out the door and down the stairs. He lies back on the bed with a very happy smile across his face.

 

 

Later that evening after dark

Buffy and the others meet near the schools.

Giles: I see we all made it. I guess we get in place.

Buffy: Uh where is Angel?

Giles: I don’t know. But he and Spike were leaving last.

Faith: Spike is on the other side of the building.

Giles: I guess Angel is too. Lets go.

Buffy: Okay. Faith you ready?

Faith: I am right with you B.

Buffy: I am trusting you to protect me if I need it.

Faith: Nothing will happen to you or to Angel’s baby. Nothing.

Buffy: I will hold you to it. Now lets go.

Buffy walks into the school and heads to the library. As they enter, they see the well dressed males holding Dawn. Others surround the opening in the floor. Two are dressed in long robes.

The one in the red robes speaks

Erus: Welcome slayers. I knew you would come.

Buffy: Well it was kind of hard to resist seeing you have my sister there.

Erus: Ah yes. I guess it would be. So you are here to rescue the little lamb.

Faith: I suggest you release her now.

Erus: Such bravado for one so weak.

Faith: I am not weak.

Erus: You may be strong in body but you are weak in spirit.

The others enter and circle the room.

Buffy: But we are not weak in family and friends.

Her eyes look around at the familiar faces. She glances at Giles and he mouths I don’t know.

Buffy: So Mr Leader Guy you want to tell me what you want from us so badly you snatched my sister.

Erus: You will see little one.

Buffy: I am not very patient so can we just get on with this.

At that moment Angel steps out from behind the group holding Dawn.

Angel: Hello Buff.

Cordy: Oh my god he is wearing leather!!

© 2005 Tara