Forever, Always, and Then Some

Chapter 134

 

Buffy crawls out of the tunnel and stares up into the morning light. She shades her hand to stare at the three glowing orbs in the bright sky. Hannah moves up beside her.

Hannah: What is it?

Buffy: Just not use to three suns.

Hannah: How many are back there? I have forgotten.

Buffy: Just one.

Hannah looks up at the suns and then back at Buffy.

Buffy: You ready?

Hannah: Yes.

Hannah leads the way from the ravine and toward the nearby creek. Buffy stops and looks at the milky fluid.

Buffy: Reminds me of chocolate milk.

Hannah: Milk? I remember milk. It tasted so sweet.

Buffy: I’m not a fan of milk myself.

Hannah: Fan?

Buffy: Oh a fan is someone who likes something. I’m not a fan cause I do not like milk. But I have to drink a lot of it because of Caitlin.

Hannah: Caitlin? Is that your baby girl?

Buffy: Yes. I hope her daddy is doing okay.

Hannah: Let us find your person and you can return to them.

Buffy: Good idea.

They begin slowly moving along the bank. Buffy’s eyes searching for a sign of another human. Hours pass as they continue to move down the bank. Buffy stops to allow Hannah time to rest.

Buffy: I’m still having difficulty with the not needing to eat and go to the bathroom daily.

Hannah: I can remember having a meal each morning and another mid day.

Buffy: Yes and one more at night.

Hannah: Ah, yes. I go many days before I feel the need to eat.

Buffy: I was told the body process here is one hundred times slower.

Hannah: I do not understand.

Buffy: Well if you need food every five hours back home, then you only need to eat every five hundred hours here. That is why my milk has stopped.

Hannah: Milk?

Buffy: Breast milk.

Hannah: Oh for your baby. It will start again when you return?

Buffy: Yes. And speaking of returning are you ready to continue?

Hannah: I am.

She stands up and they move forward. Buffy’s eyes continue to observe her entire environment.

 

Alaska

Angel sits burping Caitlin while Conner curls up against his hip. He looks down to see the small child staring at the fire as he quietly nurses his thumb. Dawn walks up and smiles.

Dawn: Conner, you want to go outside? We can make a snowman.

Conner shakes his head and buries closer to his father. Angel reaches his hand down and strokes the boy’s side.

Angel: It’s okay. Dawn, I think he wants to stay inside. I will take him out later.

Dawn: Okay. Bye sweety.

She walks away and Connor looks up at his father.

Angel: Come here tiger.

Conner crawls up into his lap and lays his head against his chest.

Angel: Looks like Caitlin is asleep. Let’s go put her in her bed and then you and I can play. Okay?

Connor smiles and continues to suck on his thumb. Angel picks them both up and moves to the bedrooms. He sets Connor on the twin bed and turns to the crib. As he lays Caitlin down he feels a warm arm clutch his knee. He covers Caitlin and reaches down for his son.

Angel: Want to play?

He walks into his room and drops the boy on the bed. He grabs a few toys and tosses them before sitting down. As Angel sits with his back against the headboard, Connor crawls over with a car and climbs back into his father’s lap.

Angel: What you got there?

 

Ming Smente'na

Buffy stops suddenly and grabs Hannah’s hand to halt her progress.

Hannah: What is wrong?

Buffy nods to the ground.

Hannah: The ground?

Buffy: The footprints.

Hannah: Pardon.

Buffy squats down and runs her fingers over the impression in the soft earth.

Hannah: What is that?

Buffy: It is the print from a tennis shoe.

Hannah: A what?

Buffy points to her own feet and then shows her the bottom.

Buffy: Each type if tennis shoe has a different bottom and makes a different design. I don’t know what brand this is but it is not from my shoe.

Hannah: Your person is wearing these different shoes?

Buffy: Yes and I would think based on the size of the foot, it is a man. Not a very large man but I still think it is a man.

Buffy stands up and looks around. Spotting another impression she moves slowly forward. Her eyes darting around and moving along the creek bed following the scattered footprints. Her whole body is on full alert as she maneuvers through the strange surroundings. A sudden noise makes her stop and grab Hannah.

Hannah: Wh

Buffy’s hand stifles her words. Buffy signals her to be silent. Hannah nods in understanding as Buffy closes her eyes and listens intently. She hears a second lower crinkle and looks upward into the foliage. She dives behind a nearby tree, dragging Hannah with her as a bolt of fire singes the ground where they stood. Buffy strains to look back into the tree. She sees a flash of red and white amongst the purple leaves.

Buffy: Stay here and stay hidden.

Hannah nods with fear in her eyes.

Buffy moves forward and quickly scampers up the trunk of a tree and glances around. She sees a flash of red and moves closer. She suddenly ducks as a ball of fire soars by.

Buffy: Would you please stop that? I am here to help you. To take you home.

She ducks another burning projectile and leaps to another tree. She grabs onto the nearby branch and swings herself up and perches cautiously. Her eyes dart around. She sees her prey and glances around. He is darting his eyes around nervously. His bright red jogging suit and white tennis shoes stand out against the purple leaves and blue branches. Buffy reaches over and snaps off a branch. She tosses it into the tree she just left. She watches as the young man peers intently at the spot where the branch landed. As he develops a fiery orb in his palm and sends it careening toward her former location, Buffy moves quickly toward him.

Hannah watches from below and as she see Buffy near his position, she steps from her hiding spot. He glances down at her and raises his hand. A glow begins in his palm as Buffy punches him hard in the face. He falls backward and Buffy grabs his jacket and keeps him from tumbling from the tree. She slings his inert form over her shoulder and quickly scales back down the trunk.

Hannah meets her at the bottom.

Hannah: Did you kill him?

Buffy: No, just knocked him out. Let’s get him to your place before he wakes up.

Hannah: You want to take him to my home? What if he wakes up and sets it afire?

Buffy: He won’t. Not if he is bound and gagged. He is some type of witch. My best friend is a witch and there are not much they can do without their hands and voice. So let’s go.

Hannah moves cautiously forward and Buffy follows.

Buffy: Hurry please.

Hannah looks over at her trailing behind with the man draped over her smaller body. She shakes her head in confusion but leads them back to her cave.

Buffy: You go on in and find what ever you can to secure him.

Hannah moves through the tunnel and begins gathering lengths of braided vine. Buffy comes from the tunnel dragging the unconscious body. She takes the makeshift ropes and binds his arms and legs.

Buffy: I need something to gag him.

Hannah hands her a strip of soft animal skin. Buffy places it across his mouth and ties it around his head. She props him against a wall and stands back.

Buffy: Now to wake him.

She walks up and slaps him across the face. His head lags to the side.

Buffy: Oh come on. It was one measly punch. All I need to know is if I found the right guy. Hate to take the wrong one back.

She slaps him again. Hannah walks up and hands her a vessel of murky fluid.

Buffy: Thanks.

She takes it and splashes it into his face. He jerks hard and his eyes open.

Buffy: It’s about time.

He looks around fearfully.

Buffy: Calm down. I am not going to hurt you. Well unless I have to.

She tugs his gag down slightly but holds it at the ready if he begins a spell.

Buffy: Now who are you?

He glances from Buffy to Hannah and begins to tug at his bindings.

Buffy: I am an expert at bondage so you can forget getting free. Now what is your name and how did you get here?

Marvin: Who are you?

Buffy: You first.

Marvin: My name is Marvin.

Buffy: Okay we have a start. Now how did you get here?

Marvin: Your name first.

Buffy: I’m Buffy and this lovely lady is Hannah. Now again how did you get here?

Marvin: Buffy? Buffy Summers?

Buffy: Very good, you know of me then.

Marvin relaxes and smiles. Buffy stands up and towers over him

Marvin: I do. Are you here for me?

Buffy: Boy is he good. Now I want answers.

Marvin: I am not sure how I got here. I was jogging in Central Park. I do that every morning and as I rounded a curve in the path I was suddenly sucked into a portal and ended up here. That was a few weeks ago.

Buffy: And you have no idea how the portal opened or why.

Marvin: I have an idea. My grandfather is a very powerful shaman and a very wealthy one. He announced last summer that I was the heir to his estate and all his power. It will all be mine when he dies.

Buffy: And someone got jealous.

Marvin: My cousin Melvin. He and I grew up together but he prefers using his power for profit and gain. Our grandfather and both our fathers are very disappointed. Our grandfather wanted the estate to stay in one hand and our fathers have their own businesses and so he chose me to be the beneficiary. His two sons each are recognized in the will but not Melvin.

Buffy: So if Melvin gets rid of you he hopes your grandfather will name him heir.

Marvin: Or his father. Then it will eventually be his.

Buffy: What happens when you go back?

Marvin: I am not sure. I will need to talk to our grandfather and fathers. I believe our combined powers may be able to strip him of his. It has been discussed but no one thought he would go this far. He has never harmed anyone before.

Buffy: Well I hate to be pushy but I am ready to go back.

Marvin: Lead the way. How did you get here?

Buffy: I used these two crystals.

She pulls them from her pocket.

Marvin: Kori crystals. Where did you get those? They are unheard of in our dimension.

Buffy: They were given to me by another warrior of the PTB.

Marvin: PTB?

Buffy: Powers That Be.

Marvin: Oh my stars. They are responsible for my rescue. Why would they care about me?

Buffy: Not sure but maybe if we get you home you can find out.

Marvin: Yes, yes.

He looks down at his bindings.

Marvin: Do you intend on carrying me?

Buffy: Are you going to attack us with more fire balls?

Marvin: I am so sorry. I have been fighting off the animals here since I arrived. I panicked.

Buffy lifts him to his feet and he shuffles to the entrance tunnel.

Marvin: I can not crawl through there tied up.

Buffy: Well I promised Hannah her home would be safe so I will untie you outside.

Marvin: Still don’t trust me.

Buffy: I don’t trust many people.

 

Alaska

Angel glances down at the sleeping toddler beside him. He turns out the light and pulls the covers up.

Angel: I wish I knew how to help you. All I can do is be here for you.

He brushes a soft kiss on his forehead and settles back closing his eyes. Sleep evades him and he listens to the steady sounds of his son’s breathing and the small noises as he suckles his tiny thumb. Angel’s thoughts roam to the petite blonde who holds both their hearts in her small hands. He rolls on his side and drapes his arm over his son. He wants him to feel safe and secure.

 

Ming Smente'na

Buffy drags Marvin out of the tunnel and sets him on the ground. Hannah jumps out afterwards. Buffy leans down and unties his feet. She pushes him along and up the side of the ravine. She guides him to the clearing where she first arrived. Buffy turns to Hannah.

Buffy: Please come with us.

Hannah shakes her head violently.

Buffy: You can’t continue to stay here.

Hannah: This is home. I belong here.

Buffy: Please, Hannah. I will help you.

Hannah: It has been too long. Too much time has passed.

Buffy starts untying Marvin’s bindings as tears fill her eyes. She looks once more over at Hannah as she pulls out the crystals.

Buffy: I hate leaving you here.

Hannah: I am home.

Marvin: How long has she been here?

Buffy: Almost four hundred years.

Marvin: Then she knows how to survive. She will continue to survive.

Buffy nods and Marvin moves beside her.

Marvin: Sorry but we must be touching to go together.

Buffy: I understand.

She hands him one crystals and takes the other in her hand. They lift them up above their heads and touch them together. Suddenly the surrounding area is filled with small furry creatures. They begin moving in closer. Hannah screams and looks for a way to escape. She runs forward.

Buffy: Over here.

In her panic, Hannah runs to her and Buffy wraps her arm around her waist. Marvin and Buffy bring the crystals to their sides as the army surges forward. The trio turn and become encased in a silvery bubble. Hannah looks over Buffy’s shoulder at the threatening animals. She cries out as they disappear from view and all she can see is white. The bubble pops and Buffy looks round. She see the smoke curling up from the chimney of the lodge. Hannah looks around panicked. She tries to bolt sending Marvin crashing to the ground. Buffy grabs her close and holds her tight.

Buffy: It’s okay. You are okay. Let’s just get you inside out of the cold. Hannah?

Hannah looks at her and nods slowly. Marvin scrambles up and looks at his hand. He nudges Buffy and she sees the portions of crystal scattered in the snow. Buffy shrugs and leads them to the cabin. On the porch she turns the door knob and it opens with ease.

Buffy: So much for security.

She leads them in and guides Hannah to the fire. Marvin closes the door and glances around the open space.

Marvin: Is this your house?

Buffy: No, we are renting it for the Christmas holidays.

Marvin: Where are we?

Buffy: Alaska.

Marvin: That would explain the snow.

He watches Buffy open the fireplace doors. As Buffy squats in front of the fire poking it into life, Hannah squeals in terror. Buffy and Marvin glance up and notice the small brigade of people surrounding them. Each one is clutching a weapon and in a fighting stance.

Buffy: Hi guys.

The crowd relaxes and Hannah lets out her breath in a loud sigh. She soon gasps in a new lungful as the imposing male dressed in a white T-shirt and black pants strides forward in a predatory feline grace. His hand grips the handle of a terrifying axe. Hannah steps quickly behind Marvin as he stands towering over Buffy. His light weight clothing does not hide his powerful muscular body as he reaches out and entwines his hand in her golden lock. Hannah whimpers in fear as he pulls her friend toward his well-built chest. She glances around for help before seeing him bring his mouth down and molest the palette of the petite blonde. Buffy’s arms encircle his neck as she arches into his demanding embrace.

Marvin: I am thinking husband.

Hannah can only nod.

Everyone watches the duo as they lose themselves in each other.

Dawn: Enough with the PDA’s. We get it you missed each other.

Buffy and Angel part lips and look around the room, their arms still clinging to one another.

Willow: Welcome back Buffy. Mission accomplished?

Buffy looks at Angel and they smile before she extricates herself from his embrace.

Buffy: Yes, found my man and a spare.

Everyone moves forward and Buffy turns to Marvin.

Buffy: This is Marvin. He is wicca.

Marvin: Shaman actually. One in a long lineage of Shaman.

Wesley steps forward and holds out his hand.

Wes: Welcome.

Marvin: Thank you.

He gently shakes and then accepts the greetings of the others.

Anya: So if he is the one you went to rescue, who is the tall chick in the animal skins?

Buffy: This is Hannah. She helped me find Marvin and well came back with us unintentionally.

Willow: So there are humans living there?

Buffy: No just Hannah. She fell through a portal almost 400 years ago.

Fred: 400 years. That beats my five in Pylea.

Cordy: Can we forget about Pylea?

Wes: Why? They made you a princess.

Cordy: After making me a slave.

Buffy: Well there are no slaves or princesses in Ming Smente'na. No other humans or even demons. Just lots of not to friendly animals.

Dawn: Did they attack you?

Buffy: Not at first but right as we were leaving a whole herd of Ewok creatures attacked. Hannah was forced to come with us or be captured.

Hannah: Buffy?

Buffy: Yes.

Hannah: I want to go back. I can not stay here.

Buffy: I am not sure we can do that. One of the crystals broke when we arrived. Marvin?

Marvin: I don’t know if we can open the portal without it.

Hannah: But I have to go back. I do not belong here. I can not stay.

Buffy: Calm down. We will find away if you want to go back.

Hannah: I do. I can not stay in this strange world.

Angel: Hannah, I am sorry. I know you are scared and all but it will be okay.

Connor: MAMA!!!!!

Everyone turns as the toddler barrels across the floor. Buffy scoops him up in her arms and holds him tight.

Buffy: How did you get out of your crib?

Angel: Crib? Try our bed. Only way he would sleep.

Buffy: Oh no.

She holds the child as she lowers on to the sofa. The child grips tightly to her jacket. Buffy’s eyes fill with tears as she gently rocks the clinging little boy.

Angel: Buffy, I am sorry. He couldn’t understand you not being here. And he wouldn’t let me out of his sight.

Buffy: It’s fine. If sleeping with you was what he needed then it was not wrong.

Angel sits beside her and pulls them both close.

Willow: Hannah, you look cold. I think we can find you something warmer to wear.

She glances at Cordy.

Willow: Cordy, you are about the same height, do you have a spare pair of pants and shirt.

Cordy: I think so.

Anya: I might have something too.

They scurry off and Willow leads Hannah to her bedroom. Dawn follows.

Dawn: Are you going to put her in here with us?

Willow: I don’t think so.

Buffy walks in carrying Connor.

Buffy: There are two beds in the room with the children. We can move the cribs to our room and she can stay in there.

Hannah: No please don’t move the children. I will not mind sharing their room.

Buffy: You sure?

Hannah: Yes, it is fine.

Cordy and Anya walk in with a handful of clothing.

Buffy: Why don’t I show you where you will be sleeping and you can change while I see if Connor will go to sleep in his own bed.

Hannah nods and follows her with the small armload of garments. Buffy checks on Caitlin and shows her to Hannah before explaining to her how to slip into the various pieces of clothing.

Hannah: Your undergarments are so small but very comfortable. And the britches are very warm.

Buffy: So are you comfortable?

Hannah: I am fine.

Willow sticks her head in.

Willow: Everyone else has turned in. Marvin is in with Giles.

Buffy: Thanks.

She lowers a sleeping Connor into his crib.

Buffy: Hannah, I will need to leave the door open in case they wake up.

Hannah: That is okay. I will ignore the sounds of you and your husband.

Buffy: What? Oh, don’t worry there will be nothing to ignore.

She checks on Caitlin once more and slips into her room. She opens her drawer and draws out a clean pair of pajama pants and a tank top. By the light of the small lamp she changes her clothes. She can feel Angel’s eyes watching her every movement. When she turns toward him, he lifts the covers and she slips in beside him. His body curves around her and holds her close.

Angel: You feel so good in my arms.

Buffy: Your arms feel so good.

She sighs and they both drift off to sleep. A quiet descends upon the entire lodge.

 

© 2005 Tara