Forever, Always, and Then Some

Chapter 66

 

Giles: Buffy, are you ready to tell us?

Buffy: Yes but remember you promised it stays between us three.

Giles: Agreed.

Buffy: Okay. It was not just one scene. It was like watching clips from a home movie. Sort spliced together like.

Wesley: Okay.

Buffy: I guess I should call them clips. Well the first clip was of a young girl with long brown hair and a boy with bright red hair. They appeared to be about 5 or 6 and were playing in like a backyard with swings. Now the next clip looked like the same two children older, like maybe 12. They were sitting at a table doing homework. The next clip they had aged even more, they appeared to be about 15. But this one was different. It showed them not doing normal teen activities. They were fighting. Together they were fighting. I think it may have been vampires.

Giles: Not unlike you and you friends?

Buffy: Yes I guess but he was just as good as she was. Now for the next clip. They had to be 18 because it showed them wearing caps and gowns,

Wesley: Graduating?

Buffy: Yes. They were holding hands. They appeared more than friends even then.

Giles: Even then?

Buffy: You will understand. Then they again were shown battling demons together. There was more than one clip like that and then another graduation shot. College I believe. Again together. Always together. Well then came more battle clips. Then there was a clip that appeared to be in the desert. I saw myself for the first time. I was there with them. I think I saw Angel too but far away. It was an intense battle. The scene went on forever. But eventually it showed him and her holding each other and the battle was over.

Wesley: And you and Angel?

Buffy: Only them at that time. The next scene was of their wedding. It was just one shot of them leaving the church.

Giles: So the children had grown up and married.

Buffy: Yes but it was the final clip that was the most telling. The one that told the whole story.

Giles: And?

Buffy: I am going to tell you exactly as it was revealed to me. This was the only portion of the dream that had any words. It took place in a hospital room. The girl, well now a young woman was in the bed and the young man was on the far side. They were holding hands, until the nurses came in and handed each of the them a baby wrapped up in pink blankets.

Wesley: Twin girls?

Buffy: Yes. They were holding their daughters when I walked in and right behind me was Angel. He came up behind me like he always does and wrapped his arms around my waist. Then the girl called us Mom and Dad and asked us if we wanted to meet our granddaughters. She handed me the one she was holding. A little thing with wisps of blonde hair. God it was so vivid. They then told us her name was Buffy Angel Osbourne.

Giles: Osbourne? As in?

Buffy: Let me finish. As we were admiring her, Willow comes rushing in. She was excited. We showed her little Buffy and she is looking at her when the young man ask her where Dad is. She says he missed the elevator, But Oz comes in right after that and even chastises her for not holding the elevator for him. She laughs. Then our daughter ask us if we want to meet Buffy’s younger sister. He carries her over and she has Willow’s red hair. They tell us her name is Willow Danielle Osbourne.

Giles: Buffy this sounds like a fantasy,

Buffy: You know by now I know the difference.

Giles: Of course. Continue.

Buffy: Now the part that got to me the most was when I looked at the four of us holding the babies. We looked old. I guess like grandparents should.

Giles: I guess.

Wesley: Stands to reason.

Buffy: Let me say it again. WE looked old.

Giles: We?

Buffy: As in Willow, Oz, me and ANGEL.

Wesley: Oh my. He had aged.

Buffy: Yes. He actually looked handsome with graying hair at the temples.

Giles: So you think he had again become human.

Buffy: Yes and I know when too. The young man said something. I can’t quite remember what Angel had said but he said to the girl. Your father talks like a really old guy sometimes. And the girl replied. I know mom always says he has an old soul. He said it is hard for me to believe sometimes they are all the same age. And I respond, oh but Oz is actually a year older then us three. I look up at Angel and he gives me a conspiratorial look.

Wesley: So the children do not know the truth. But what is this about Oz being older?

Buffy: Because Oz is a year older then Willow and myself.

Wesley: Oh but you graduated together I assumed.

Buffy: Oz skipped school so much he had to repeat the twelfth grade.

Giles: Now how does Angel end up the same age.

Buffy: What I can figure is that the event that returns him to human form happens when I am the age he was when Darla turned him.

Giles: And that would be 26, correct?

Buffy: Yes. He is eternally 26. So I am 21 and for us to be the same age in the future he must achieve his transformation in 5 years.

Wesley: Shanshu.

Buffy: Exactly.

Giles: Shanshu?

Wesley: Oh the prophecy on the vampire with a soul. It is on the same scroll with the one on the two warrior…………….oh my lord the two in your dream.

Buffy: The watcher scores.

Giles: Oh I figured that out earlier but tell me more abut Angel’s prophecy.

Wesley: Basically it says after he has fought the demons and stopped an apocalypse or two he would achieve shanshu.

Giles: Life?

Wesley: Yes. I had a bugger of a time with that translation.

Buffy: Yes he first thought it meant death. Right?

Wesley: No one will let me forget that will they?

Buffy: Sure. Right after you all forget Angel lost his soul and I died and came back. Somethings you never live down.

Giles: So true.

Wesley: So if your dream is about the two children, I see a big problem. You are pregnant and Willow has not seen Oz in how long?

Buffy: I think that is why I had the dream. I have been given a mission to insure the future so to speak.

There is a knock at the door. Angel looks in.

Angel: Quentin and Nigel are here.

Giles: We will be out in a minute.

Angel closes the door.

Wesley: Buffy, you have no intention on telling Angel about your dream?

Buffy: No. He wouldn’t want to know.

Wesley: I think he would. I would.

Buffy: No, I think it is like the gem of amara.

Wesley: The gem of amara. That is just an old fable.

Buffy: No its not. Well it is now I guess. Since Angel smashed it to smithereens.

Wesley: When?

Buffy: A few years ago. Spike found it and I got it from him and sent it to Angel, but he chose to destroy it.

Wesley: But why? It would have given him a normal life.

Buffy: No it would have just made him want a normal life more. And he also felt he might forget his fight for redemption. Hence he must not know when it is prophecized to happen.

Giles: Because he may not work as hard and it may in turn not come to pass.

Buffy: Exactly. Hey but I know. Oh and one other thing. Sadly nothing was said about Conner in the dream but Caitlin asked about Giles.

Giles: Me?

Buffy: No. She asked if he would be home that weekend and I told her had called and he was in the middle of midterms and since it was his senior year he would probably not come home and screw up his average. I am thinking I have a second son who is a bit younger that the other two.

Giles: Named Giles?

Buffy: Yes, are you surprised?

Giles: Touched, now you better not change your mind since you already told me.

Buffy: Only if you piss me off.

Wesley: Buffy, so what are you going to do about what you know?

Buffy: Start by finding Oz and also telling Willow.

Giles: Are you sure?

Buffy: Very.

Another knock.

Cordy: Sorry, they insisted I get you.

Buffy: No problem, we are just finishing up.

The trio walk out into the lobby. Angel is standing holding Conner. Buffy walks up to him.

Buffy: Did I miss anything?

Angel: No, we decided to wait for you three. Are you okay?

Buffy: I am fine.

Quentin: Well I guess we can start now that we are all here.

Buffy: So spill, why are you here?

Nigel: I think it is quite obvious. We are quite concerned by the turn of events. You have put us in a vary unenviable position of having no slayer.

Buffy: So you are not pleased for us? I thought you came here to congratulate us. Angel, honey, they are not excited about the new baby. Funny since they were so thrilled with Conner, they tried to take him.

Angel: Gosh, and I was hoping they were setting up a college fund for Caitlin. We got to plan for her future. Well if the council doesn’t try to take it away from her.

Quentin: I think we are getting off on the wrong foot here. We came to discuss the best way to deal with your inability to meet your obligations.

Buffy: Depends on what obligations. I am meeting my obligations as a wife and mother. And after Caitlin is born, I will return to slaying the demons of the underworld. In the meantime you will just have to rely on the other slayer to take up the slack.

Nigel: Other slayer? I know you don’t mean Faith. She is in prison and from what I know she can stay there forever.

Buffy: Well you don’t know much. But that is no big shock is it.

Giles: Buffy, please. You are right but we need to finish this.

The front door opens and in walks Skip.

Angel: Skip.

Buffy: Skip?

Nigel: Oh my lord what is that?

Skip: Hello Angel. I hope this is not a bad time.

Angel: Not at all. Come on in. I want you to meet someone.

Skip comes up. Nigel hides behind Quentin.

Angel: Skip, this is my wife Buffy.

Skip and Buffy shake hands.

Skip: She is a little thing.

Buffy: Not for long thanks to you. Not that I am complaining.

Skip: Hey, they didn’t tell me either.

Angel: So why are you here?

The door opens and Dawn comes running in

Dawn: Buffy. I am so happy.

She runs up and throws her arms around Buffy.

Buffy: Hey Dawn. I am glad you are glad. Now calm down I have company. Sorry Skip, my kid sister.

Skip: Quite alright.

Angel: You were saying?

Willow and Tara come in.

Buffy: Tara?

Willow: Hey Buff, we knew you wouldn’t mind if Tara came too.

Buffy: Of course not.

Angel: Buffy, Skip was trying to tell us something.

Buffy: Sorry. I just hope no one else walks in right now. Skip, please tell us something good. We really enjoyed your last visit.

She smiles suggestively.

Skip: I imagine you did. That is partly why I am here. I need to see the pendant a second.

Buffy: Uh why?

Skip: I am not going to take it or anything. I just need to see it.

Buffy: Uh Willow did you bring it?

Willow: Sure. Not leaving something that valuable in an empty house.

Willow pulls the box out of her bag and hands it to Buffy

Buffy: Thanks Will.

She opens the box and pulls out the pendant and hesitantly hands it to Skip. He takes it in his hand and covers it with his other hand.

Skip: Five stones. You guys must be working hard. Guys this was my idea. I have three kids of my own and I remember the joy each time we learned we were expecting. It is an amazing time.

Angel: I know, especially for me. Since I shouldn’t be able to.

Skip: Well I communicated to the power that you deserved a tiny chance to celebrate and they agreed. So they are giving you a sort of freebee. It is only 3 hours, but I think you can put them to good use.

He exposes the pendant and it has all ten stones glowing. He hands it to Buffy.

Buffy: What?

Skip: It is will return to the five stones in a few days but you have three hours now.

Buffy and Angel just stare at him. Willow walks up and takes Conner. Buffy and Angel look at everyone as if confused.

Giles: Will you too get out of here already?

Buffy and Angel look at each other and both dash for the stairs. They run up and in moments is heard the loud slamming of a door.

Skip: Uh, is that the thanks I get?

Willow: I am sure they will think about that later. So I will say it for them. Thanks. Hey and I mean it. Those two deserve that and more.

Skip: Well I am off.

Skip leaves.

Nigel: Uh what was that?

Willow: Oh that I believe was Skip. He is a warrior for the PTB, like Buffy and Angel.

Nigel: PTB?

Cordy: Powers that Be.

Nigel: Who?

Cordy: The Powers that Be. Giles.

Giles: The PTB are the ones that empower the slayer and guide warriors like her and Angel. They are the also the one responsible for Cordy’s visions and guiding us to the slayer.

Nigel: The good guys?

Quentin: Yes, Nigel, the good guys.

Fred appears at the top of the stairs.

Fred: Uh guys, I was in my room and there is a really weird knocking noise started up here.

Almost everyone laughs.

Wesley: It is okay Fred, just come on down here.

Fred comes down and Wesley takes her hand. He leans over and whispers in her ear. She cover her mouth to suppress a giggle and looks toward upstairs.

Willow: Looks like we have about 3 hours to kill. Might I suggest we all go get some dinner.

Dawn: Yes, I second that.

Nigel: Uh what about the slayer. I thought we were talking here.

Giles: We will be taking a slight intermission on account of a hormone driven couple. (cleans his glasses)

Nigel: Are you saying that their up there, right now doing (coughs).

Everyone: Yes.

Cordy: It’s been three months. Now where are we going to eat.

Wesley: There is a restaurant a few blocks down. Excellent food but slow service.

Giles: Sounds fine to me.

Before they walk out the door there is a loud crash from upstairs. Everyone looks up.

Cordy: I am not going to even hinder a guess.

Willow: Me either.

Tara: Let's just go eat.

 

In Sunnydale.

At the mansion.

Riley is asleep on the floor of the bedroom.

Harmony: Well hello.

Riley rolls over and looks at Harmony standing in the doorway.

Riley: What do you want?

He stands up.

Harmony: I came to get my stuff, but it looks like I found something much better.

She walks toward him. Her face transforms. Riley tries to push past he but she grabs his arm and twist it behind his back shoving him. He trips over the overturned dresser and falls to his knees. She grabs his hair and jerks his head back exposing his neck. Her teeth sink in deep and draws the life’s blood from his body. She pulls back.

Harmony: He is a cute one.

She runs her nail across her chest and forces his face toward the flowing blood. He involuntarily draws the blood in.

Later he lies upon the bedroom floor as Harmony changes her clothes.

Harmony: I will be back later. We will have so much fun, lover.

She heads out of the mansion.

© 2005 Tara