Forever, Always, and Then Some

Chapter 70

 

Buffy returns down to the office.

Fred: I found it. Do you want me to see if he answers?

Buffy: Yes, please.

Buffy and Fred sit down at the computer and Fred rings up the computer for Daniel Osbourne. The computer connects and the screen reveals a blonde male.

Man: Hello?

Buffy: Oh I am sorry, I was looking for a friend, but you are not him. Sorry.

Man: Uh, I am Charles, who are you looking for?

Buffy: Oh I am looking for a Daniel Osbourne. I thought this was his computer link.

Charles: Uh, it is. I am his roommate. Oz isn’t home right now but I can tell him to ring you back when he gets in.

Buffy: Oz? You called him Oz. Then I have found the right guy. Can’t be two Daniel Osbournes called Oz. Uh you don’t think?

Charles: I guess not. Hey wait a minute, I know who you are.

Buffy: You do.

Charles reaches up on a shelf on the wall behind him and pulls down a small framed photo. It is of Oz, Willow, Cordy, Xander, and Buffy.

Charles: This is you? Right?

Buffy: Yeah that’s me.

Charles: I knew you looked familiar. Uh Buffy, right?

Buffy: Two for two.

Fred: Is that Cordy? She had long hair.

Charles: Hi, I didn’t see you.

Buffy: Uh Charles, this is Fred. She is a friend. When will Oz be in? I really need to speak to him.

Charles: In an hour or two. Want me to have him ring you?

Buffy: Please. Tell him it is urgent. Please.

Charles: Sure thing.

Buffy: Okay then bye and thanks.

Disconnect

Buffy: I never knew it would be that easy. But now the hard part.

Fred: Uh, is he an old boyfriend?

Buffy: Yes, but not mine. He and Willow were together for almost two years. That picture was taken when they were first dating and Cordy was dating Xander. I was solo. Angel was still in hell.

Fred: Angel was in hell?

Buffy: Oh, I figured you had heard.

Fred: No.

Buffy: You have heard about Angel losing his soul and all right?

Fred: Yeah I heard he terrorized Cordy and all of you.

Buffy: Uh yeah, that’s right. Well while he was well evil he planned to open this portal to a hell dimension and I tried to stop him. But I was too late, he was able to get it started before I could stop him. Then during the insuing battle, Willow was able to restore his soul and he was my Angel again but I had learned that because the portal was opened with Angel’s blood, the only was to close it was with Angel himself.

Fred: So he jumped in and closed it.

Buffy: No, he had no idea what was going on and I had to literally shove a sword into him and force him through the portal.

Fred: What?

Buffy: I sacrificed him to save the world. That was harder than when I sacrificed myself.

Fred: Oh. But how did he come back?

Buffy: Uh he he he……oh my lord, I know what Lorne meant.

Fred: What?

Buffy: Earlier. Lorne said I used the symbol of our love as the key to bring him back. It wasn’t the first, it was the powers.

Fred: Buffy?

Buffy: Oh, well we have always thought the first evil brought Angel back, but earlier tonight Lorne said that I did it. The ring was the key. When I placed my ring at the spot where he was pulled into the portal, it somehow allowed him to be brought back through.

Fred: So you ring brought him back. Was it a magic ring or something?

Buffy: No just a claddaugh he gave me for my 17^th birthday. Just like this one (holds up her hand) he gave me 3 months ago.

Fred: Oh he wears one too.

Buffy: I know. They are a symbol of friendship, loyalty and love. They are Irish.

Fred: That is nice.

Buffy: Wearing with the heart pointing at you means your heart belongs to someone.

Fred: I like that.

Buffy: Me too. Hey is there any junk food. I can’t seem to get any with Angel hanging over me.

Fred: Sure is. I’ll show you.

 

Later.

Buffy and Fred are waiting for Oz to call and just talking, when Cordy comes down.

Cordy: They’re not back?

Buffy: Not yet.

Cordy sits down.

Fred: Feeling better?

Cordy: Headache is almost gone.

Fred: Glad to hear it.

The front door opens and Giles and Quentin hold the door open, while Gunn help Angels in. Wesley brings up the rear. They place him in the settee.

Cordy: Looks like our champion has taken a beating.

Angel: Just a couple of penetrating stab wound to the abdomen. But hey, I still have my head. That is a plus.

Cordy grabs the first aid kid.

Cordy: Guys help him with his coat and shirt.

The guys take his clothes and Cordy begins bandaging the wounds. Buffy stands in the doorway watching. He suddenly notices her and turns.

Cordy: Keep still.

Angel: Buffy, what are you doing up?

Buffy: I was just talking to Fred.

Cordy: Angel, you need to be still. Can you stop talking?

Angel: (m) Buffy you need to get some sleep.

Buffy: (m) What and miss the show.

Angel: (m) What show?

Buffy: (m) I just love watching Cordelia running her hands over your naked chest.

Angel: (m) She is just cleaning and dressing the wounds. She does it all the time for all of us.

Buffy: (m) So does that make it okay.

Angel: (m) You are acting jealous for no logical reason.

Buffy: (m) Right now emotional Buffy and logical Buffy are not communicating very well.

Angel: (m) Oh. Want to take over for Cordy?

Buffy: (m) No, oh I don’t know what the hell I want. She walks back into the office.

Angel: (m to Cordy) Cordy, I need you to stop. Buffy is upset.

Cordy: What?

Angel: (m) Let me talk to her for a minute.

Cordy steps back and Angel gets to his feet and moves toward the office holding his midsection. He comes up to Buffy and they slip into Wesley’s office and close the door.

Buffy: I am sorry, I just hated it.

Angel: Come here and let me hold you.

Buffy slip into his arms. She carefully avoids his injuries.

Buffy: I know it is stupid, but then I am done a lot of stupid stuff lately.

Angel: Hey I love you. And only you.

Buffy: Even when I act like a jealous idiot.

Angel: No matter how you act. Uh Buffy, I need to sit down.

Buffy: Sorry.

She helps him to a chair.

Angel: You going to sit with me?

Buffy: I don’t want to hurt you.

Angel: I know you won’t.

She slips into his lap and gently kisses him.

Buffy: I have no idea what has gotten into me lately.

Angel : I do.

He reaches out and places his hand on her stomach.

Buffy: You love doing that.

Angel: Yes. Are you feeling any better?

Buffy: A little, now if you could find a way to make me feel even better I wouldn’t be opposed.

Angel: Hmmm, wanna go upstairs and let me try.

Buffy: Read my mind, uh but.

Angel: What?

Buffy: Nothing. I just need to talk to Fred a minute.

She leaves the room.

Cordy: Buffy, do you want me to finish bandaging him or do you?

Angel: Cordy, you can finish.

He gets back on the settee and she finishes his care. Buffy and Angel head upstairs and to their room.

Angel: Dawn?

Dawn: Hey, what happen to you?

Angel: Big ugly demon. How is Conner?

Dawn: Fine. I was just reading. Uh can I take this with me?

Angel: Sure.

He drops into his chair. Dawn leaves.

Angel: You going come here cause I am not getting up.

Buffy: If I do what are you going to do?

Angel: You have to get over here and find out.

Buffy: Do I dare?

Angel: I know you will so get your little tail over here and quit teasing me.

Buffy: Teasing?

Angel: Yes. Remember I know what you forgot.

Buffy: Oh. So if I come over there I will get punished or rewarded

Angel: Probably a little of both.

Buffy walks closer.

Angel: I see more teasing.

© 2005 Tara