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buffyfic-digest        Friday, November 6 1998        Volume 02 : Number 364



In this issue:

       BUFFYFIC: Mirror, Mirror... - 1/1 by Tiffany
       BUFFYFIC: Little Mall of Horrors (1/1)
       BUFFYFIC: That Stupid Jerk (1/1)
       BUFFYFIC: If You'd Listen

See the end of the digest for information on (un)subscribing to the buffyfic
or buffyfic-digest mailing lists and on how to retrieve back issues.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 5 Nov 1998 07:56:29 -0800
From: "Ian and Tiff" <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: Mirror, Mirror... - 1/1 by Tiffany

Title: Mirror, Mirror... - 1/1
Author: Tiffany Gregg
E-Mail: [e-mail]
Distribution: It'll be at my site.  If you'd like it for yours, just let me
know please.
Rating: PG-13 (Special edited edition)
Spoiler Warning: nothing really
Feedback: Would be most appreciated
Classification: BSR (with some angst)
Summary: Buffy and Spike make with the smoochies, but...

Disclaimer: The characters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer belong to Joss
Whedon, the WB, FOX and Mutant Enemy.  I am making no money in writing this
and no copyright infringement is intended.

Authors note: This is the 6th part in my "Masquerade" series.  The previous
parts can be found at my site http://www.thegreggs.com/fanfic.htm (well,
part 5 isn't quite there yet). Also, this series takes place after BatB and
is a bit of an alternate Buffy-verse.

ALSO NOTE: This story has been edited from the original format that was
posted to BBETA so that it would fit the requirements (PG-13 cap) for the
BUFFYFIC list.

==========
Mirror, Mirror...
By: Tiffany
E-Mail me at: [e-mail]


Spike slowed as they approached an abandoned warehouse.  "Just bloody
terrific" he muttered stopping in his tracks.  Buffy looked up and saw
Spike's minions milling around the building.  "Well, Slayer looks like you
won't be getting a tour tonight." he said with a shrug.

Buffy thought for a moment.  "We could go back to my house?" she suggested
hopefully.

"I don't think your mum would be too glad to see me, Pet." he replied
seriously.

"She's out of town on another one of her buying tours for the gallery."

Spike's eyes glinted with mischief.  "Well, then. What are we waiting for,
Luv?"

Buffy closed the door behind them quickly when they reached her house and
threw herself into his arms.  Their mouths hungrily devouring one another,
tongues dueling, hands roaming.

"Spike, I want you to make love to me." the words were simple and spoken so
softly that he doubted a mortal could have heard them.

"You're sure, Slayer?"

For an answer, Buffy took his hand and headed up the stairs to her bedroom.
Helpless to resist, Spike followed.  Each step closer filling him with
excitement and a touch of uncertainty.  This is what he'd dreamt of for so
many months and his dream was about to come true.  The Slayer wanted him.
Wanted him as much as he wanted her.

Once inside her room, Buffy's bravado seemed to desert her and she stared at
Spike with uncertainty in her wide eyes.

"We don't have to do this, Pet." Spike said to try and calm her fears.

"No, I want to." Buffy said quickly and then added with a blush, "It's just,
well, I just, um, don't really know where to start."

Spike stifled a laugh and pulled her into his arms.  As he held her in his
arms he could feel her shaking.  Was it from nervousness or excitement he
wondered.  "Slayer." he murmured as he found her lips and kissed her
passionately.

Buffy responded to his kiss with spirit, pressing her body into his and
circling his neck with her arms.  Spike placed tiny kisses all along her jaw
and neck.  Buffy groaned low in her throat as she felt his tongue lap at her
collarbone.

"Ah, Slayer.  Do you know how long I have dreamt of holding you?  Of this
very moment?"

Buffy looked up into his eyes, they were filled with passion, longing
and.....love.  She couldn't surpress the smile that lit her face.  He wanted
her and loved her.  Everything felt so right.

She pulled his head down to hers and captured his mouth with her own.  Her
tongue plundering his mouth even as her hands deftly worked the buttons on
his shirt.  Buffy slid her hands up his smooth, sculpted chest and over his
strong shoulders, sending his shirt quickly to the floor.

Spike backed Buffy gently towards the bed and she froze and stiffened in his
arms.  He pulled back and looked down at her.  She was staring at something
across the room.

Buffy felt her breath catch in her throat.  She felt as if time was standing
still.  There in the mirror she could see herself, face flushed with
passion.  But Spike, who stood right beside her cast no reflection.
Memories and emotions came flooding back to her.  Vampire. Demon.  The
words echoed in her mind.  She closed her eyes to try and stop them, but
they came anyway.  Memories of Angel and that same mirror.  How could
she have let herself get so swept up in her emotions that she could have
forgotten that Spike was a blood-thirsty fiend?

Spike watched the blood drain from Buffy's face until she was white as a
sheet.  "What is it?" he asked "What's wrong, Pet?"  Then he followed her
gaze to the mirror where only her wide blue eyes stared back at him with
apprehension and confusion.

Buffy unconsciously took a step back.  Spike reached out a hand to her and
she flinched away.  Spike didn't miss the significance of her reaction and
bristled.  "You know what I am." he said in a cold, defensive voice.

"I know." she said in a small voice.  "It just startled me a little.  It's
okay, really.  I guess I just forgot."

Spike sighed "This isn't going to work, Slayer.  I should have known that.
I was stupid to think that you could look past what I am to see who I really
am."

"No, really.  It's okay." Buffy said almost in tears.

Spike reached out to touch her cheek and she flinched back again.  Spike
dropped his hand back to his side and clenched his fist.  He felt a white
hot fury building up inside his gut.  Grabbing his shirt off the floor, he
fled out of her room, out of her house, out of her life and back into the
night.  The night that seemed so much darker to him now.  Blood red tears
ran down his face and as he ran through the night he screamed with all the
fury and heartbreak in his being.

Back in her room, Buffy sat on the floor with her knees pulled up to her
chin and slowly rocked herself back and forth.  Tears streaming down her
face she wondered what had just happened.  Spike was a demon, a bad guy.
Why did she keep forgetting that?  Even more confusing, if he was her enemy
why was he so kind to her.  She was sure that it was love she saw in his
eyes.  She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself.  Maybe it was time
to talk to Giles?

==========

The End.  (Masquerade Series - part 6)

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 05 Nov 1998 09:01:17 PST
From: "Leslie S." <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: Little Mall of Horrors (1/1)

TITLE: Little Mall of Horrors (1/1)
AUTHORS: LilS, Tay, Stinger-J
EMAIL: [e-mail]
DISTRIBUTION: My pitiful fanfic site.
http://beavis.bwave.com/~lilsprout/fanfic.html
But if anyone wants it, just let me know and it shall be yours!!!
RATING: PG
SPOILERS: Sort of "Homecomimg" but not really
SUMMARY: Cordelia goes shopping dragging Xander along with her.
DISCLAIMER: Characters are borrowed from Joss Whedon and crew, as well
as from some folks at the BBC.  No infringement is intended.
FEEDBACK: is a good thing.  But no pressure!

NOTE: This round robin fic was spawned one evening due to the fact that
our real-time on-line Buffy role playing game was cancelled due to real
life happenings.  Great literature it ainÆt, but we had fun doing it.

If you are interested in Buffy chat or want more info on joining our
role-playing group, please check out
http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Shores/4145/

*****

It was Homecoming.  One of CordyÆs favorite times of the year.
Especially since she just knew that she would be named Homecoming Queen.
Although she was dating Xander Harris, she was confident enough that she
would have the votes.  SO confident  in fact that it called for a trip
to the mall.  A new dress was in order.  She decided to bring Xander
along in hopes of forcing him into buying a new suit that looked like he
hadnÆt picked it off the rack!  So with thoughts of a Homecoming victory
in her head, Cordy jumped into her BMW and sped off to pick up Xander.

So Cordy dragged a reluctant Xander off to the mall.  "But I don't NEED
a new suit!  What's wrong with the one I have?" Xander asked.  "Well,
first of all, the jacket is pale blue, secondly, the pants are plaid.
We are NOT going to the dance with you looking like that!"

"Yeah, well..." Xander began.  "What if they theme Homecoming for the
70s?"  Cordy merely glared at him and swung her car into a
smaller-than-average spot at the mall.  It was definitely crowded for a
Saturday, but in the burgh like Sunnydale, where else is there to be?

Cordy swung her door open, dinging the Dodge Dart next to her without a
care in the world while Xander tried to squeeze out carefully next to
the VR6
Golf on his side.  "Cor?" he asked.  "Just how am I to pay for a new
suit?
I'm in highschool!!"

"DonÆt worry about the money.  I have daddyÆs platinum card.  He wonÆt
even notice the charges with all I have to buy today."  Xander groaned.
He decided that he would rather spend the day with Giles cross
referencing.  This "little" shopping trip was gonna earn him some
serious closet time.

Before they entered the mall, Cordy clued him in her mall strategy.
"First we have to go to Sax for the dress.  That should take about 2
hours.  Then another 40 to 45 minutes in the shoe departmentà."

Xander groaned again as Cordy described her plan in detail, taking up
Xander's entire day.   But being the faithful boyfriend, into the fray
he went.  Besides, he didn't have to pay for anything, so it couldn't be
too bad.

After Cordy had been looking at dresses for about 45 minutes, Xander
found himself staring at the watch section of the store as the seconds
of his life ticked by as Cordy tried on dress after dress.  As Xander
tuned out Cordy's frivolous debate on dress, he started humming "Girl
from Ipanema" as it was broadcasted over the store PA system.

"Xander?  What do you think of this one?  Xander?  Xanderrr!"

"Hmm hmm hm hm, the girl from Ipanema goes walking....huh?  Oh!  oh,
yeah yeah it's fine Cor...really, ahà " He started looking closer at the
dress.  "Cor?"

"What?  Does it make me look fat?!  What?!"

"Is there a storage closet nearby?"

Cordy gave Xander a glare that would have frozen the Colorado Hot
Springs.  "Xanderà.this is important.  I have to look my best.  And all
you can think about is finding a closet and making out?"  Xander
swallowed hard.  "Um àuhàà"  He decided in this case that honesty might
actually get him out of the doghouse.  "You look really hot in that
dress. And wellà.just call me hormone boy OK?"

Cordy gave him another dubious look.  Before she could say anything,
Xander backed up a few feet wondering if maybe he was pushing his luck.
Cordy took another look at herself in the mirror before turning back to
Xander.

"Cordy, trust me, you look really great!"  Cordy turned and smiled at
Xander.  "Really?"  Than she whispered in his ear, "Lemme pay for this,
than we'll go find that closet."

Cordy kept the dress on, paying for it with her daddy's credit card.
The two left the store and found a little hall that looked like it might
lead to a broom closet or something, away from the crowds of the mall.

Xander let Cordy lead him down the little hall like the boyfriend he
was.  She
quickly found a door marked Nine West Storage....(Nine West makes nice
shoes if'n ya didn't know.)  "Quick, in here," she said and dragged him
inside.

Xander and Cordy proceeded to engage in quite the long and drawn out
"make out" session.  (Well, to be honest to you the reader, there was a
bit of groping included and....Well, I'll be even more honest....Bill
and Monica would be embarrassed by what these kids did!  However, on the
plus side, Cordy found a pair of pumps in her size that she took as a
lovely parting gift. )

Cordy took a look at her watch.  The were two hours behind schedule!!!!
But what a "two hours" it was!  "Now back to business Xander.  Come on.
We need to go to the MenÆs Department at Neimens."

After they entered the menÆs department, a tallish gentleman with a
balding head and mustache walked up to them and asked if he could be of
assistance.  "My boyfriend needs a suit to go with this dress that wonÆt
make him look like a loser."  The man nodded and called for a sales
assistant.  "Mr. Humphries, are you free?"

"I'm freeeeee!!!"  Xander marveled as the most awkward gentleman
virtually pranced over to where he and Cordy stood.

"And what can I get for the gentleman?"

Xander was ready to quip something nasty back, but Cordy promptly
stamped his foot and interrupted.  "We need to find him something to
match this dress, it's for homecoming and trust me I don't plan on
losing. Anyway we need to fix him up with something that won't let him
look like the loser he pretty much is."

"Well," Mr Humphries said doing that little crossed-arm thing he did
when he was contemplating,  "I think something in a tan double breasted
suit would fit him perfectly!"

A look of concern washed over CordeliaÆs face.  "This wonÆt be
off-the-rack will it?"  Mr. Humphries patted her on the arm.  "DonÆt
worry dearie, weÆll fix him up all pretty for you."  Now a look of
concern washed over XanderÆs face.

Mr. Humphries took hold of XanderÆs arm and lead him behind a partition
to take his measurements.  Cordelia waited patiently.  A few moments
later she heard Xander cry out.  Being Sunnnydale, she grabbed a stake
out of her purse and darted behind the partition.

Cordy swung around the partition, stake in hand, in time to see Mr.
Humphries rolling up his measuring tape and Xander with still a very
startled look on his face.  "Thirty two inch inseam, just as I guess,"
he said and walked past Cordy muttering a quiet "lucky girl" as he
passed.

Cordy looked blankly as he passed and then, putting her stake away,
turned back to Xander.  "Well, that had to be an experience," and
snickered.  It was Xander's turn to glare.  "You better stay near the
dressing rooms at this rate,"  he said and walked back out into the
department.

As Xander brushed past her, she thought she heard Xander mutter
something like "related to Larry", but she was too busy staring at the
woman with purple hair over at the Ladies Counter to take any real
notice.

Cordy chatted a few moments with Mr. Humphries to make sure the suit
would be ready in time for the dance.  Once she was satisfied it would
be, she grabbed Xander and headed on to the next store.

Xander looked on in horror as he saw their next destination.  It was
No-manÆs Territory.  As he struggled against her grip, Xander resigned
himself to his fate.  He was being dragged into an accessory store!

Xander bravely endured the attack of the accessories that Cordy threw at
him.  From lapel pins to cuff links, from a gaggle of earrings to
necklaces of every length, they must have spent a good two hours here as
well.  Before long, Xander stomach possessed him and he turned into
Cro-Xander, dragging his woman off to the food court for dinner.

Xander feasted on an upsized value meal from McDonalds while Cordy
simply picked on a salad.  "You did good today Xander."  "Well it really
wasnÆt all that bad." Xander replied as he remembered their time in the
shoe closet.  "I might even consider doing it again, he stated thinking
it might again gain him some closet time."

"DonÆt worry Xander.  There will be plenty of other chances?" Xander
tried to mask his horror.  "Whaàwhat do you mean _other_ chances?"

"LetÆs see.  After homecoming, thereÆs the Fall Fling, the Christmas
Dance, the Spring Fling, theààà"

Again Xander groaned and resigned himself to his fate.  Besides as long
as there were closets at the mall, heÆd let Cordelia drag him shopping.

~End~



______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 05 Nov 1998 18:41:20 -0600
From: Samantha McCullah <[e-mail]>
Subject: BUFFYFIC: That Stupid Jerk (1/1)

TITLE: That Stupid Jerk (1/1)
AUTHOR: Samantha McCullah
EMAIL: [e-mail]
DISTRIBUTION: Just keep my name attached
SPOILERS: Homecoming
CONTENT: angst
RATING: PG-13
SUMMARY: Willow contemplates Xander
DISCLAIMER: If I owned them, do you think I'd still be writing
fanfic? Joss owns 'em, not me. The poem quoted is owned by Maggie
Estep

words in << >> are parts of the poem
- ------------------------
That Stupid Jerk (1/1)
by Samantha McCullah

He kissed me.

Eleven years of knowing him, ten years of loving him, and he
finally kisses me. He kisses me just when I'm finally in a
relationship I like that's not with some demon. I could
kill him. I really could.

<<The stupid jerk I'm obsessed with
  Stands so close to me
  I can feel his breath
  On my neck>>

Why couldn't we have kissed before? Before Buffy, or Oz, or
Cordy, or anyone else, but no, he kisses me now before my
first Homecoming dance with a guy that's not Xander. I don't
know whether to scream or cry, and usually when I'm feeling
like this, I call Xander. But I can't.

<<And smell
  the way he would smell
  if we slept together>>

I want to know why I'm so confused all of a sudden. I was *so*
over Xander last year when I started dating Oz. When I caught
him and Cordy together, kissing. Just like he kissed me.

I still don't know what he sees in her. We've hated Cordy for
years, and we even formed a 'We Hate Cordelia' club. He's changed
her, though. She's actually, dare I say it?, nice.

<<and that is his primary function in life
  to be a stupid jerk I can obsess over
  and to talk to that dingy bimbette
  as if he really wanted to hear about her
  manicures and
  pedicures and
  New Age ritualistic enema cures>>

He doesn't know I heard him the hospital. I heard him say 'I
love you', but I didn't want to believe he'd actually said it.
I wanted so much to believe that it had been Oz that said it.

But no, it was Xander. All it took was for me to nearly die, and
suddenly he loved me. All it took was a change of clothing, and
suddenly he kissed me. Sometimes, Xander can be a real idiot.

<<because he is the stupid jerk I'm obsessed with
  and he's obsessed with doing anything he can
  to lend fuel to my fire>>

I need to tell someone, anyone. But I can't tell Oz or Cordy or
Xander, obviously, and Buffy has enough problems so I'm left
alone to try and work out my feelings. I can't even tell my parents
because they never approved of Oz in the first place.

What am I gonna do?

<<I'm too busy
  looking at the way the stupid jerk I'm obsessed with
  has pants on that perfectly define his well-shaped ass
  to the point I'm thoroughly frantic.>>

Maybe I'll go find a vamp to beat up to work out my frustrations.
Maybe I just need to sleep on it. Yeah a good night's sleep. Maybe
I'll dream of Oz and not Xander. I hope.

<<He's the stupid jerk I'm obsessed with
  and he's mine...
  And frankly, I couldn't be happier.>>

What am I gonna do?

*Fin*
- ------------------

Feedback is appreciated!

Also if anyone wants a complete copy of the poem, just email me.


Sam
"It's a human trait, remembering things the way we
wish they'd been. We rewrite history so that we can
live with it. You ask the Russians. Or come to that,
ask the Americans or the British."
            -- Methos

Unholy Allies -- http://roswell.fortunecity.com/gypsy/190/index.html
Do you have any Buffy/Spike fanfic? Send it to [e-mail] and I'll
put in the above archive.

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 06 Nov 1998 14:00:59 PST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: BUFFYFIC: If You'd Listen

TITLE: If YouÆd Listen
AUTHOR: Alex Queirolo
E-MAIL: [e-mail]
FAN-FIC SITE: http://www.angelfire.com/co/alexfic/index.html
SUMMARY: The missing Angel scenes from TED
SPOILERS: Um, TED. Oh ya..and WhatÆs My Line.
RATING: PG. Angst. A couple bad words.
DISCLAIMER: The characters are not mine. Joss is god. The situations
are. I am not god.
DEDICATION: To Leona for putting me up. To my sis just because. And to
Lex cuz she asked for it. And to my friends on the board cuz you rock.
MUSICAL SELECTIONS: Runaway Train by Soul Asylum, Background by Third
Eye Blind and Let the Sun Fall Down by Kim Richey. The title hails
from NeroÆs Rome.
FURTHER AUTHORÆS NOTES: The first section takes place after Buffy gets
grounded, the second after the ôdeathö of Ted and the third after the
real death of Ted.
FEEDBACK: Please.



ôBought a ticket for a runaway train
Like a mad man laughing at the rain
A little out of touch, little insane
ItÆs just easier than dealing with the pain.ö


He was lying on his bed reading when she stepped through the door into
his small apartment. Her first thought as her blue eyes settled on his
muscular form was that the book he held in his hand looked old. The
pages were a dull yellow and looked painfully brittle. How ironic.

He glanced up from his original edition of ShakespeareÆs ôRomeo and
Julietö when he heard the door click shut.  He was about to casually
toss off a warm greeting to his beautiful girlfriend but stopped cold
when he saw the look on her face.

A million things at once. Confusion. Fear. Anger. Sadness. Something
was wrong and it showed in the dark shadows surrounding her eyes.
Moaning softly, Angel started to sit up, intending to go to her. It
still hurt to move but she was worth the pain.

She never gave him the chance. She moved quickly across the room and
propelled herself into his arms. Immediately, he wrapped an arm around
her and began to lightly stroke her back. He could feel her nuzzling
herself against his chest, her delicate arms winding around his waist.

ôBuffy, honey..whatÆs wrong?ö Angel asked softly, planting a soft kiss
on top of her blonde head. He slipped a hand under her shirt and began
to gently knead the tense muscles he felt there.

ôTed,ö Buffy Summers muttered, closing her eyes and pressing her face
into the meat of his shoulder. Normally she would have laid her head
against his chest but even as upset as she quite obviously was, she
was still mindful of his recent injuries.

ôAh,ö Angel nodded thoughtfully. ôTed. What happened?ö He wove the
hand that wasnÆt beneath her shirt into her blonde hair and started
gently playing with it, moving the strands between his fingers. HeÆd
once gotten her to fall asleep in his arms by playing with her hair
and while that wasnÆt exactly the angle he was aiming for now, any
degree of relaxation and calm would be welcome.

ôHeÆs a creep,ö Buffy said petulantly, moaning softly as his hand went
to work on easing a particularly painful knot of muscle in her upper
back. She arched against it, her eyes falling shut.

ôGo on,ö he urged softly, his voice almost too low to be heard. He
pressed his thumb into the muscle and moved it in a slow hard circle,
smiling grimly when she cried out again. She was caught in between
absolute agony and sheer ecstasy. Moving his digit in closer, he
worked on coaxing the knot loose.

ôHeÆs gonna marry my mom,ö Buffy said bitterly. ôGod, Angel..heÆs
crazed. Like Stepfather crazed.ö

Angel lifted an eyebrow,ö I donÆt follow.ö

She waved a hand absently and then moaned again as the knot finally
began to loosen under AngelÆs constant assault. ôIt was a movie about
a stepfather who was a psychotic serial killer.ö

ôAnd you think thatÆs Ted?ö Angel asked her gently, not wanting her to
think he was making fun of her.

ôWell maybe.ö Buffy said, her lower lip protruding. ôHeÆs definitely
psycho but momÆs all æooh TedÆ. Yuck. ItÆs not normal.ö

ôBuffy..ö

ôNo!ö Her head shot up from his shoulder and she wrenched away from
him, whimpering softly at the pain in her back. Shaking her head, she
stared back at him. ôYou donÆt understand. The way my mom acts is like
a trained golden retriever.. not like someone in love. ItÆs suddenly
like he owns her.ö

ôLove makes you do the wacky. You told me that,ö Angel reminded her,
reaching out to pull her back into his arms.

She shook her head forcefully. ôSheÆs not in love with him. ItÆs not
possible.ö She looked up at Angel and saw the soft sympathetic smile
he was giving her. Immediately she pushed herself away from him again
and began to pace angry circles in front of his bed, looking deeply
troubled.

ôBuffy, talk to me.ö Angel urged, stepping towards her.

ôHe said he was gonna hit me, Angel. And he meant it. He got all
power-pissed because he caught me cheating at mini-golf and he said he
was gonna hit me.ö

ôWhat?ö Angel said sharply, his body tensing. Her narrowed his eyes
dangerously and made a low growling noise in the back of his throat.
She seemed oblivious to his change in demeanor however because she
continued her agitated pacing.

ôAnd when I told mom, she didnÆt believe me! I mean..how fucked up is
that? LetÆs see here; big ugly creepy guy or daughter. ThereÆs a
fairly tough one there. You know what, I think IÆm gonna hafta go with
the one that cooks. On second thought mom, great choice..ö

Angel reached out and grabbed her arm, spinning her out of her angry
stride. ôBuffy, calm down and talk to me. Did he hit you? Has he
touched you?ö

ôNo, no, no,ö Buffy replied, shaking her head. ôNo, he hasnÆt hit me
or tried to..yet. But in the meanwhile, IÆm the bad child and I canÆt
talk to my dad because heÆs happy that momÆs happy.ö She threw up her
hands. ôGod, this sucks.ö

He took her hand in his and pressed a kiss to it. Then he pulled her
into his arms and settled her head beneath his chin. He winced as her
body settled against the healing flesh of his exposed chest. She
opened her mouth to protest but was quickly silenced by the softness
of his lips pressing against hers. She let out a soft throaty moan and
then wrapped herself around him. It was he that finally broke the
passionate embrace.

ôItÆs okay,ö he promised. ôYour mom is a smart woman. She wonÆt let
anyone get away with hurting you.ö

ôTed touches me and IÆll kill him,ö Buffy grunted, a half-smile
perking her upper lip.

ôHe touches you, IÆll eat him,ö Angel replied, kissing her nose. She
giggled but didnÆt dissuade him and it wasnÆt long before that too
became lips on lips in a manner that would have put the Hoover vacuum
cleaner to shame.

ôMmm,ö Buffy murmured, finally breaking away albeit reluctantly. ôI
have to get home.ö She slipped her hands up against his cool skin and
then rested her head against him, allowing him to breathe in the smell
of strawberry shampoo. She felt him shiver as she ran her small
fingers across the tattoo. For some bizarre reason, it was a major
ôyesö spot for him.

ôDo you have to?ö Angel whispered, lowering his head to gently nibble
on her ear. Closing his eyes, he took in both the taste of her in his
mouth and the feel of her soft hands against his back.

She chuckled lightly before turning around and then standing on her
tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips. ôTechnically IÆm grounded.ö

His eyes shot open,öWhy?ö

She shrugged, ôI told mom and the Evil Bastard that IÆd want to kill
myself if they got married.ö

ôBuffy..ö

ôI know, I know. But Angel, believe meàthis guy is no Mr..Mr. Brady.
HeÆs loco in the cabasa.ö

He ran a hand over her cheek. ôIÆm sorry you have to deal with this.ö
When his fingers reached her mouth, she kissed the tips.

ôItÆll be okay,ö Buffy assured him, suddenly unwilling to let him
worry about her. He had enough problems to deal with. Especially since
he had been kidnapped by Spike and Dru. Sighing, she said softly, ôI
have to go.ö

ôI know,ö Angel replied sadly, tracing a finger across her jawline. He
wished he could pull her back into his arms and just wrap her tightly
in his embrace. ôBut do me a favor, okay?ö

She lifted an eyebrow but never hesitated, ôAnything.ö

ôStop by here in the morning. Just..just so I know youÆre okay. And..ö
he smiled shyly, looking very much like a little boy. ôJust so I can
go to sleep happy.ö

She blushed and then nodded. ôIÆll drop by before I go to school.
ôReaching up, she pressed her lips to his once again and then deepened
the kiss. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to relax into the
passionate embrace. So much in fact that she barely felt him walk her
over to the bed.

ôYouÆre so tense, Buffy.ö He whispered, his hands once again sliding
beneath her shirt. He saw her nod her agreement so he smiled. ôWeÆll
fix that and then you can go home, okay?ö

She chuckled,öYouÆre the man with the hands.ö


This section takes place after the ôdeathö of Ted.

ôAnd I'm hanging on your words like I always used to do,
The words they use so lightly, I only feel for youö


By nine-thirty A.M., he was pacing nervously. Anxious and agitated and
needing sleep desperately, he continued to rhythmically clench and
unclench his fists. And even as it threatened to shut down, his mind
continued to pour over the possibilities.

Perhaps she had merely slept in. He could still clearly recall the
dark circles that had been lurking beneath her bright blue eyes when
sheÆd come to see him the previous night. Things hadnÆt been easy for
the little Slayer as of late. For any of them really but Buffy had the
bad habit of taking everything upon herself. Which naturally made her
run herself into the ground. So it made some kind of sense that she
might hit the snooze button on her alarm and snuggle back into the
soft pillows of her bed.

Only Joyce would never let Buffy sleep in on a school morning. He knew
for certain because the tiny blonde Slayer was always bitching about
it. If Buffy wasnÆt in the kitchen by a quarter to eight at the
latest, then she would be removed from the bed. Forcibly if need be.

So strike that idea.

Well okay. So maybe sheÆd taken too long getting ready and Joyce had
had to take her to school. Buffy would have protested but her mother
was on some new reform kick that involved ensuring that Buffy at least
got to school on time. That was a possibility.  It had happened
before. So why hadnÆt she at least called. She always did when she
couldnÆt make it because of some unforeseen circumstance. So why
hadnÆt she?

ôMaybe sheÆs hurt,ö Angel murmured aloud. His nails dug into the meat
of his palm as his pace quickened, tracing the same path that Buffy
had frantically worked the night before in her own frustration. He
stopped and shook his head. ôNo.ö

She was fine. She had to be. If something had happened to her, he
would have known.

In theory.

Reaching across the bed, he grabbed at the cordless that was nestled
into the crack where the wall met the mattress. He had put it there
the night before so that he wouldnÆt have to scurry for the phone
should she decide to call him to vent more frustration or even just to
talk. He dialed the library quickly and waited impatiently as the
phone rang. Once. Twice. Three times.

ôHello?ö Willow Rosenberg finally answered. She sounded distracted.

ôWillow, hi. WhereÆs Buffy?ö Angel blurted out quickly. His fingers
tangled in the sheets as he fought to make himself comfortable. It was
a losing battle. Finally he stood again and resumed his anxious pacing.

There was a pause and then Willow replied,öBuffyÆsànot here.ö

ôWhere is she then? Class?ö

ôAngel..somethingÆs happened,ö Willow said cautiously.

The moment she said the words, he felt his heart crash to his knees
and his stomach heaved violently. ôIs she alright?ö he whispered.

ôPhysically sheÆs fine. Emotionally..sheÆs a wreck.ö There was a pause
and then she said softly, ôTed is dead.ö

ôWha? What happened?ö Angel gasped out, slowly catching on.

ôThe police report as of right now says that he fell down the stairs
and broke his neck. And that Buffy is responsible for it. They havenÆt
charged her with anything..yet. SheÆs taking it pretty hard though.ö

ôI imagine,ö Angel murmured thoughtfully. ôBut youÆve seen her this
morning, right? You know sheÆs not hurt, right?ö

ôXander and I saw her briefly but then she took off. We havenÆt seen
or heard from her since. We were kinda hoping that sheÆd gone to see
you.ö

ôI wish,ö Angel replied, sighing deeply. ôAlright, maybe sheÆll still
show up.ö

ôIf she does, call here. WeÆre all worried. She..she wasnÆt herself
this morning. Iæve never seen her this upset and down on herself. And
you know how she can get..ö

ôI do,ö Angel agreed, thinking about how stubborn his little blonde
girlfriend was. She had a hell of a time asking for help and it tended
to get her into trouble that would be almost certainly fatal for the
average mortal. Then again, Buffy Summers was anything but average.

ôIf we hear from her, IÆll call you,ö Willow promised. Then she added,
ôDonÆt worry, weÆll get her through this.ö

ôThanks, Will.ö Angel replied softly. He sighed once more and then
removed the phone from his ear and punched the ôoffö button. Frowning
thoughtfully, he crossed over to the closet. He opened it and stared
down at the still boxed eighteen inch color Sony. ItÆd been an
impulsive purchase heÆd made right after heÆd moved into the
apartment. And then of course heÆd remembered that he had no use for
television.

Dragging it out, he tore through the packaging until he got the TV,
leaving a chaotic circle of debris around him. He pulled it free of
the box and then stared at it thoughtfully. The plugging in part made
sense at least. Electricity. Power.

He reached across and pulled the clock free from the wall and quickly
plugged in the cord for the TV. After frowning at it for a moment, he
finally jabbed at the gray and white button under the screen labeled
ôpowerö. The screen flashed brightly and came to life, assaulting his
eyes. Involuntarily, he growled.

HeÆd been with Buffy when she channel-surfed as she called it. What it
looked like to him was organized but randomized insanity. Stations
flashing by quicker than the human mind could possibly register and
causing the viewer to take on a glazed if not slightly euphoric gleam
to their eyes. It was nauseating. So the question then became, how did
she do it?

The remote. He saw it lying in a plastic bag with an oversized white
book and two small batteries. He tore through the plastic and pulled
out the remote and the batteries. After a few moments of cautious
study, he finally but them into the back of the channel-changer. Then
he hit the button with the arrow pointing up.

The channels flew by in a hypnotic show of light and shapes. ôWoah,ö
he murmured as the bright colors assaulted him. And then he stopped.

ôàSunnydale High student is under suspicion but has yet to be charged.
At this time, it has not been determined if Ted BuchanonÆs death was
accidental or intentional. Detective Rick Stein of the Sunnydale
Police Department has promised a full investigation and is quick to
assure that the truth will be forthcoming.ö There was a pause and then
the newsman looked dead-on at the camera. ôIÆm Ken Hill for Channel
Seven news.ö

Angel slid back against his bed. ôOh God, Buffy.ö No wonder sheÆd left
school. The media, everyone was looking at her as if she was a
cold-blooded killer. And if he knew Buffy the way he thought he did,
she was probably agreeing with them.

He slammed his fist into his palm and growled. ôDammit.ö He should
have known better than to let her go back to where she was as upset as
sheÆd been. As it were, sheÆd been hanging on to her temper by the
slimmest of all possible threads.

Angel stopped his line of thought abruptly. Buffy wasnÆt a killer. A
warrior for the good guys but not a murderer. That meant that Ted had
done something to her.

He narrowed his dark eyes dangerously. Maybe it was a good thing that
Buffy had killed Ted then because if the bastard had still been living
after heÆd in any way hurt Buffyà

Angel chuckled humorously as he realized that he would have killed the
man without a second thought for even touching Buffy.

Only Buffy had gotten there first. And was falling apart because of it.

Closing his eyes tightly, Angel silently begged for his beautiful
blonde girlfriend to walk through his door. To step into his apartment
and into his waiting arms.

This part takes place after the real death of Ted.


ôThat old dark cloud
Acts like he owns you
He takes up too much time
Time you could be spending holding me
But he canÆt have you now.ö



He pushed the doors to the hospital lobby open and rushed in, looking
every bit the part of the concerned and anxious boyfriend that he was.
Looking around wildly, his eyes finally settled on the three
Slayerettes huddled next to the soda machine. Willow was speaking
softly, calmly, as if she was explaining something important. His
heart aching more than heÆd ever thought possible, Angel made his way
over to them. ôWhere is she? Is she alright?ö

Willow turned quickly and favored him with a small half-smile. ItÆd
been she that had called him less than twenty minutes earlier from the
admissions desk of the Emergency Room. Reaching out, she grabbed his
uninjured hand and gave it a squeeze. ôSheÆs fine. A little bruised
but fine.ö

ôWho did this to her?ö Angel demanded.

Willow glanced over at Cordelia, ôWould you?ö

ôYa,ö Cordy nodded, stepping a foot closer to Angel. Xander rolled his
eyes and then followed after Willow as she made her way over to the
admissions desk. ôItÆs a long story,ö the tall cheerleader began as
she led him to a row of chairs.

He barely paid any attention to her lengthy explanation that was
filled with her snappy commentary. Instead he watched the desk where
Willow and Xander were calmly talking to the head nurse. Finally he
rose from the chair and crossed over to join them, leaving Cordelia
alone and slack-jawed. After a beat, she followed.

ôI know I was talking,ö Cordelia admonished, slapping him lightly on
the forearm. He tossed her a wary if not slightly apologetic
half-smile and then turned back to the desk.

ôWhatÆs going on? Is there a problem?ö

The nurse lifted an eyebrow, ôAnd you are?ö

Angel growled low in throat, frustrated by the womanÆs question.
DidnÆt she understand that only Buffy mattered? Luckily, Willow
stepped in. ôHeÆs BuffyÆs boyfriend. HeÆs just worried. We all are.
You said sheÆs okay..so why canÆt we see and why hasnÆt she been
released?ö

ôWell, because she needs an adult to sign her release forms and her
mother is still sleeping. We expect her to remain as such until
morning.ö

ôAnd her father?ö Xander queried.

ôWe havenÆt been able to get ahold of him. And the other person Ms.
Summers mentioned is also unreachable.ö

ôGiles?ö Willow questioned. The nurse nodded.

ôYou just need a legal adult to sign the papers, rightö Angel asked,
tapping his fingers anxiously against the desk. The nurse shot him an
irritated glare so he stopped.

ôThatÆs right. YouÆre over eighteen?ö The nurse asked, a hint of
amusement in her gray eyes.

ôI am,ö Angel replied dryly.

ôYouÆre a little old to be dating a sixteen year old girl, arenÆt
you?ö she queried, reaching across the desk for a clipboard with
release forms attached to it.

He shot her a wary look and took the board from her. Teeth clenched in
frustration, he went to work on filling out the necessary paperwork.


ôSo weÆll tell her mom that Giles signed her release forms,ö Willow
instructed the group as they walked down the hospital hallway.

ôWhich he would have if anyone knew where the hell he was,ö Xander
commented, pointing dramatically at a door. The group entered slowly,
cautiously.

She was sitting by a large white bed that was holding her mothersÆ
sleeping form. Angel cast a quick cursory glance over the older
Summers woman and then nodded slowly. SheÆd be fine.

ôBuffy,ö Willow chirped, reaching over to squeeze her best friendsÆ
free left hand. The right one was holding a blue ice pack to her jaw
which looked to be several different shades of purple and blue. The
swelling had really kicked in. ôAre you okay?ö

She took away the ice pack and nodded slowly. ôIÆm fine, Will. We both
are, thanks to you guys.ö She stepped over to Xander and gave him a
peck on the cheek. ôThank you for calling the ambulance for my mom. I
guess I was a little out of it.ö

Xander lifted and eyebrow and then shrugged. ôSure, anything for my
Buffster. How are you feeling?ö

ôLike I hate this place,ö Buffy muttered beneath her breath. And then
she turned towards the dark shadows that consumed the corners of the
rooms. ôWould you stop lurking, please?ö

ôSorry. Habit,ö Angel apologized, stepping forward to take the tiny
Slayer into his arms. He kissed her hair and then lifted her hand back
to push the icepack against her jaw again.

ôGod, IÆm glad thatÆs over,ö she murmured, relaxing into his hold. And
then her eyes flew open and she separated herself from him. ôWait a
minute! What the hell are you doing out of bed? YouÆre hurt..ö

He smirked. ôSo are you. Why donÆt you let me take you home so you can
get some rest. You look beat.ö

ôBut mom..ö

ôWill be fine,ö Willow soothed. ôGo home and sleep.ö Her tone was firm.

ôBut..ö

ôIÆd listen to her when she gets like that,ö Cordelia suggested as she
gazed at her nails with a frown. ôDamn, I chipped one. Gross.ö

Sighing deeply, Buffy finally relented. ôFine. Did Giles sign my
papers?ö

ôI did,ö Angel said quickly. ôSo no more questions. YouÆre going to
bed. Now.ö


She was practically sleepwalking by the time he led her into her
bedroom. Giving her a quick kiss, he urged her towards the bathroom so
that she could get ready for bed. While she was gone, he pulled the
drapes tightly around the window so that the light wouldnÆt be a
problem come morning.

She re-entered the bedroom wearing blue and white boxers that looked
awfully familiar and an oversized white menÆs tee-shirt. He lifted an
eyebrow. ôMine?ö She just smirked and made her way over to where he
was sitting on the bed. Reaching out, she wrapped an arm around him
and then placed her head lightly on his shoulder.

ôAre you okay?ö he asked. ôI mean..really okay?ö

ôIÆm fine. A little shaken up maybe but IÆm me. Everyone is finally
okay. And Ted is gone.ö She sombered up a bit as she thought about it.
He opened his mouth to question her but was stopped by the feel of her
body leaning against his as she tried to embrace sleep.

She gently pushed her balled fist into the meat of his shoulder as if
she was trying to make him a more comfortable pillow and then she
settled against him. Drowsily she murmured, ôGÆnight Angel.ö

He kissed her lightly, ôSleep well.ö Weaving a hand into her hair, he
pulled her even closer so that he could feel the pressure of her heart
beating.  He watched thoughtfully as her breathing slowed into a
gentle pattern and she finally slipped into the first restful sleep
sheÆd had in days.

Pulling the blanket up and around them, he shifted his body so that he
was holding her completely, hands meeting in front of her. He pressed
his cheek against hers and then set to watching her sleep.

- -FIN




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