"Hey, Baby." He was overwhelmed and shocked by her actions. She hadn't seen him in a long time. He became even more uneasy when Buffy began to cry. Her body shook in sobs and Hank Summers held her tighter. Sharing her pain. "I know, Sweetie. I know. Shhhh..."
They walked back into the house after Buffy had calmed down. Tears still stained her cheeks, making her look as if she were ill. Angel as arguing with Cordelia about what decisions they had to make together and what they should make on their own. As the door opened to a slightly familiar man and yet an obvious relationship to Buffy, with her wraped with his arm by his side, distraut, Angel sat up and immediatly ignored the conversation.
"Buffy?" He rushed to her opposite side and bent his body so that his eyes met hers. He saw the reoccuring pain and sorrow. He cupped her cheeks and wiped the strains of salty water from her face with his thumbs. She finally looked up at him. Her eyes became filled with tears again. Briming in fact. Angel gave her a sympathetic look and wrapped his arms around her body as she rested her head on his shoulder and clung to his neck and shoulders. The two men held and soothed Buffy. After an hour she had cried herself into a deep sleep of exhaustion and Angel carried and placed her into her bed. He stood there, watching her for a few seconds before walking out and closing the door only to a crack. He wanted to make damn sure that he would hear her if she were to wake and start crying again. She wouldn't call for him if she did. And he knew that she would keep it to herself, not wanting anyone's pity. And he knew that he couldn't, no wouldn't let her do that. It was a possibility that Buffy would make herself sick. She had a habit of doing that.
********
The clouds above crowded the sun, it couldn't breath, it was... overwhelmed. The grass that Buffy stood upon was the greenest that she had ever seen. So fresh, and lush, so full of life. She, too, was surrounded by people. Weeping. No smiles were given where she was at. Her spirit was as damaged as anyone else's around at that moment. Perhaps, in her case, more. The preacher gave his blessings to the best, and gave worthless hopes that her loss went to heaven. As everyone departed, separating from one another, leaving the cemetery to rest, leaving their lost family member, and friend there she laid a single rose on the casket. Buffy stared at the crafted wood that carried the past. Everything from her past laid in that box. And everything from her past was being buried. Most dead, others...alive. Either way, they were leaving her forever. Of course, she would always have her memories of the special times she had with her mother. Tears rolled freely down her face as these thoughts webbed her mind. Everything was different now. Although the good had finally come into her life, it was only following the bad. She wasn't sure of whether she deserved the happiness that she and Angel were given the oppertunity to have. At the expense of her mother's death, figurativly, she didn't know if she could live with it. Would guilt override it, the fun, the sweet nights that Angel and her would have...The joy of children? Oh gods...Children. Where did that come from? Buffy Asked herself.
Angel came up from behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder, letting her know of his presense. Buffy was preoccupied to hardly notice. She had entered a world of darkness the day she was born. For years she has fought for good against the evil that planned to overrun the light, but she was now being betrayed with everything going wrong. The world had turned it's back on her.ܥe # , ( , l , l s ( T A ) s Times New Roman Symbol Arial Times New Roman Times New Roman Times New Roman
Disclaimer: The author does not own the characters depicted herein.
Caela and Willow sat together on the porch swing outside of Buffy's house. The air was just begining to warm, and the morning clouds were starting to disipate. Caela's right leg was tucked under her as the other controlled the movement of the swing, since Willow's legs were completly curled up at her side.
"So, when is it exactly that you are to 'come to age?'" Willow was still intrigued with the information that Caela had not an hour ago explained to everyone in a group. She wanted all of the details, not just the important ones.
"Eighteen." She looked up from watching a bee land on a flower in the pot next to her. "After that, I am able to accompany Angel and Buffy in the fight."
"What are you supose to do now, while you wait I mean?" Willow peered into Caela's downcasted eyes.
"Exactly that, wait." Caela played it off that it didn't bother her. "Within a year, observing Buffy and training with Giles I will be able to equal my ability and strength with her's. After that," Caela continued. "My senses will grow."
"What do you mean your sense will grow?" Willow looked enlightened. "You mean that you will have like a sixth sense, maybe even a 7th?"
"Possibly. I am not sure really. All they tell me is that they will grow. I don't know if that means that they will just expand in recognition or in numbers." She shruged.
Willow was awe struck. "Wow." Was all she could say, her eyes wide as she stared at Caela and absorbed the information and possibilities that they could inhabit.
"Hey guys!" Buffy stepped out onto the porch. "Whats up?" She approached the swinging bench.
"Nothin'" Willow and Caela starred up at her from their seats. "In fact, I was just going to go and get something to eat." Willow stood up and smiled at the other two girls and walked into the house, shutting the door behind her.
Buffy sat down in Willow's former seat. "Ahhh..." She sighed and leaned into the swing. "So, whatcha thinkin'?" Buffy noticed how Caela was a littletoo involved with her own thoughts.
No response...
"Caela......" Buffy waved a hand in front of the teen's face.
"Hmmm?" Caela shook herself out of it. "Whats that?" Trying to make it seem as if she was paying attention the whole time.
"Whats up? Somethin' on your mind?" Buffy turned her body more to face her.
Deep breath. "I was just wondering what its going to be like from no on." She looked down at her shoe's laces. "I no longer live in Irelan'. I live in Sunny California, as Pike calls it." She mumbles the last part. "I will never have complete control over my body." She paused. Thinking of what she was about to say. "I have a new family." A deep breath. "One that I am related to in ways that people only dream about." She looked at Buffy, tears from stress and knowledge of these things threatened at her eyes. "Buffy, I'm not sure if I should be happy or disappointed in leaving Ireland and staying here. Because I'm not sure what the consequenses are. I'm not sure which one would be better to stay in according to the future. I'm just...lost." Caela watched her hands as they fidgetted.
"Caela, you just have to go with your gut feeling. W hy? Have I done something- "Buffy?"
Her head snapped, startled by Angel's voice. He gave her a "I'm- Sorry- I-didn't-mean-to-scare-you" look. His arm was wrapped completly across the top of her back and shoulder. Buffy leaned into his chest and simply took comfort in that position for a time. She needed to recoop before confronting her friends. She didn't like being sad. Not even for something like this. She wanted to keep it all together. Move on. Make it feel like nothing has changed and hope that her life will go on just so.
Angel kissed the top of her head and turned them to walk to the limo. There seemed to be double the people that had been expected at the funeral. Concidering all of her mother and father's friends from L.A. plus those from Sunnydale. Buffy let Angel guide her to the oversized car and set her inside. Sitting next to her, Angel not only kept his grip on her shoulder but he also placed his open hand on her knee, softly rubbing the smooth skin with his fingers. Buffy seemed to calm emensly since they had gotten settled into their seats. It almost made Angel sick to know that it wouldn't last once they arrived at the reception. One of Joyce's friends had offered to host it at her house. Everything was taken care of. Buffy and her friends didn't have to worry about clean up duty once everyone left. She didn't even have to stay the whole time if she didn't feel comfortable.
The house was emense, it was a no wonder that this woman had offered up her place for an equal amount of bodies. Punch and other beverages were set out on the tables as well as cookies, brownies, tarts and other treats for people to snack on. Buffy walked in with her hand in the crook of Angel's arm. Her fingers squeezed the material of his suit. She seemed to be nervous to Angel, she was sweating. Angel could understand why she was though. Buffy didn't like new people, they always made her uneasy. She didn't mind meeting new people, as long as they were good and not some demonic immitation of a human being. This was a little overwhelming. Too many people would give her unwanted sympathy. Either that or want to tell her, "She was a very loved person," or, "We'll miss her," and Buffy didn't want to hear anything that would bring up any related topics to her mother at the moment. She wanted to relax and do something that would get her mind off of all the bad things. Buffy could only think of one thing, but it was highly over rated concidering the moment at hand. She would just have to bare with it.
Buffy kept to a selective group of people. Willow, Xander, Giles, sometimes Anya, Cordelia, who was surprisingly being very conciderate of everything and was Willow mentioned? Oh, and of course Angel was included in that group. He didn't leave her side the whole time. When one of them had to use the facilities the other would wait close by at the door. They had been away from Buffy's house for over five hours now and Angel had gone to the rest room once they had arrived at the reception, it was again, his turn to visit the restroom. Buffy leaned against the wall connecting to the frame of the door and waited patently for him to finish.
Around the corner were two women who seemed to resemble the age of Buffy's mother. Possibly collegues of her's as well. They each held punch in their hands. Not knowing that Buffy was nearby, they continued their conversation. "I don't know how she's doing to deal with this. It must be so hard. Who did you say her daughter was going to stay with? She can't possibly want to stay here with all of the memories and continue college." The red head pointed out her obvious opinion of where Buffy should go after this was over with.
"I don't know. I don't think they've discussed it." The "dyed" blonde queried. After taking a sip of her punch, "But one thing's for sure, things aren't going to be easy on her. I can't imagine the pain this girl is induring, loosing her mother just as she moved out on her own."
Buffy's eyes went wide and what was being said. All of her weight was dependent on the wall and her feet. Her feet failed her and broke out beneath her body just as Angel was exiting the bathroom. Buffy was now scrunched in a huddle of her arms wrapping her legs, crying. Her sobs were not noticable to other people, but Angel knew better. He panicked, he was only in for a minute and now he has returned to a girl that seemed to have been seperated from her heart. "Buffy? Whats wrong?" Angel knelt down in front of her. He lifted her head with his hands and moved some of her perfectly organized curls from her face. He wipped some more tears away from her soft skin, looking at her for an explaination of what was going on.
"Taking me home, Angel. Please." Buffy cried out in whispers.
"Okay. Okay. Lets go." Buffy clung to his neck and hugged him close to her. Angel knew that he couldn't get out of the house without someone knowing that she was crying and distraut. He looked around him and noticed that the kitchen was now empty. He scooped her up into his arms and carried her through the kitchen and out of the back door. Angel carried her the whole way home, not wanting to take th limo, the only ride for the others. The two finally arrived to Buffy's living room and sat down together on the couch. Angel scooted into the corner and guided Buffy's body near his to rest her head against his chest as she sat next to him. Buffy shot up her head just as she seemed to have gotten comfortable.
"Angel?" He looked at her.
"Hmm?"
"I lost my ring." Angel knew exactly what she was talking about, but he didn't understand what had brought on the question.
"I have it." Angel let the origin of her question lay unanswered.
"What? Why didn't you give it back to me?" Buffy was shocked. Ever since she left it in the mansion, she had just plainly forgoten about it. Until now.
"I thought that you didn't want it anymore. We knew that we couldn't truly be together. So, I figured why not save you the pain or remembering what we couldn't have." Angel saw the hurt in her eyes and the mention of remembering something.
"I understand...But everything's different now. You're different. We can...We can be together." Buffy caught herself, but was still able to say what needed to be said. She pushed herself up a little, not too far away from his body though. "I love you." Buffy came right out and said it.
"I love you too." Angel reverted his eyes from her lips. But Buffy was no help at all to keep that evening neutral. Buffy put her unavailable hand on his cheek, in which Angel leaned into, and kissed him. What started as a sweet casual kiss, grew to something more of meaning and passion. Their love for one another was expressed through this kiss and they continued where they sat. Without worries and a conscious mind of what was going on, Buffy and Angel made love. They had just forgoten that Hank Summers was invited to share the house with everyone else. While Willow and Xander stayed at their places for the night. Oh, the explainations they would have to come up with...
*****
Finally, Caela felt that it was time to leave the reception and return to the house. Of course, its was a half an hour after Buffy and Angel had snuck out first. She felt abandoned, but immediatly forgiving. She wasn't entirly the number one thing on everyone's mind at the moment. There were other things on people's minds. The limo dropped everyone off at different places; Willow at the dorms, Xander at his house, Giles at his appartment, Pike, Caela, Cordelia, Hank and Wesley were all dropped off at Buffy's place. Now, since everyone has become more familiar with their surroundings and the situation of things going on, everyone had their own place to sleep, or at least a spot to sleep in. Hank in what was Joyce's bedroom, Wesley in the guest room, Pike on the floor with his sleeping bag to leave Cordelia and Caela the couch's fold out bed. The two girls were getting along astonishingly well, concidering Cordy's lack of tact towards things. Caela held the knowledge of the Powers That Be, or at least some knowledge, that Cordelia was highly interested in. Well, curious as to why they gave her the unwelcomed gift of "mind numbing" prophetic visions.
Caela was the one to first enter. She was given a key to the house, since there was a big chance that she would be staying for a while. Buffy wanted to make sure that she was given the feeling of a open house.
Caela was bombarded with a rush of intimacy and urgentcy. The Powers began to "speak" to her once again. She was given the vision of Buff's bedroom, except Buffy wasn't the only occupant in those walls. Angel caressed Buffy's bare back and shoulders. She, too, did her fair share of caresses. Her hands roamed his tattooed back as they kissed passionatly. The two were so very caught up in one another that they didn't hear the rest of the group come through the door. They were one, thats all that mattered. Their time together had been restricted in the begining, but now, now they were allowed to love, to express their love for one another in full illustration.
Caela came out of it quickly, although she was "gone" long enough to creat a noisance with blocking the way of the other's entry. She sensed that everyone was a little annoyed and turned right around to face everyone, Hank was directly in front of her. She had to crane her neck straight up, it seemed, just to look at him. "Lets go see a movie." She noticed that no one was going to go for it. But she knew that Buffy and Angel's cover would be completly blown if she let them all in the house. "Please. I still have not taken a tour of the town. Besides, Mr. Summers is only visiting for a few days time, and we mus' ent neglect his presense by keeping him cooped up in the house the whole time." Caela took it a step further. She didn't wait for an answer and simply began to push everyone back out of the doorway to the porch, shutting the door ever so lightly so not to disturb the couple up stairs. "Come." She shoved everyone into the available cars. She rode with Hank Summers, figuring she could get a little bit more information of Buffy's background. What she got was a little too much information.
"Buffy has always been stuburn, but nothing like this. She doesn't tell me anything, nothing at all." He seemed to misunderstand that this wasn't someone who has known Buffy for years, but for just a few days. "She ran away once." He took a deep breath in his thoughts as he made a turn into the parking lot of the theatre. "Scared the Hell out of us all. She'd never done anything like that before. A total shock." He parked the car, collecting himself before he opened the door. "I'm sorry. You really didn't need to hear all of that. I'm just a little overwhelmed with all thats going on." He turned to face her once he had unbuckled himself. "Are you a good friend of Buffy's?"
Caela had to think about this. She knew that she was a friend of Buffy's and in the long run would become someone who would be trusted with Buffy's life. But that was all in the future. And concidering the past...The past and future were completly different issues from the present. Taking a deep breath, "Aye, I am." Hank gave her a crooked look with a cocked head.
"You're Irish...That would explain everything. Buffy told me that you were a foreigner, but she didn't say where. Just that you were born in the same city as Angel."
"Galway." She nodded as she filled in his blanks.
"Right..." He looked at her with amazement. "So, what can you tell me about Angel?" Caela was just about to answer the door when someone knocked on the Hank's side window.
"Hey, you guys comin'?" Pike and the others were all crowded by the door, waiting.
Caela took this as a lucky chance to a way out of answering his question of what once was her brother in an other life, someone who will fight in the End Battle against this evil demon, Buffy's "boyfriend" and lover, and a vampire. She knew there was plently to tell Hank Summers about the obvious mystery man in Buffy's life. Its just that it would Buffy's decision and act to tell her father, not a new commer and stranger. It just wasn't her place. Nor was it comfortable.They all made their way to the Ticket Box.
"Okay, what movie should we see?" Hank asked the group, more importantly, Caela.
She looked at the options, contemplation each and everyone one. "What is Fan.. .ta...siiia 2000?" Trying her best to sound out the unfamiliar word.
Cordelia seemed to be the only one willing to answer that question. "Oh, its an annimated Disney feature. It has seven different stories told with orchestrated music." She didn't seem too happy to oblige in the response, but she did give the answer willingly.
"Oh." She looked behind her to Pike. "Would I enjoy that?" Pike knew what she liked and didn't like, concidering the fact that Caela had never really lived in a city of which movies were popular, let alone up to date.
Pike contemplated whether or not she would fancy the feature, he scrunched up his brow as he studied the movie's poster. Shaking his head, "Uh euh." She returned to looking at her options.
"Well, what about...Boys and Girls? That looks appealing, does it not?" She looked to him once again. Everyone watched as his thoughts reeled in his head.
His lips persed as he nodded his head, "Emmhmm." Caela smiled up at him and looked to everyoneelse.
"Is that alright with everyone else?" She peered into everyone's eyes. They all nodded in response. "Great. Lets see tha' one." She concluded.
********
Angel and Buffy weren't too sure what exactly had happened that night, of what had come over the two. But they knew that one thing was sure. For the first time in a long time, even though they had already consummated the beginning of a new relationship, that what they were doing was right, and they were very much content. Angel had Buffy in his arms as she laid most of her body on his, her head sleeping softly on his chest. Her legs were comfortable where they rested entwined with his. Although they were asleep, he subconsciously stroked her arm and lightly brushed her hair with his fingers. Her soft, beautiful, straight hair. He was hers, and nothing in the world could separate them now. Not even the Powers That Be, they were meant to be-.
"Buffy." Angel whispered her name with a strike of worry in his voice as his head and memory had recalled a certain item of importance.
She began to stir while still on his chest. He knew she could hear her now.
"What about Riley?" Angel had remembered her saying that she would do it the day her father came into town. Only that never happened since her father had arrived before his expected arrival. Buffy couldn't comprehend very much of anything that day. Only that her father was there for a special and tragic reason. Her mother had died. Buffy had forgotten to break up with Riley entirely.
"Oh gods." Buffy mumbled as she lightly stretched over his body and rubbed at the sleep in her eyes.
"We have to tell him, Buffy. It's only fair..." Angel wanted to continue but began to see that Buffy obviously already knew that.
"I know. I...forgot." She took that pause to think about that day. A horrible reminder of everything that happened. A wake up call to what really had happened. She wasn't entirely ready to except it until her father came into town for a cause.
Angel sweetly rubbed her back with the palm of his hand as she kept on her side. Buffy didn't want to stay in the mourning. She didn't like to feel depressed, no one does. She wanted to accept it and let it go. She knew that if she didn't start now, she would never really move on with her life. And Angel understood that full heartedly. He didn't like watching her go through pain of which he could do nothing about. Or pain in any way for that matter. Because whatever went on with her, or in her, went on with Angel. He was a part of her, as was Angel to Buffy. Soulmates.
He let her lay there for a few minutes while, he knew, she thought things over between herself.
Should I do it straight out? Gods, what if he cries. What about Angel? Riley isn't violent that way, he wouldn't go after him...Right? Oh no. I'm doomed. Breaking up with someone really sucks. Her eyes gazed up at Angel. He was a piece of artwork to Buffy. Something that she wasn't permitted to touch for so long. Until now. And now, they could be together rather than apart. But look at him...He's mine. And that's what I want. That's what I've wanted for so long. And this is what I'm going to have. She looked away from him in bewilderment. He already is mine. She smiled.
**********
Caela couldn't hold her off any longer. She had been stalling for hours now. The movie included. Now it was Pike, Wesley, Cordelia and Hank who had other plans. They were beat. They had attended the late movie, 9:45PM. Cordelia had fallen asleep a few times without noticing it, on Wesley's shoulder. She didn't mean to, the movie really was interesting, but she seemed to have trouble keeping her eyes open. Hank, on the other hand, had a special talent, after all, he was a busy worker, for being about to stay awake for hours past his "bed time." Caela couldn't do it any longer. She didn't really have any trouble with Cordelia or Pike knowing, well unless to save Pike from the knowledge of his ex's where abouts and with whom....as well as their actions....But she just had to keep Hank out. For as long as possible. She knew as well as the couple, possibly more, that they didn't have a definition for what they were doing or sharing between them. Buffy was still technically with Riley. This would be too overwhelming for Buffy. If her father discovered what they were doing upstairs in her bedroom Hank would flip, and ask hundreds of questions of which Buffy wouldn't be able to answer. This would only add to Buffy's "Trouble List."
Perhaps if I faint? That would keep everyone busy...No, that would also get Angel and Buffy's attention and interrupt them. I want to keep them from interference not create the interference. Hmmm.....Shit! What is there to do? Her eyes grew wide as the answer came up in her mind as they approached the stoop on Buffy's house. Hank was given keys to the house earlier, and was now unlocking the front door. Oh no. That would....But its the only thing to do. Caela shut her eyes and tried desperately to relax so she was able to concentrate. Concentrate on Angel's mind. Concentrate on Angel's thought. Concentrate on communicating with him without a telephone. Without being in the room. Without speaking. But by talking to him telepathically.
**********
*Angel?*
Angel was consumed with the feel of Buffy's body. Her lips, her hair tangled in his hands. Angel didn't notice the intervention in his mind.
*Angel! Listen to me. Please.*
Angel pulled his head from Buffy's neck, where he was gently suckling on the soft skin. Thinking nothing of it, he returned to his business of Buffy's body.
*Angel, ti heit tue. Achem. Tue unve swuba. Swuba. Tek eul. Tek eul.*
Angel was struggling to understand the language as well as find out who was speaking to him at the same time. A worried Buffy was brushing his hair with her fingers, trying to see if he was okay. But he was too busy running a crash course of Gaelic in his head. Finally, he got it. He understood. He rolled out of the bed, bare and torn from his soulmate, and pulled on his pants and hurried outside of the room and into the bathroom. Buffy was in a bit of a shock. She had all of a sudden felt that it was something that she did. Something that scared him off that was caused by her. Was he scared? Or did he just not want me? Then she heard the door open down stairs with a burst of laughter. She had never heard this person's laughter. It was new. Then, as the person calmed down, "I can't believe that movie, wasn't it funny?" Caela made her voice very well heard with the next statement. "HANK, do you want some tea?" She tried to peek about the stairs, seeing if she could spot Angel or Buffy. Hopefully, Angel. Buffy could be in her bed, that was natural, but Angel in the bed of a father's "little girl" was just a wee bit over doing it for Hank.
Hank gave her a disgusted look and then remembered that this was a hyper and yet VERY polite girl. "Uhh...no...no thank you, Caela. I'd rather just...go to sleep now. Thank you though." He received a "you're welcome" nod and started up the stairs.
Buffy knew exactly what Caela was up to and trying to do for her and Angel. She immediately calmed down and began to don on her usual and comfortable sweats and a tee shirt. She calmly made it down the stairs and heard Angel exit the bathroom. Angel had played it off so that it seemed that Buffy was relaxing and Angel was just getting ready for bed.
How will we tell him? There's no way that this will come easy. Not that it would be hard to tell him that I was seeing someone else OTHER than my boyfriend and "obviously" sleeping with him? He will think that I'm a slut. Wait. He doesn't have to be in my business. I will act the way I want to act with Angel. Dad has no say in what I do in my life. Angel and I are for ONCE together and he can't stop us from wanting to be...."close."
Buffy waited near the couch for Angel to arrive. After a few seconds of hesitation to sit down he finally arrived and gave Buffy a weird look as he sat down. Once he was situated Buffy laid down with her head on Angel's lap and curled into a fetal position. Angel was a bit astonished with this new movement in front of her father and hesitantly put his hand on her side and lightly rubbed her skin through her shirt as the other combed through her hair affectionately. It was already brushed, but the resistance was too difficult. Her hair was just too....soft to not touch it.
******
Buffy was happy in a way. Well, at least a little less stressed with the whole Angel and her relationship thing when it came to Hank. She no longer had to hide whatever it was that she and Angel were sharing from her father. But she still had to deal with one more person, in order to completly focus on the task at hand, to reclaim people's rightful destinies.
Riley was scheduled to go out with Buffy. To the park. Nothing big, nothing that needed something paid for. A nice place to have a meaningful conversation at. A perfect place to break up with your boyfriend at...Buffy was nervous as hell. She figited with her hands and the sleves of the blouse she was wearing since the hem just barely extended to the start of her thumbs. Her hair was in a tight pony tail. Hoping to squeeze in some patrol time after their expected long argument was finished. She knew for a fact that Riley wasn't going to take this well. Riley was in love with her. But she didn't reflect that same amount of love for him. If Angel was out of the picture, yes, she would certainly be with Riley. Not concerning other circumstances. But Angel was there. Angel did hold more deed to her heart than Riley. And she and Angel were meant for eachother.
She found a perfect place to sit and "chat, on a bench near a moseleum. The moon was full and showned all over the green grass, even through the trees, which bounced off of the concrete arts and statues which created a lovely tone to the picturesque place she was in.
Riley was right on time and couldn't help but rush to her and hold her. He had had missed her mother's funeral due to "work," which Buffy didn't really mind, since Angel was there. He felt so sorry and guilty that he had missed something so important to her. He wasn't there to suport her and assure her like he should have as the duty of a respectful boyfriend. Plus, he had not seen her in for a few days straight. He was aching inside himself from not seeing her and not being with her.
Finally, letting go, "How are you?" He asked her, looking her over. Annalizing her features and stance.
"I'm doing ok." She gave a hard nod to add to her response. "I've been better, but I'm dealing." She stepped back from him a little. Giving her space to think. And to, hopefully, give him a better opening idea of what she was there to do.
"Whats up? You sounded pretty weary on the telephone." He peered into her eyes which were cast down at missing patch of grass. "Buffy?"
"Hmm?" She realised what she was missing...."Oh, umm..." She looked at him, gulping the fear and bitting it in the ass. "Riley, we need to talk. And its pretty serious....And...." He looked at her with a little terror in his eyes, waiting for the rest of that sentence. At once it came, "painful." She gave him a "I'm sorry, but I have to do this" kind of look.
"Just tell me what it is Buffy. I can handle it." Buffy knew that that part was a lie. She knew that this would hit him like a rock. On the head non the less.
"Well..." She looked away from him and just starred out at nothing. "Gods, there's no easy way to do this so I'm just going to say it." She rambled rather quickly and snapped her head back up to him. "Riley. Riley, I can't, we, can't be together anymore. I love-I love someone else."
Buffy was right. Riley couldn't handle this one. His eyes gave her the most hurtful stare that she had ever recieved. "I don't understand. I thought...But...I thought that you loved me...I thought-" His mind had stopped on a particular thought. "Angel. Its him isn't it? Isn't it!? You've been doing things behind my back, haven't you? You were going to string me along like some idiot until I got a clue, huh?" His eyes were briming with tears, but he was reluctant to their escape.
He was scaring her with his tone of voice and accusations. Yes, she had been doing things that a girlfriend should not have done. But they weren't entirely something that she had sat down and thought about. They were on impulse. They were based on love. True love. Souls' love. She wasn't going out on dates with Riley as she was sleeping with Angel. She would never do that. She had promised herself and to Riley, well, in her head at least, that she would tell him the next time he saw her. But it was only until now, when she had already slept with her significant other twice and kissed him in more ways than once repeatedly, that she was able to see Riley. And to tell him straight out. "Thats not how it happened. Not really. Not how you are thinking it did...I wouldn't do that. Not on purpose." Buffy was trying to defend herself as well as trying to make him feel better.
"Sure. Just like you don't purposely put people in danger?" He knew it was a low blow, but since he had already started the battle, he thought that he might as well go ahead and fisish it. "You say that all the people around you are "doomed" to die or get hurt when they are around you. If you knew this for a fact then you wouldn't be here. You wouldn't let your friends fight with you or for you. You wouldn't put them in constant danger. Its-"
"Stop!" Buffy put her hands up in surrender. "Stop...Please....I don't need this. Please..." She was upset, not only mad at him, but mad at herself for thinking that he might be right. She knew that it wasn't her fault that people close to her got hurt due to the things that went on in her dangerous life, but she still had that rotting feeling that made her heart sink each time she thought about it.
Riley didn't take it back. He just let it go. He knew that it was an aweful thing to say, even with the defense of being dumped, he knew that what he had said hit home. A bullseye in fact.
He watched as Buffy took a deep breath, thinking of what to say or do next. Basically, she had said all that she needed to say, apparently, where they stood, it was Riley's call on whether or not to take the conversation further in explinations or debates. Buffy knew her side of opinion. She couldn't give Riley a second chance, there was no chance that it would be fairly given. If Angel was in the picture of her life, she would never be able to completly focus on Riley. If they were to go dancing, Buffy's mind would be elsewhere rather than on Riley's "buldging mucles." Perhaps, even, on someone else's "'buldging muscles.'"
A long drawn out pause between them as each thought things through. Buffy; discussing with herself the answers and possibilities to Riley's expected questions. Riley; thinking over what to say next. Should he let it be at that, not expecting her to give him a second chance, or to give it the benifit of the doubt and to ask for one? He knew exactly what the answers would be. Buffy's mind was usually a settle and rational worker. In her own ways that is. She wouldn't have came clean like that, in a sense, and broken up with him declairing her love for someone else if she didn't feel that what she was doing what what she wanted. Still, Riley had a feeling that she was letting her emotions of her mother's death get to her. Crowding her judgement, disabling her to focus on who she could really trust. Me, she can trust me. But, then again, she wouldn't be doing this to him for someone else if she didn't feel that she could trust them too.
It was settled, in a rather reluctant way, in Riley's mind that he was not going to push or frighten Buffy away with lame and not well thought out actions and to just give her what he can at the moment. Friendship. A hard friendship it would be between the two, but better than nothing in Riley's opinion.
"Ok...I get it." He ran his hands through his hair. "I don't like it. But I get it."
"Thank you." Buffy's tension seemed to ease. A little.
"Friends?" He gave her a peering look.
Running the thought in her head she finally smiled the best smile she could muster and said, "Friends." And with a quick nod she stood on her tippy toes and gave him a polite and friendly hug.
Buffy walked home by herself after a long patroll. There wasn't anything hard about the patroll except for the begining conversation with her now and current Ex boyfriend. But Buffy was feeling a littel "under the weather," you might say. Our bodies seem to be dramatically connected to the moon's atmosphere and its chorse and changes. Especially that of our hormones and a woman's bodyily functions. Simply put, Buffy was on her period, And for some reason, possbily from all the stress of her resent loss, she was in much more pain than usual and was having a much heavier flow than usual as well. But, and thank the gods for this, she wasn't experiencing the typical period side effect of being bitchy as usual. Buffy didn't like the idea of being so thrown off balance by her menstrural cycle that she would have erges to snap and yell at people for the tiniest things. She kinda felt sorry for all the other girls in her family of whom would lash out do to this nasty side effect at their own family members and kids and scare them almost.
But this time, Buffy was in pain. So much pain from, cramps and a wicked headache that she was stumbling home. Her hands were wrapped tightly around her stomach, hoping to absorb some of the twishing, nausiating cramps. Buffy took deep breaths to keep her dinner in, closing her eyes as she walked in attempt to ease the throbing in her ears and head.
Stepping onto the porch she realized she didn't want to take any chances. She didn't want to have to explain to anyone...Even if they didn't ask her how her break up with Riley went she still didn't feel like talking. Even the usual small talk before people go to bed sounded appauling. She turned on her heals and climbed the tree to her open bed room window.
Plucking some loose boxers and the gag gift her cousin gave her, a "Playboy" tee shirt and some clean langerie she made her way to the restroom for a shower. The hot water seemed to relax her stomach muscles. With the lights off, she was hoping that the tension in her head would release itself so that she could actually get some sleep later on.
Buffy was now leaning against the tiled wall of the bath as she let the water beam down on her head, some what massaging her skin. She was too occupied to realize that someone had entered the small, extremly private room. They locked the door behind them and striped just to their boxers. Taking the glass from the sink he filled it up with cool water and opened the medicine cabinet, retracting the Tylenol. With two capsuals in his hand and the glass of water in the other he slowly opened the shower curtain, keeping his eyes on her face only. Her eyes were losely closed. As if she wasn't able to keep them open and yet not tired enough to close them. She saw him enter her space bubble. But didn't recognize anything out of the ordinary. Yes, she was naked, and vulnerable to his touch and vision but she didn't seem to mind, nor would she have the strength to fend him off. She seemed to not give a rat's ass.
"Buffy, take these." He cupped his hand so that the pills gently entered her mouth onto her tongue. Slowly pouring the cool water down her throat for her she swallowed the medicine. Angel turned her around so that her back was against his chest and his hands were lightly pressing against her tight belly. He softly rubbed her abdomen where she was most in pain. Willing her pain gone. She was completly relaxed now. If only the pain would go away she would have been able to fall asleep right there and then in his arms.
Holding her, made Angel feel that he could help in with something even as uncontrollable as her period. Most guys would have just let her take care of it. Feeling a littel grossed out with the whole ordeal. But Angel found it completly normal and painful at the moment for his lover.
"How did you know?" Buffy knew that he was very good at reading her body language. But he didn't even see her when she had returned home. How could he have known about the pain she was in and the cause of that pain?
"Its kind of hard to explain, and I'm not sure you want me to explain it." He moved his hands from her stomach to her temples and began to massage her headache away.
"Yes, I do." She held on to his forearms to keep her posture. Standing up.
"I can smell you. The blood...When you're....." He didn't know any other way to put it. And she wanted to hear it...."in heat."
She didn't say anything.
"See, I told you. I'm sorry." He practically ripped himself from her, in fear that she was thinking that he was a sicko of some sort after hearing what he had just told her. Buffy whimpered at the relocation of her comfort zone, Angel. And winced from the pain in her head and body from the sudden movement. She kept as much of a firm hold as she could muster at the moment on his arms as he tried to clear back from her.
"Angel-" She cringed as she took a deep breath and relaxed her stomach muscles. "Angel...I don't. I understand. I-" She began to pull the reluctant man back to her. "I just want you to continue what you were doing." She replaces his hands on her body. One on her side the other craddling her head.
********
It has been a few weeks since the funeral. Buffy's father had decided to stay in town. Not only for the thoughts of his daughter's own well being, being near family that is, but for his own mourning process. He didn't have too any family members in LA, he wanted to keep a close eye on his daughter.
Buffy had no problem with this. Only that Angel and her didn't have as much privacy as they would have liked to have. Caela kept to herself as well as Pike. The house was full as it is and yet it was busting at the seams with people with Hank sleeping there. He had promised that he would return that Saturday. Which was all good in Buffy and Angel's book. But now they still had a lot of other things to think about. Caela, for instance couldn't be with just Angle or just Buffy. Pike was given specific orders to make sure that he leaves her with the two of them. Together. The idea of protection was worthless with them working seperatly, it had to be a team work kind of thing.
Cordelia stayed out of the house for most of the time she spent there, she would go visiting some old friends who stayed in Sunnydale. But Wesley was a whole nother story. He seemed to want to inquiry Caela about her life, her backgrourd, her "gifts" as a Chosen One of the Chosen as well as a hand picked begin of the Powers That Be to possess the ability to read things that were beyond other's reach in comprehension. They had just discovered that she can also speak to people by telecanisis. And with this wonderful new finding Wesley felt that it was his "duty to dig deeper in this whole situation and to get the bottom of this." He felt so sure of himself each time he learned something different in the books that he borrowed from Giles' private library. But each time he took it up with Caela he would feel a little sheepish with her responses sounding a little like this, "That 'tis right. I know 'bout 'dat. Did you find anything else, Wesley?" She would always peer at him with great thought and appreciation, although he knew that she wasn't quite grasping the thought that she already knew the things that he was gathering and yet not telling him. She was unknowingly leading them into circles while she held the answers. Finally, Wesley gave up. He decided to simply just talk to her more about it. She figured that if she wasn't coming straight forward with the information, not on purpose that is, than it was his "duty to get it out of her a different way." Of course, the usual responses from these declarations were smirks and snorts of people holding in their laughter.
Angel wasn't sure who to spend the most time with. Caela or Buffy. Buffy because of infactuation of the heart and his passionate love for the woman and Caela for the interest that he had in her and her backstory. She knew things and held things in the palm of her hands, this he knew, that Angel has, for years, wanted to learn about and ask someone who had the answers to them. Angel would play it cool. Just simple questions on what types of things she could grasp the facts on, how far her "gift" could reach out and just how powerful. He wouldn't exceed more than a few questions each day, perhaps one or two. Nothing more. But Caela knew what he was doing, what he was dodging, and what he wanted from her. His past. Even though Angel could remember the things that he had done before and during his vampire years he still had a gut feeling that she was a major connection, perhaps larger than that of the Oracles were, to the Powers That Be. She was a "direct contact" with them. Angel just, well, he just didn't know where to begin with the list of questions he was running in his head. There was so much to ask her, that he knew, he just couldn't put any of them in words. Angel had quite the delema.
"Caela?" Angel called from the kitchen as he started to scramble the cooking eggs on the stove.
"Hm?" Her head peeked around the corner of the wall that broke the living room to the kitchen.
"Are you..." Hesitation. He hated hesitation. It made him sound so small and dumb. "Are you busy later this afternoon?" He looked up to her from the pan of eggs as he unconscienciously moved the spatchula around to keep them from burning.
"Ah, well... Wasn't Buffy going to take me to The Bronze tonight?" Angel and the gang had gotten used to her Irish statments and answers with a question on its own. It was "normal" Irish-English talk.
Answer a question with another question. Of course. It makes perfect sence. A ngel had thought. Yeah right. Silently rolling his eyes he moved back to his cooking.
Caela caught the look of disappointment on his features before he turned away to his task. Contemplating what was reeling in his head. "Aye, I t'was invited to go the De Bronze...But, would ya like to come 'long with us? It be mighty fun!" Then, thinking to herself she mumbles so that he too can hear. "Or so I am told."
Angel grinned at this.
"Come with us, Angel. Save me from dis unusual music that these people listen to. I just know that yerself isn't as fond of it as these people are." She made fun with him as well as of him at the same time as she completly entered the room and leaned her back against the counter so that she and Angel could talk formally. Well, sort of.
"No, you are right. I do not," he made fun of her use of complete correct grammar according to the English language, "like the music that Buffy and her friends listen to. At least not all of it. Some of the musicians and songs have their beauties."
She took a deep "Irish sigh" as she released, "Well..." She looked away from him and into her thoughts. Then she finished her thoughts aloud. "If that tis true than someone ought to teach me how to dance to American music. Because Goddess knows dat I do not know how to. Sure, wouldn't I trip over me own feet if I tried." She saw Angel smile at her "joke." Knowing that she was DEAD serious. She was proud to have made him laugh.
Buffy had over heard a UNfamiliar laugh and followed it to the kitchen. Upon seeing Angel smiling as he recovered from his small fit of laughter she noticed that Caela was absolutly beaming with the thought of conquering the impossible. She had gotten the poor lad to laugh.
"Buffy!" Caela had squealed in recognition of Buffy's presense and happy to see it at that. "Won't you come in here and tell de man 'ere that he must come with us tonight and teach me how to dance. If not, I'd be promised to fall on me face and make a fool of meself with the other boys." She looked at Buffy as she gestured to Angel.
"Angel, is she telling me the truth?" She stepped further into the kitchen. "That you would be willing to allow Caela, your resposibility may I remind you, to embarass herself by something that she has no control over and yet you do?" She wasn't sure if what she was asking made sense. She was trying desperatly to make sense as an Irish woman, speaking with other Irish people. She had a feeling inside her that just screamed that she sucked awefully at being Irish.
Angel thought this over in his head as he served up the plates that were laid out for everybody on the table with the eggs. "Alright. I'll go." He snapped his head up to catch both girls' eyes. "On one condition!" He got their full attention.
"Och, sure, why not, what 'tis it then?" Caela leaned on her elbows as she eased forward on the counter, almost too eager to hear what he was going to say. She was obviously excited about the night's plans.
"That you don't dance like Buffy with the guys until you get older." He glared at her. Caela thought that at first he was playing with her and Buffy. Then she realized the serious look that showned through his eyes as they stung her's in return. Then she turned to Buffy who gave a shy shrug with crimson cheeks.
"I can not promise ya dat when I don't even know how she dances. I have never seen the girl dance before, Angel. And if I be not permitted to dance as she does, then of whom do I mimic?" She inquiried, looking back and forth from Angel to Buffy.
Angel thought about this. The teen did have a point. He ran the names of other girls that she could pick up dance moves from; Cordelia. And Willow. One of whom didn't dance at all. And the other...Well lets just say he didn't want her to pick anything up from her. Not to mention the lack of compassion.
"We'll discuss it." He returned to setting the table with glasses or orange juice.
Caela pulled her head back up from her leaning position and gave him a scrunched nosed look. "Careful, Angel. You sound as if you were me bro. Wouldn't that be something altogether. Not only is a human an ex-vampire but a big brother. Dating a Slayer non the less." She was lucky. Hank had been outside with Pike in the garage. She was safe. But Angel's head shot straight up at her comment and looked to Buffy for some sort of back up or explination as Caela left the room.
Caela wasn't used to having people look after her in the sense of just looking out for her. Not protecting her life. It was her image as a person that Angel was protecting. Something entirly new in both her part and, she knew, Angel's part. Things were twisting and turning in her life that she wasn't sure she could get used to. Everything woul take a lot of time to adjust, she just didn't know if she had all the much time in order to confide in them with her secrets. And the same in their place with her. She just hoped it wasn't in the distant future, but the near.
*****
Buffy, living up to the stereotype of taking too long to get ready being a girl, was doing just that while Angel waited for the two girls to finish up. They were all meeting one another that night at The Bronze; Cordelia, Willow, Xander and Anya. Pike had decided to go and check some things out at the cemetary. Taking the stand as "substitute" slayer for the evening. He really didn't seem all that interested to go to a club. Not his kind of thing.
Angel flipped through a few pages of a TEEN magazine that had been left behind from one of Caela's little shopping spree's with Buffy and Cordelia on the couch. The page that had appeared when he opened it was titled, "IS HE THE ONE FOR YOU?" It was folded thoughtfully at the corner, marking the reader's spot. Angel studied the begining of the questions and answers. Who ever had filled it out hadn't finished it yet, only 5 of the 20 questions were marked up with highlighter.
1.) You make plans to go out and he ends up having to work, does he...
a) Call you and take a raincheck say- ing he is sorry.
b) Hope in his mind that you will under- stand when he talks to you about it tom- orrow.
c) Doesn't call at all hoping that you will read his mind and know what is happening.
Angel smiled at this, assuming that it was Buffy answering the quiz. He and Buffy always had date interruptions and crashes. There possibly wasn't a date that fully went through normally. Not even on the quietest of all nights for a slayer and a vampire.
Angel was interrupted by his "reading" by a knock at the door. Nothing harsh yet nothing soft either, just a pure and simple knock on the crafted wood. Angel set the magazine back down on the couch and stood to answer the door. "Hi. Can I help you?" He said as he looked at a muscular teen that was about the age of 16 in jeans and a white tee shirt. His pants contemplated the shape of his legs, as well as the tight shirt. His red tinted blond hair matched his awkwardly tan colored skin. Some freckles were almost sprinkled on his cheeks, just under his eyes and near his nose. If the boy would continue to grow with the few years left to his "growing years" in height he would possibly only reach the same height as Angel himself. But for now he was inferior to Angel's standing position. Angel waited for the boy to speak.
"Hello, Sir. I'm sorry to bother you at home and everything, like this, but uh...Well, you see my friends and I were tossing the football out on the street and this huge gush of wind came and took to ball over your house..." The boy was helping himself out with using his hands to illustrate his story and his dilema. "So, I uh, I was wondering if I could perhaps check in your back yard for the ball-Or you could do it for me it you feel uncomfortable with me coming on your property." Angel saw that the boy was obvious very shy and nervous at the moment, talking to Angel about his problem. Angel smiled at the boy.
"No, no. Thats fine. Come on in, and I'll walk you through the back yard. Please..." Angel stood aside of the door and gestured for the boy to come in. Angel knew from even before he opened the door that the boy was who he appeared to be. Human, that is. He did not smell of something else, except for a touch of beer on his clothing and not on his breath. Angel was a little confused about that. But this gave Angel the assumption that the boy did not drink. Whether he WISHED to drink was an entirly different thing.
The boy stepped in and waited for Angel to shut the door and lead him to the yard. His nervousness was already on the edge but worse when Caela came bouncing down the stairs.
"Angel, have ya seem me magazine?" She payed the boy no attention, she was too focused on putting her silver knot bracelet on. She stopped just infront of Angel, betweent he two men, still keeping her eyes on her
wrist."Uh...on the couch I think. Why? Are you taking it with us?" He looked a little amazed at her, jumping to the conclusion that she WAS bringing a magazine with her to the club.
"Ah, no. Isn't there a wonderfully nice hairstyle that I wish to try out for tonight?" She beemed up at him as she smiled at her conquest of the bracelet fitting nicely on her wrist.
"Oh." Angel sighed and stuck his hands in his pockets. Feeling that he had a while to wait since she was just NOW starting to fix her hair. That was ok, it wasn't even sundown yet, just near that time. Angel was just a hoping that they would get an ice cream cone on their way there. Angel watched as Caela picked up the magazine and started for the stairs. It was until she had passed his vision again heading for Buffy's room. "Wait!" He haulted her. She turned around, looking at him questionably.
"Hm?" She humed her question through a closed mouth.
"What are you wearing?" He pointed to the red leather pants that he so knew so well that belonged to Buffy Summers. She had worn them when he fed off her, in order to cure himself from a poisionus arrow that was shot by Faith, the Slayer that Caela was sent to replace.
"Oh, aren't they purfect, Angel? Buffy let me borrow 'dem for da night." She turned around for him, modeling them off.
"You're not wearing that to wear we are going, are you?" He
prayed."Oh, of course I am!" She thought that he was being silly and started to rush up the stairs once again.
"Caela, wait!" She turned around once again.
"Tue neti elpul tuper tet. Tiper pyil neti elpul upsilep tue wri pis eu." He smiled at her. HE knew that they had company, but he wasn't so sure that she realized it and tried to keep the embarasment of her from the poor boy.
Caela smiled at him and looked at him straight in the eye while she spoke, "Aye, I understand." She desended a few steps to near him a little more. Almost appearing as a threat. "Se Ti yusul Buffy hei uri?" She gave him an evil grin. She recieved no response. Even though Angel had been struggling with her fluent tongue of the language she knew that he got the gist. If not she had no fear in speaking to Buffy about what he was telling her to do. Buffy had gotten on his case about not letting her wear things that the average teenage girl was wearing and to let it go and let her act like a "normal girl." Buffy's favorite statement, "to have a normal life, with a normal boyfriend." Angel gave Caela a "I'm in the shit hole look" and replied. "Touche'" Then he looked relaxed as she smiled. He knew that she was not mad with him and that he was not upset with her. They liked this. Both of them surprizingly. Angel liked the idea that he had an excuse for treating someone that he felt so close to as a younger sister. And Caela like the idea of having a sense of family around her again. Friends were different. Over protetion was different as well. But Buffy did seem to have a last say in things since Buffy was the only other person who knew what Caela was going against, and that doesn't entirely mean vampires and the Hellmouth. It meant not being normal, and trying to live life to the fullest while you can.
The boy still stood at the side watching their little tiff pass by in a very odd language of which he had never heard before. He felt as if he were stuck in the Twilight Zone of Ireland, giving from Caela's accent, and Growing Pains. Angel looked to him and the boy smiled, helping the man before remember why he was in his house.
"Come, I'll show you to the yard."
He followed Angel to the yard. Trying to make conversation so as to feel more comfortable with one another while they searched the oversized and well in need of a mow yard. "So...Was that your sister?"
"Hm?" Angel was concentrating.
"I have two of them myself." He peering behind a bush.
"Oh. No. She's not my sister. Not really anways. She's just close that way. No parents. Moved from Ireland and we're incharge of her"
"Oh." He was digging for information. He seemed to be interested with the girl in the house who had not even noticed his presense. "So, hey, what language was that in there anyway? Because I have never heard anything like THAT before. It seemed to be more poetic and rythmatic than any other language I've heard." He stopped from searching and crossed his arms as Angel did the same and attempted to engage a polite conversation.
"Gaelic." Angel took a deep breath. "Listen, uh... I'm sorry whats your name? I don't think you told me."
"Orin." He offered his hand to Angel.
"Angel, nice to meet you." He took his hand and shook it.
"Nice to meet you too." They released hands.
"Look, I don't mean to be rude but I am kind of in a hurry once the girls get ready we're going to The Bronze." Angel was just now realizing that the sun had finally gone down and the sky was diming rapidly of it's light.
"Oh. No problem. Hey, you know what, I can live without the ball for now, how about I come back tomorrow sometime and look again then?" He started to follow Angel back into the house, giving up for the night.< /p>
"Sure, that would be fine. Someone should be here, not sure who, but the house is never empty..." Angel mumbled, "trust me."
"Great. Then I thank you and I will be back tomorrow. Goodnight." Angel opened the door and let Orin out.
******
Caela, Angel and Buffy all made it on time, without the visit to te ice cream shop mind unfortunatly, to meet with everyone else. They all sat in the corner on a couch and two comfy old chairs. Buffy, Angel, Xander and Anya sat down on the couch while Caela and Willow took to the chairs. Caela seemed a bit overwhelmed but beamed with the sight of all the people about the same age group enjoying themselves in ways that she could relate to. Dancing. But the moves were frightening to think about. She had never seen such dance steps in her life. Just as Angel and Buffy were relaxing within one another's arms Caela began to seek for lessons from Angel.
"Angel, won't you live up to your promise and dance with me?" She gave him a smile that absolutly begged to be payed attention to. She was such a doll and Angel could not resist. He nodded and smiled to Buffy as he slipped out of her arms and stood, putting his hand out to Caela.
"Dance with me?" Caela smiled at the formality.
"Of course." She bowed her head as if she were a a noble woman and he a prince at a ball.
"Come on Princess." He mocked her and she laughed.
The song started without them, but that was fine with them, Angel still hadn't taught her the basics.
//Come stop your crying
It will be allright
Just take my hand, hold it tight.//
"Here," He took her right hand, "put your hand on my shoulder, where its comfortable. If I'm too tall feel free to hould on to my arm. Make yourself comfortable. Its no fun if you're not." He wanted her to know that dancing was not something that was a "must" There were rules of dancing as well. How far one should go, limits and boundries, substituted with the word of being comfortable.
She nodded with a "gotcha" smile.
He took her other hand in his, holding it as if she were glass and afraid to even put his fingerprints on it. Her skin was pale, yes, but only a shade lighter than his. Her hair was pinned back to a bunched pony tail and fell back lightly brushing her neck. Teasing the exposed skin. If Angel didn't look like her brother there would have been a lot of disoppointed boys that night at The Bronze. He started to move, she hesitantly followed him, looking at her feet every few seconds. "No, no." He moved their hands to her chind and used his fingers to move her chin up to face him. "If you want to keep a guy's attention, keep your eyes on him." He gave her a "goofy and yet very serious smile.
She smiled, with a touch of crimson to her cheeks as she was slightly embarased with his comment. Afterall, that was why people danced with a girl that was not related to her. She began to get the idea and the feel of the steps and mixed her body's motions with the song's rythem. Some she no longer looked like she was taking lessons anymore. She looked to be dancing, completly. Angel smiled at the fact that she learned so quickly, that way she didn't have to be worried about not knowing how and feeling embarased about it. They continued to dance through the rest of the song.
//I will protect you from all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry.
For one so small
you seem so strong.
My arms will hold you
keep you safe and warm
This bond between us can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry
'Cause you'll be in my heart.
Yes, you'll be in my heart.
From this day on
Now and forever more.
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be in my heart, always.
Why can't they understand the way we feel
They just don't trust
What they can't explain
I know we're different but,
deep inside us
We're not that different at all.
And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
Don't listen to them
'Cause what do they know
We need each other
to have, to hold
They'll see in time
I know
When destiny calls you
You must be strong
I may not be with you
But you've got to hold on
They'll see in time
I know
We'll show them together
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
Oh, you'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always.
Always.....I'll be with you.
I'll be there for you always.
Just look over your shoulder.
Always and Always....For you.//
As the song ended the DJ put on a small beat that contained no words. It was assumed that he was giving everyone a few moments break. Angel and Caela seperated and then came the question that took Angel by surprise and added some well touched paint colors of red to his cheeks and ears.
"So, when ya going ta teach me de 'Mating Dance' as ya call it dat Buffy expressed wit' Xander at an attempt to make ya jealous?" She smiled at him. Although she was trying to make Angel laugh at the rememberance of that particular night that Buffy had really ticked him off she was in all serious mode. When they arrived she had seen how the other couples were dancing with one another. Rather primitivly, too. But she thought nothing of it when she asked Angel, a some what brotherly figure to her.
Angel hesitated with a little bit of astonishment hanging in his head. "I', uh, I-I can't teach you that." They started to walk back to the group. Angel took his seat back with Buffy as Caela continued to stand and protest that her lessons were cut short.
"Not fair! You promised me dat you would teach me how to dance." She noticed how she used 'you' instead of 'ya.' She beamed for a slit second and then returned to her huffing and puffing at Angel.
"Not that. Have another guy teach you those moves." Angel was trying very hard to keep his laughter in.
"Buffy, Angel refuses to teach me the dancing that yourself did with Xander. 'Tis not fair." She crossed her arms and stared down at the two of them. She knew that she must sound like a brat of some sort but this was something that she wanted to make sure Angel would keep to his word with. If he didn't keep it to something so simple as this then she quite possibly couldn't ask him to keep her identity and whereabouts safe in the heat of a battle. She was testing him. She knew, but he did not. It was not a fair game that she was playing either, but something told her that it was better to be played this way than rather him knowing and giving away the answers.
//Yeah yeah yeah
yeah yeah yeah
yeah yeah yeah//
Buffy held her lips between her teeth to keep from laughing at the mention of that particular dance style. She knew exactly why Angel refused to teach her that sort of dance, at least with him as the guinie pig. "I see nothing funny about this at all, at all." repeating themselves with this saying was just something that came naturally with the Irish. But everyone knew that it would take a lot of getting used to to not correct her that in America it is only used once in a sentence.
Buffy looked up from her giggles and at Caela. "Its just that...." Everyone around her gave her a funny look, "That...that the sort of dance that I did with Xander was....seductive, and it's not right for Angel to teach you that sort of dance and let alone do it with you." Caela was thinking this over in her mind.
"But how will I learn then, if not Angel as my teacher?" She leaned against her chair, waiting for an answer.
"Well, you could-" Willow was going to give her an option of just asking another guy right out of the room, no thougths, just action, that way she wouldn't waste the time of thinking about what she was doing, until someone interupted her.
"Excuse me, Caela, right?" A familiar boy peeked into the group's area. Angel perked up.
"Hello, Orin, right?" Angel stood up and shook hands with Orin who stood next to Caela.
"Yeah, nice to see you again." The men seperated from their formal greeting.
"Orin?" She even pronounced his name in an accent. A very thick one at that.
"Thats me. My football landed in your guy's yard, I saw you in the house." He was trying to jog her memory, hoping that she would remember
him."Aye...." She nodded her head, she was just trying to seem polite, she really had no idea who he was and was punching herself for it too. From where she stood, which was pretty damn close, he was the pick of the litter kind of guy. He skin was soft to the eye and his hair was evenly cut and she could smell him, it wasn't strong enough to be cologn, she figured it was his deoterant. Whichever it was, attracted her closer.
//I think I did it again
I made you believe we're more than just friends
Oh baby
It might seem like a crush
But it doesn't mean that I'm serious
'Cause to lose all my senses
That is just so typically me
Oh baby, baby
She put her hand out to shake his hand. He accepted it. Gently, and yet with the firmality of knowing that he could take care of himself and that he was no sheltered guy like the rest of the adolesents in Sunnydale that Caela had heard so much about. She gave him her best smile without even realizing it. She wasn't trying but she was getting his attention anyway.
//Oops!...I did it again.
I played with your heart,
got lost in the game
Oh baby, baby
Oops!..you think I'm in love
That I'm sent from above
I'm not that innocent.//
"Hi, nice to meet you." Orin said as he smiled at her in return.
She nodded in resonse.
"Hey, would you like to dance?" The rest of a song was playing and was perfect for what Caela was looking for. She eyed Buffy and smield with a little squeal and nodded to Orin. "Great."
She took her hand lightly. HIs thumb lightly rubbed the back of her hand as he led he to the middle of the dance floor, where he felt most comfortable. He took her immediatly in his arms and gently placed his hands on her waist brought their bodies closer than Caela had ever been to a man that she was attracted to before. She began to get the idea that she was to just move her feet with her hips, her hips with the movement of his and her torso with the beat of the song. With this knowledge she quickly took steps without contemplation of, "Am I doing this right?"
//You see my problem is this
I'm dreaming away
Wishing that heros, they truly exist
I cry, watching the days
Can't you see I'm a foor in so many ways
But to lose all my senses
That is just so typically me
Baby, oh
Oops!...I did it again
I played with your heart, got lost in the game
Oh baby, baby
Oops!...you think I'm in love
That I'm sent from above
I'm not that innocent
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah//
The two stayed on the dance floor and switched their steps to the switch of mood of the next song. Angel and Buffy entered the dance floor and began to sway lightly together to the music next to the new pair. Orin was mezmorized with Caela's souling deep blue eyes. He knew there was a lot more to their story behind them than just that of Ireland.
Angel placed his chin atop Buffy's blonde head as she leaned herself against his chest. Angel's hand was wrapped around her waist possesively as well as lovingly as the other held her hand near his chest. Her eyes were closed while she listened to the words of the song they danced to.
//When the rain is blowin' in your face and the whole world is on your case I would offer you a warm embrace To make you feel my love
When evening shadows and the stars apear
and there is no one to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love
No you haven't made your mind up yet.
But I would never do you wrong
Known it from the moment that we meet
There's no doudt in my mind where you belong
I'd go hungry,
I'd go black and blue,
I'd go crawling down the avenue
There ain't nothing I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love.//
Go to Part 8 ( ) ~ d e S T O P R S A B ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] ] ' ? @ R S T W X F G j k l L M N ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & = > & ' u v Z [ i j S T [ \ ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & i j + , x y b c J K 2 3 ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & e f F G * + q r U V ; < i j ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &j w x y ! ! h! i! ! ! " " " " ," -" ." y" z" " " # # ^# _# # # # # -$ .$ /$ ~$ $ $ $ % ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &% % b% c% % % % % F& G& & & & & .' /' }' ~' ' ' ' ' ' ' ( ( Q( R( ( ( ( ( <) =) ) ) ) ) * ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & * !* g* h* * * * * L+ M+ + + + + #, $, %, t, u, , , - - X- Y- - - - - ?. @. . . . . . / / T/ ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &T/ U/ / / / / >0 ?0 0 0 0 0 0 #1 $1 p1 q1 1 1 1 1 1 G2 H2 2 2 2 2 33 43 3 3 3 3 4 4 m4 n4 4 ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &4 4 4 4 4 {5 |5 5 5 6 6 Z6 [6 6 6 6 6 ?7 @7 7 7 7 7 8 8 Q9 R9 9 9 <: =: : : : : ;; <; ; ; ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &; < < ]< ^< < < < < D= E= = = = = &> '> > > ? ? i? j? ? ? @ @ M@ N@ @ @ @ @ 6A 7A A A A A ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &A B B cB dB B B B B !C "C #C pC qC C C C C D QD RD D D D D 5E 6E E E E E F F hF iF F F F F ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &F F JG KG G G G G /H 0H {H |H H H I I `I aI I I I I BJ CJ J J J J K K K eK fK K K K K EL FL ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &FL L L L L ,M -M uM vM M M M M M #N $N qN rN N N O O LO MO NO O O O O O O O 7P 8P 9P P P P P ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &P P P P =Q >Q JQ KQ LQ Q Q Q Q 9R :R R R R R #S $S _S `S aS S S S S S T T VT WT XT T T T T >U ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &>U ?U eU fU gU U U V V JV KV LV V V V V W W W bW cW W W W W W X X %X &X 'X vX wX Y Y ]Y ^Y Y Y ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &Y Y Y ?Z @Z Z Z Z Z [ [ j[ k[ [ [ [ [ [ \ \ U\ V\ W\ \ \ \ \ \ J] K] ] ] ] ] ,^ -^ :^ ;^ <^ ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &<^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 5_ 6_ 7_ _ _ _ _ ` ` 4` 5` 6` ` ` ` ` a a ha ia a a b b Pb Qb b b b b b ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &b b b b ?c @c c c c c 'd (d sd td d d e e >e ?e Ce De Qe Re Ve We e e e e Df Ef f f f f 'g (g vg ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &vg wg g g h h Sh Th h h h h =i >i i i i i j j Jj Kj Lj j j j j 4k 5k k k k k l l el fl l l ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &l l l Dm Em Im Jm Wm Xm \m ]m sm tm um m m n n n 7n 8n 9n n n n n n n n 3o 4o 5o o o o o p p gp ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &gp hp p p p q Lq Mq q q q q 0r 1r yr zr r r s s _s `s s s s s s t !t mt nt t t t t t #u $u nu ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &nu ou u u v v ?v @v Av v v v v $w %w rw sw w w x x x Nx Ox x x x x 4y 5y y y y y z z z z z ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &z z A{ B{ { { { { { "| #| e| f| | | } } H} I} } } } } ,~ -~ z~ {~ ~ ~ I J K 2 ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &2 3 ` a b K L 1 2 Y Z [ ʂ ˂ ̂ ` a ă Ń ƃ U V W ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &W C D ̅ ͅ ΅ k l v w x Ɔ dž ] ^ 1 2 y z Lj Ȉ _ ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &_ ` * + t u [ \ D E ، h i N O ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & 4 5 ʏ ˏ d e Ր $ % L M N 8 9 Ւ ֒ ! " n o ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &o Փ ֓ ד % & p q M N 7 8 ɖ ʖ f g 6 7 ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & Θ Ϙ ܘ ݘ ޘ - . ; < = z { | H I u v w Ț ɚ ` a C D ߜ ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &ߜ - . v w ĝ ŝ ` a < = ֟ ן a b G H ֡ ס ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &ס ! l m ? @ ֣ ף ! m n V W : ; ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & 5 6 ȧ ɧ c d K L թ ֩ ש # $ r s T U g h i ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & D E F e f g Q R e f A B ܰ ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &ܰ ݰ ( ) t u W X ; < G H I 1 2 z { ɴ ʴ f g ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & G H ݶ * + x y · W X 8 9 6 7 ̺ ͺ i ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &i j T U ; < ν Ͻ l m n վ ־ $ % = > ? ܿ ݿ * + ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &+ 7 8 9 ^ _ U V ) * + | } e ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &e f % & q r - . z { I J K 1 2 g h i ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & O P _ ` F G F G @ A | } ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &} ~ b c c d ] ^ O P Z [ \ ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & = > ' ( D E F ( ) s t V W / 0 ~ c d ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &d e K L , - Q R S y z B C M N O } ~ ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & Z [ b c G H & ' t u c ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &c d H I 0 1 } ~ + , s t \ ] > ? ] ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &] ^ _ = > ? O P ^ _ C D ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & P Q j k 7 8 U V W * + w x y ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & ] ^ B C ! g h Q R 7 8 p q ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &q O P v w x A B v w x - . k l m P Q ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & & ' ( y z ? @ A ( ) * { | Q R ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & d e I J - . | } R S ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & \ ] s t u > ? V W ! " m n E F ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &F G . / y z a b Y Z B C % & c d ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &d e ! I J \ ] r s t D E ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &E F r s # $ B C W X t u v ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & 0 1 J K h i = > Y Z ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & h i @ A B $ % r s D E F / 0 O P Q ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & m n 0 1 e f ; < = S T f g $ % s ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &s t [ \ y z { e f 8 9 : 2 3 4 ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c & J K L 4 5 6 " # n o B C N O m ÿ{wsokg ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c ] c &m n D E , - m n o ! ! :! ;! 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