In the Arms of the Angels

In the Arms of the Angels

DISCLAIMER: I don't own them... HELLO like I would let Riley exist If I did! I would have had him have massive head trauma from the books that fell on his head! lol had to do that.
TIMELINE:Between Sanctuary and the Season Finale
SPOILERS: Everything on both shows to be safe.
DISTRIBUTION: Great, just let me know where.
FEEDBACK: Yes please.
RATING: Same as show.
DEDICATION: Casey, Dani, and all my friends out there

Part One:

Spend all your time waitin'
For that second chance
For a break that would make it ok
There's always some reason
To Feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
Oh beautiful release
And memories seep from my veins
It maybe empty or even weightless
And maybe I'll find some peace tonight

In the arms of the Angels
Fly away from here…

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

In the arms of my Angel, that's where I want to be. Thought Buffy, listening to her Sarah McLachlan CD. "I miss him, more than anything." She said to no one. Then Do What You Have to Do came on. God, this defines us perfectly, she thought. And she wept. Wept for her. For him. She fell asleep, weeping, listening to that song.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

What ravages of spirit conjured this temptous rage
Created you a monster broken by the rules of love?
And fate has led you through it
You do what you have to do
And fate has led you through it
You do what you have to do

And I have the sense to recognize
That I don't know how to let you go
Every moment marked with apparitions of your soul
I'm ever swiftly moving, trying to escape this desire
The yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do
The yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Willow walked into their dorm at that point. She looked at Buffy's tear-stained face lying on the pillow, clutching Mr. Gordo. "Poor Buffy." She whispered under her breath. "Riley just isn't enough." Then she slapped her head. DUH! Of course he isn't enough. God, little Iowa farm boy doesn't compare to Angel. She thought to herself. It is to late, but tomorrow I'll talk to Xand about what to do. She then proceeded to get in her nightgown. Pulled up a quilt over Buffy, and got into her own bed.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Part 2:

"See, Xander, she is just emotionally dead. She needs Angel."

"I know Will, as much as I hate to admit it she needs deadboy. She isn't the same."

"I think I'll call Cordy."

"No! I want to give deadboy a talking to. It'll be fun." He rubbed his hands together

"Fine but don't set him off. I don't want you coming back with a lust for blood."

"Ok, whatever." He wasn't really paying attention. Just thinking how to make deadboy guilty.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*

Buffy was getting dressed for class when Willow came on. Her droopy face vanished and she plastered a smile on her face.

"Hey Will. Where were you?"

"I had breakfast with Xander. I didn't want to wake you up."

"Oh" She said, her mind somewhere else.

"Earth to Buffy, Earth to Buffy." Buffy looked up and Willow gasped at the sadness on her face

"What's wrong Buffy?" She said, already knowing

Buffy didn't even try to deny. "I miss him… Oh God I miss him so much," She said weeping and fell into Willow's arms.

"Shhh, Shhh. Buffy it's ok, everything is gonna be ok."

"No it isn't! God! Riley is great and all and I love him… but not like I love Angel. Not at all. I can't believe what I said last time he was here. I had no right."

"Oh Buffy…" Willow trailed off and just hugged her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Xander sat on the bus to LA. He had called Cordelia about Buffy. Told her he was coming. Told her not to tell Angel. He was gonna give deadboy a beating with words for what he did to Buffy.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Winter here's cold, and bitter
and chills us to the bone.
We haven't seen the sun for weeks
To long, to far from home
I feel just like I'm sinking
And I claw for a solid ground
Pulled down by the undertow
I never thought I could feel so alone
And in all the darkness I feel like letting go

If all of the strength and all of the courage
Come and lift me from this place
I know I can love you much better than this
It's better this way.

*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

GOD! IT ISN'T BETTER THIS WAY! Buffy screamed inside. I swear Sarah has portrayed too many of her songs on me and Angel! She and Willow decided to skip that day and have a chocolate pig-out and listening to Sarah McLachlan and all the other extremely depressing female artists. She hadn't felt this bad since she had sent Angel to hell. Now it was his turn. She was in emotional hell. God, she wished he was here and in his arms so that he could comfort her.

Part 3:

Angel opened the door, surprised to find Xander there. "Hey Xander. Is something wrong?"

"You need to come back to Sunnydale."

"Why? Is Buffy Ok?" A look of concern flashed over his face

"Physically… yes. Emotionally…" He trailed off "You need to come back."

"Why?"

Xander exploded. "DON'T YOU GET IT! She is emotionally dead!!! The glint is gone from her eyes. She misses you. She doesn't admit but she does. God, man it's like everyday she doesn't see you a little piece of her soul dies!"

"But… but…" Angel sputtered surprised by Xander's outburst.

"DON'T EVEN GIVE ME THAT 'I did for her own good' crap. She is hurt worse than I have ever seen her."

"But she has Riley," He spat the name out "And her normal life."

"GOD! SHE CAN'T HAVE A NORMAL LIFE! SHE IS THE SLAYER! And Riley… WHATEVER! She hasn't gone out with him for days. Willow says she ignores his calls. As much as I hate to say it… you two were meant for each other. Don't even protest! You where fricken' sent back from hell! You think that happens to often? Huh?"

"Fine. I'll go. It sounds bad." Was all he could say.

"Hell it is."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The phone rang in their dorm. Willow answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey Willow. I got him."

"XANDER! Hey. Good."

"Can I talk to Buffy? I won't tell her."

"Ok." She handed the phone to Buffy

"Hey Buff… how are you?"

"Fine. Chocolate filled, but fine."

"Mmmm. Look, I went up to… uh… Sacramento for a one day family visit. I brought something for you."

"Really? What?" Curiosity tinged her voice.

"Surprise. Look I have to go. I'm gonna go down to LA to visit Cordy, but I'll be back tomorrow night."

"Bye"

"What was that about?" Willow asked

"Xander said he was in Sacramento I think it was and he said he is gonna give me something when he gets done with visiting Cordy. He'll be back tomorrow."

"Cool." Willow said, internally smiling. She'd gotten better at the secrets thing. She looked at her watch. "Oh no! Oz is picking me up to go to the Bronze in 30 minutes and I haven't even figured out what to wear!"

Buffy smiled, happy with her friend's happiness. Willow had went up totally when Oz came back. Tara hadn't been to pleased but she understood and they were still friends. "I'll help you pick something out." She said walking to the closets. "Now, Casual or formal."

"Semi Formal."

"Ok, let's se what I can find." She rummaged in the closet "AHA! and pulled out a blue sparkly T-shirt and a black skirt.

"This is perfect!" Willow said "Thanks."

Willow changed and was brushing her hair when their was a knock at the door. Buffy opened it to see… Riley and groaned inwardly.

"Hey, I noticed that you weren't at class so I brought you and Willow the homework."

"Thanks Riley." Buffy said plastering a fake smile on her face. "But, I'm sick, and it might be contagious. I don't want you getting sick." she said than thought Oh wait, I do! "Thanks again for the homework. Bye" She said and closed the door on his face. "God I'm getting sick of him." She said out loud. Willow giggled.

A few minutes later there was a knock. Buffy opened the door to a much more welcome visitor. Oz.

"Hey Buffy"

"Hey"

"OZ!!" Willow hugged him.

"Hey baby, you look great."

Willow turned back to Buffy. " You wanna come?"

"Nah, I'm gonna check in with Giles and then patrol."

"Well, ok." Willow said. "Be careful."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Buffy walked up to Giles's door and knocked. Spike answered.

"Where is Giles?"

"Well hello to you too Slayer. He's on an errand."

"I'll wait."

"Fine."

Buffy walked in and sat on the couch. Her mind drifted to the song.

You do what you have to do.
Fate has led you through it
You do what you have to do.

I have the sense to recognize
that I don't know how to let you go.
Every moment marked with apparitions of your soul
I'm ever swiftly moving, trying to escape this desire
The yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do
The yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do

She didn't notice that she had started crying. Spike walked in from the kitchen

"Bloody Hell pet, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, Nothing." She said frantically wiping tears from her face.

"You miss Peaches, don't you."

She just sat there.

"Ah, pet, it's ok. He'll come back sometime."

"After what I said last time, I doubt it."

"Pet, he loves you. No matter what you say, no matter what you do, he'll love you."* What the hell am I doing! I'm comforting the slayer. God, I'm turning into a bloody poof!*

"Thank you. It's a little odd to have you, of all people, comforting me."

"I know, I don't know why I am either, ducks."

Just then the door opened.

"Giles!" She said, standing up. "I just wanted to check in with you, see if there is any new evil. And then patrol. So… any evil?"

"No, thankfully, not right now."

"Good, I'll go patrol now. Bye!" She walked through the door.

"What's wrong with her." The hidden pain on her face wasn't very hidden.

"She misses the Poof." Said Spike

"Oh. Well."

"Yeah."

They just sat there in an awkward silence.

*~*~*~*~*~

Part 4:

"I'm worried about Buffy." Said Willow to Oz, At their table.

"Why?"

"Haven't you noticed? The shine in her eyes is gone and she is extra pouty."

"Yeah, now that you mention it. Why, do you think?"

"She misses Angel. I've always considered him her soulmate, and well… being apart that long. You get the picture."

"Yeah. It has to be hard."

"Can you keep a secret?" She asked playfully.

"Yes." He replied

"Xander went up to LA to get him."

"Cool. Buffy will be happy… hopefully."

"Well, after this morning I think she will."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It had been pretty much been an uneventful night. Only five vamps that weren't very hard to kill. She walked back to her dorm, tired. "Looks like another night of Sarah." She sighed. She walked to her to her dorm. She went inside and turned on the CD player and flopped on her bed.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

In the arms of the Angels
Fly away from here…

And she fell asleep imagining herself in Angel's arms.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

She was engulfed in darkness, a white mist swirling around her.

"Where am I?" She yelled.

"Shh lover, it's ok." Said a familiar voice

"Angel?"

"Yes, it's me. Don't give up Buffy, Never give up. I love you, I will forever."

Buffy awoke with a start. Light was shining through the windows. She smiled.

"You look perky." Willow said

"Oh I am." She said smiling. "Today I'm gonna do something I should have done a long time ago."

"And that is?"

"Break up with Riley."

"You go girl!" Willow was internally cheering.

Buffy got up and got dressed. "Wanna come to breakfast with me?"

"I'd love to."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

They sat in the cafeteria and just talked. Buffy got up. "Sorry to leave, but I have a certain farm boy to break up with. Bye!"

"Bye." Willow got up and headed to Giles's. She had some research to do.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"So… what are you saying?"

"I'm saying we're over Riley. I really like you but it just isn't gonna work out."

"I can't believe this!"

"Believe it Riley. It's over. Go run to Bessie or something."

Riley started to cry. "Sorry Riley." *Oh wait I'm not sorry* She walked out of his Frat house.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Willow poured over all the books she could before Pshc. Class. Finally finding what she was looking for she smiled and she took it with her to the dorm and met up with Buffy just before class started.

"So How did farm boy breakup go?"

"Good, for me. He's hurt though."

"Figures, come on we'll be late for class."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Buffy pulled herself through all her classes. By the time she got back to the dorm she was exhausted. "I guess I have time to nap before Xander comes by."

So many images filled Buffy's head. Standing at the pier and seeing Angel come into the sunlight and kiss her, her falling asleep to his heartbeat, Hugging him and crying

"How much time?"

"A minute."

"That's not enough time. She sobbed. "I'll never forget, I'll never forget, I'll never-" And a flash of light.

She sat up as soon Willow came through the door.

"Oh my god. Oh. My. God. That couldn't be real."

"What couldn't?"

"A dream. I'll tell you later, Xander's gonna be here soon." She got up and brushed her hair.

Then came a knock.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Part 5:

A car ride with deadboy wasn't high on Xander's fun list. *I'm doing this for Buffy. I'm doing this for Buffy.*

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

An hour later Xander and Angel stood at Buffy's door. Xander knocked and Buffy answered.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Hey Buff, Here's your present." Angel stepped out from the hall. Buffy's face lit up and she smiled a genuine Buffy smile.

Her eye filled with tears "Angel?"

"Don't cry Buffy." He pulled her into a hug and rested his head on hers.

"Now it's time for my present." Willow said from across the room.

"You were in on this?"

"Yep, now read this." She couldn't contain her smile. She pulled out a book and pointed to a passage. They read, amazed.

"You could…" asked Angel.

"Yes, with Tara's help."

Angel hugged Willow "Thank you. You always were a great friend."

Willow smiled, then called Tara. Then she started setting up to make Angel's soul permanent.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Part 6:

Tara and Willow started to chant. Xander waved smelly stuff around them and Angel sat on the bed with Buffy waiting till the end of the spell. When Willow and Tara stopped chanting, Angel's eyes flashed blue and he smiled. "It worked." Willow said grabbing Tara and twirling her around.

"Thanks." Buffy and Angel said in unison.

"And to celebrate this wonderful occasion, let's call Cordy and head for coffee." Xander said.

"Okkkay Xander, we'll do that." Willow said eyeing Xander.

Buffy called Cordy with the news.

"Angel Investigations, We help the helpless."

"Hey Cor, it's me."

"Buffy! Hi. Has Xander come by yet?"

"Yes and Willow had a little surprise too."

"And that was?"

"You're gonna be calling him soulboy no matter what."

"Oh My Gosh! That's great! I have to go I have another call, It may be a paying customer, but call me okay! Bye" She said, hanging up the phone.

"Bye." Buffy said into the reciever. She set the phone on the cradle. "Coffee time!"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Buffy had her arm around Angel's waist the whole way to the coffee shop.

Angel turned to Buffy. "Wait… what about Riley?"

"Don't worry, I broke up with him this morning. I have great timing, don't I."

He laughed. "Yea, I guess you do." And put his arm around her shoulders."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The unimaginable happened. Riley was at the coffee shop.

He stalked up to Buffy and Angel. "YOU! !!I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT! YOU DUMPED ME FOR HIM!!!"

"Riley, calm down. I didn't even know Angel was coming down when I broke up with you. Plus, we're celebrating something."

"And that is?"

"Not that it is any of your business, but, Willow made Angel's soul permanent."

"I bet you are happy, now you shag him all you want."

"Don't talk to her like that." Angel growled.

"What are you gonna do about it?"

"I've kicked your ass before and I WILL do it again if need be. So boy, get the hell away."

"I'm not afraid of you." Riley said, trying to look tough.

"Oh, you should be Riley, or I will to, and you have seen me when I'm pissed, I *don't* think you want to be the person to I'm pissed off at." Buffy said, stepping in.

"Well, fine! Two to One isn't fair anyway." He grumbled as he walked away.

Buffy kissed Angel lightly on the lips, "That went well."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Xander, Tara, and Willow were waiting for them.

"Well that looked like fun, I wished I could have been there to tell off Fishboy." Xander said.

"Xander!" Willow slapped his arm playfully.

"Deadboy gets all the fun." He said, joking.

"By, the way, Anya and Oz should be here soon. Spike too, I think. " Willow said.

"Spike? I have a feeling I missed something." Angel said, puzzled.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Part 7:

They had arrived at the door of the dorm, all laughing.

"Umm I think we are gonna go now. Willow said and tugged on Oz.

"Us too." Xander and Anya took off

"Oh well, they're gone, so I have to go then. Bye Slayer, Peaches."

Angel was still stunned at how much Spike had changed. He still attempted to be a big bad but he was better.

"So… let's talk." Buffy said, interrupting his thoughts.

"Mmm ok, Talk."

They entered the dorm and she sat on the bed. He sat right next to her.

Her eyes filled with tears.

"Buffy, what's wrong?"

She let out a shaky sobbed and looked at him "I told you I'd never forget Angel, and I did, I forgot, I forgot."

"Shh Buffy, it's ok, you remember now. Are you mad at me?"

"No, you gave up everything you ever wanted for me. How could I be mad at you for that."

He smiled.

"Oh, and just for the record, I don't give a damn about a normal life."

He laughed. They kissed. Passionately. They fell over on the bed.

"Wait. Buffy. Should we?"

"No. Just… hold me."

And he did. Buffy fell asleep in the arms of her Angel.

And this time, she didn't have to pretend.

The End

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