Distribution: TPWFLD; Angel of Mine; otherwise please ask.
Disclaimer: Characters don't belong to me. They belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. No copyright infringement intended.
Rating: R
Author's Note: Takes place several years after Becoming. None of Season 3 has happened.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Giles looked out his office window, and could almost trick himself into believing nothing had changed. But the illusion never lasted. Four years had passed since his Slayer abandoned everything and everyone in Sunnydale. Four years since her friends were forced to take over for her, irrevocably changing all of their lives. Giles had tried to find Buffy, but she had hidden herself well. And after awhile he gave up trying. As the years went by with no word, Giles found himself growing more and more angry with her. At first he'd tried to understand her decision, even tried to rationalize it, but he hadn't been able to continue defending her. Giles watched night after night, year after year, as innocent people died. People that Buffy should've been protecting. He and the others did the best they could to protect Sunnydale, but they could only do so much.
Giles watched his friends in the library.....preparing once again to face death. His love and respect for each of them had grown over the years. Even though it wasn't their duty to protect Sunnydale, they had all made the choice to take Buffy's place. To protect their home, their families, and each other. All of them had become a much tighter group then before, each willing to give their lives for the others. And the deaths of two of their own had only brought them closer together. It made them more determined to protect others from the dangers of the Hellmouth.
Buffy's name wasn't mentioned anymore. As far as they were concerned, she had abandoned all of them. Never once considering how her disappearance would affect them. They had all gone on with their lives........without the Slayer.
Buffy stared out the bus window. She grew nervous as the scenery grew more and more familiar. It had been four years since she'd left. Four long, lonely years. It had taken her a long time to get over the things that had happened. She'd had nightmares for months about Angel, and sending him to Hell. And there wasn't a day that went by that she didn't think about him, miss him, love him. But, she'd accepted what had happened, and knew it was time to return. The others needed her, and she had missed them all. Once she got back, things would be like they were. It would be like the last four years had never happened. Buffy was glad to be returning home.
End Prologue
Buffy stood outside the house, looking at the place she hadn't seen in years. After arriving in Sunnydale, she had decided that her first stop should be to see her mother, but she wasn't exactly syre what she was going to say. Buffy took a deep breath, rang the bell, and waited nervously.
The door opened, revealing a woman Buffy had never seen before. " Yes? May I help you?"
"I.....I'm looking for my mother, Joyce Summers. She lives here." Buffy said.
"I'm sorry, miss, but my family and I have lived here for almost three years."
Buffy couldn't believe it. Where was her mother?
"Do you happen to know what happened to the previous owner?"
"No, I don't, sorry. All I know is that she sold the house and left town. Goodbye." The woman said as she closed the door.
Buffy turned and headed to the library. Hopefully Giles would be able to tell her what had happened to her mother. Then he could fill her in on what the rest of the gang was up to. Buffy was sure none of them had stuck around Sunnydale, but she would need to contact them and let them know she was back. They'd want to come and welcome her home.
Giles sat at the computer, searching through the files. He had finally been forced to admit that Willow had been right. Scanning all of his ancient books of prophecy onto the computer made research easier, and took less time. Giles didn't look up when he heard the door open, he assumed one of the others had returned early.
"I didn't expect you back so........" Giles stopped as he looked up and saw who entered.
"Hi, Giles." Buffy said, as she walked closer to the stunned Watcher.
Giles stood deathly still, staring at the young woman. She looked exactly as she had four years ago. It was obvious that her life away from Sunnydale hadn't been too terrible. {Unlike ours.} Giles continued staring, not trusting himself to say anything.
"Aren't you going to say something? You're making me nervous." Buffy said.
"Say what, exactly?"
"Oh, I don't know, maybe hello? Or, how about welcome back? Or, I missed you? Something along those lines would be good." Buffy said sarcastically.
"What are you doing here, Buffy?" Giles asked, not using any of her choices.
And that fact didn't escape Buffy. She hadn't expected this kind of reaction from her Watcher. She'd assumed Giles would be thrilled to have her back. He'd take her in a huge hug, and say how thankful he was that she was alright. And he'd welcome her home. But Giles wasn't acting thrilled to see her, he seemed distant and angry. As she watched Giles, Buffy noticed that more then his attitude had changed. Dressed in black jeans and a sweatshirt, her stuffy Watcher looked years younger.
"I've come home, Giles. I'm here to stay."
Giles shook his head, and walked over to the counter. Leaning his elbows on the counter, he massaged his temples. This was something none of them needed to deal with. Not now.......not after all these years. Giles kept his back to her as he spoke.
"I think it would be best if you left, Buffy. Go back to wherever you came from."
"Excuse me? Best for who?" Buffy asked.
"Best for everyone. You've been gone a long time, and you can't just walk back in here like nothings happened. Things change and people change, it's human nature. This is no longer your home, Buffy. You have no place here anymore."
"I don't believe what I'm hearing! This coming from the man who used to lecture me about sacred duties, is telling me to leave? To walk away from my duty as the Slayer?" Buffy yelled.
Giles turned around, glaring at Buffy. " *You* already walked away from your duties! Your duty as a Slayer, as a friend, as a daughter. Any of this familiar to you, Buffy? Four years ago you walked away!"
"But I came back! The Slayer's place is on the Hellmouth, I realize that." Buffy argued.
"And that's where I am."
Buffy and Giles both turned to look at the new arrival. Buffy watched as the dark-haired woman walked over to Giles.
"Talking about me behind my back?"
"Of course not. Faith, this is Buffy." Giles said.
Buffy saw Faith's eyes widen at that introduction. She watched as Faith looked her up and down, then turned to Giles. Buffy noticed that the woman was about to say something, but Giles shook his head.
"She just showed up now. I was telling her that it would be better for everyone involved if she left town, immediately." Giles explained.
"I told you I'm not leaving. I want to know why you're acting this way. And where my mother and the gang are? And who the hell she is?" Buffy asked, pointing to Faith.
Faith looked to Giles, and he simply nodded. "I'm the Slayer."
End Part 1
"Who the hell do you think you are?" Buffy yelled.
"I just told you. I'm the Slayer. What part of that didn't you understand?"
Buffy glared at the other woman and turned to Giles. "Care to explain?"
Giles sighed, "I don't need to explain anything to you. But, to simplify matters, Faith was called when Kendra died. She came to Sunnydale about three years ago."
"A second Slayer..... again? When is the Watcher's Council going to get their act together." Buffy said.
"I'm not a *second* Slayer, I'm *the* Slayer." Faith countered.
"Like hell you are! I'm the Slayer!" Buffy yelled.
"Not anymore, blondie." Faith said.
"Why, you little...." Buffy said as she attacked Faith.
Faith easily deflected Buffy's attack. The years Buffy had been away had made her rusty. She had done no training or exercises while she'd been gone. Buffy looked up from her position on the floor, to see both Giles and Faith standing in front of her.
"As you can see, Faith is more then capable of fulfilling her role as Slayer. For once, just listen to someone else. Leave. Before you hurt everyone more then you already have." Giles said.
Buffy jumped up, "No way."
"Stubborn, isn't she?" Faith asked.
Buffy glared at Faith, who glared back. "Giles, where's my mother? There's someone else living in our house."
Buffy watched Faith jump up on the counter, then turned to her Watcher.
"After you left, Joyce was scared to death that something had happened to you. She was in a complete state of panic. We called your father, and he came down to look after her. Your mother couldn't accept that you'd run away, because she didn't believe that you'd do something that would hurt everyone so much. But, the longer you were gone, she began to believe it. She and your father reunited, and are living in L.A." Giles answered.
"My parents are together? Wow. I should call her. Let them know I'm alright."
"I think you should go to L.A." Faith said.
"I don't recall asking for your opinion. Why don't you leave?" Buffy asked.
"Because, *I* belong here." Faith replied.
"I don't have to take this from you, you........."
"She's right, Buffy." Giles said.
Buffy turned to her Watcher. "You can't be serious?"
"I don't know how to make this any clearer to you. Faith is the Slayer, and she's the one who belongs here. You gave up the life you had here.....the good and the bad."
"Do the others know about *her*?" Buffy asked.
"Of course," Giles answered simply, "And they accept her."
"We'll just see about that! Once they learn I'm back, we'll see who they side with!" Buffy yelled.
"This isn't a contest, Buffy. If you try to make it one, you'll lose."
"Tell me where they are, Giles. Where are the others?"
Buffy watched as Giles stood in front of Faith. She nearly choked when she saw the other Slayer lean over Giles' shoulder and whisper in his ear. Giles turned and whispered something back. As Giles turned back, Buffy noticed he didn't move from his current position. He was leaning against the counter......between Faith's legs! And Buffy didn't miss seeing the other Slayer put her hands on Giles' shoulders. {What the hell is going on here?}
"Buffy, just turn around and walk away. I won't warn you again." Giles warned.
"Don't threaten me, Giles! I don't know what's going on with you and that imposter, but I want to know where my friends are! Tell me where they are!" Buffy demanded.
"You don't have any friends. At least not in this town." Faith replied.
"Shut up, you little bitch! This doesn't concern you."
Giles was about to say something, but the gentle pressure from Faith kept him quiet. He had hoped to be able to convince Buffy to leave before the others got back, but it wasn't going to happen. Buffy was determined to stay in Sunnydale. Did she actually believe that nothing had changed? That she'd come back and everyone would just forgive and forget? {Obviously. Stupid girl.} Giles wished Buffy would just leave, it would be so much easier. A tap on his shoulder drew his attention to Faith, and he noticed her glance to the door. He took a deep breath. There was no avoiding the issue any longer.
"I'm waiting, Giles." Buffy said.
"Turn around, Buffy. But just remember.......I warned you." Giles said.
Buffy turned. She smiled as she saw Willow and Xander standing there. Yelling their names, Buffy throw herself into their arms. She pulled them tightly against her, mumbling how much she'd missed them. It took her several moments to realize that they weren't responding. Backing up, the smile slowly left her face. Neither Willow nor Xander were smiling........and they both backed away from her.
Buffy saw them glance at Giles, then turned their eyes back to her. "I'm home guys. To stay."
Xander just glared at her, then pushed past her into the library. Dropping into a chair at the table, he continued to glare at her. Buffy turned her attention to Willow.
"Will? Come on, say something."
As Willow tried to walk past her, Buffy grabbed her arm. "Will?"
Buffy was surprised by how quickly Willow got her arm free.
"Don't.....touch.....me." Willow said, then walked over to sit next to Xander.
Buffy stood there stunned. Her two best friends were treating her like an outcast. Why were they treating her this way? Buffy was determined to find out. She walked over to the table, and sat down, making sure she could see everyone.
"We need to talk." Buffy said.
Buffy watched as the other four exchanged glances. Something was going on, but she didn't know what it was. The only thing she knew was that things weren't happening as she'd dreamed. Her homecoming was turning out to be anything but happy.
End Part 2
Buffy sat staring between the four people in the room. Three of them were supposed to be her friends, and they wouldn't even look at her now. And it was unnerving for her, watching Giles and the other Slayer standing so close together. {God! I have a million questions, and I don't even know where to start.} Deciding that she wouldn't get anymore out of Giles, Buffy turned to Xander.
She looked at him more closely then she had earlier. His body had a more muscular look to it, and his face looked hard. Buffy hadn't seen any real emotion from him since he'd entered the library. It was obvious that he had changed quite a bit.
"Xander, what did you do after graduation? Did you go on to school?" Buffy asked.
Xander glanced at her, but didn't answer.
"Where's Cordelia? Are you two still together?" Buffy tried again.
This time the look Xander gave her sent chills down her spine. Buffy saw Xander's hands clench on the arms of the chair. She watched as Willow covered his hand with hers. Buffy watched her friends exchange a look, and Xander seemed to relax a little. {What did I say?}
"You don't know when to quit, do you blondie?" Faith asked.
Buffy turned to Faith. "Shut up! I told you before this doesn't concern you."
"You're the one it doesn't concern."
Buffy turned to Xander. It was the first time she'd heard his voice. Even that was different.
"What?" Buffy asked.
"My life doesn't concern *you*. Not anymore."
"Come on, Xander. Don't be that way. I had to leave. I thought you'd understand that."
Xander stood up and faced Buffy. "Understand what? That my 'best friend' left us to fend for ourselves. You left us and never once gave a thought to what would happen to us!"
"That's not true! I thought about you guys everyday, but I couldn't stay here. Look, once I explain what happened you'll understand. Leaving was the only way I knew to survive." Buffy said.
"Oh, yeah, for *you* to survive. And to hell with the rest of us!" Xander yelled.
"Xander, if you'll just listen......."
Xander walked up to Buffy, just inches from her face. "Go to hell!"
Buffy stared in shock at her friend. There was so much hatred directed at her, she could hear it in his voice. She watched as Xander headed to the door.
"I can't stay here. Not while *she's* here," Xander pointed to Buffy, "When the others get here, will you tell......." Xander said.
"We'll let her know that you're at home."
"Thanks Faith. Night Giles. Will, call later." Xander said, then left the library.
Buffy was still confused about what was happening. First Giles, now Xander. Why were they all turning against her? Then another thought hit her.
"Shouldn't someone go with him? It's nighttime."
"Boy, nothing gets by you, does it?" Faith asked sarcastically.
"Xander can take care of himself......he learned quickly."
Buffy ignored Faith's comment and turned to Willow. Although physically Willow looked the same as she had in high school, there was something different about her. She wasn't the shy, innocent girl she'd been.
"Look, I know you both probably had to learn some self-defense when I left, but you know it's not safe for you guys to be out alone at night." Buffy said.
Willow walked over to Buffy, facing her. "Don't talk down to me. We had to learn more then just 'some self defense'. Who the hell do you think protected Sunnydale after you ran off?"
"Well.....I....uh, I guess I didn't think about it. When Giles mentioned Faith......" Buffy stuttered.
"Faith came three years ago. Do the math. We were alone for a year, doing the job that *you* should've been doing."
Buffy couldn't believe it. Willow and Xander had taken over slaying? And they were still alive?
"Giles, how could you have let them do that?" Buffy asked.
"None of us had a choice, Buffy. We all did what we had to do to survive." Giles answered.
Buffy turned back to Willow. "Will, I'm sorry. Tell me what happened. I thought you and Xander and the others probably left town right after graduation."
"We didn't run.....that was your department." Willow said calmly.
Buffy ran her hands through her hair. She sat down in her chair, and looked at Willow. "Look, you don't know what happened......"
"Before or after you sent Angel to Hell?" Willow asked.
Buffy was shocked, "How did you know about that?"
Willow leaned against the table, but didn't answer. Buffy looked to Giles and Faith, but neither one of them spoke. Buffy's head was pounding, and none of this was helping.
"Willow, how did you know about me sending Angel to Hell? He and I were the only ones there when it happened."
"Sorry, but your secret got out." Willow said.
"What secret? What are you talking about?" Buffy asked.
"That you sent Angel, the man you supposedly loved, to Hell..........after he got his soul back. Then you left town so that none of us would know what happened."
"I had no choice. I did what I had to do, even though I loved him with all my heart. And I left town because I was too devastated to stay!" Buffy yelled.
The room was silent as Buffy and Willow stared at each other. The phone ringing echoed through the room, until Faith answered. Buffy couldn't make out what she was saying, but it was obvious she was telling someone that Buffy was back.
"Willow, I......"
"The others will be here in a few minutes. I informed them of the situation." Faith interuppted.
"What others? Cordelia and Oz are here, too?" Buffy asked.
"Cordelia and Oz are dead......thanks to you!" Willow said, then turned her back on Buffy.
Giles watched as Buffy dropped back into her chair, tears running down her cheeks. Once upon a time, he would've gone to comfort her, but those times were gone. He'd tried to warn Buffy to leave before someone got hurt, but she'd refused to listen. And that little piece of reality was only the beginning......the more she learned, the more she was going to wish she'd listened. Giles leaned back against Faith, taking strength in her presence. She had been the one good thing to come out of all this for him. That was one thing he was thankful for.....they each had someone to hold onto. And now Buffy's presence threatened that as well. {Why couldn't she just have stayed away?}
End Part 3
Buffy looked around the room. "What others?"
"Friends. And neither of them is going to be happy to see you." Faith said.
Buffy really didn't like the dark-haired Slayer. {I bet she's been turning everyone against me.}
"Friends of yours? Geez, more skanky ho's." Buffy said sarcastically.
"Look who's talking." Willow mumbled.
Buffy turned to Willow. She hadn't quite caught what Willow said. "What did you say?"
Willow just glanced at Buffy then turned her attention to the door.
"Buffy, you can see that this isn't turning out the way you had intended. Now do you understand why I wanted you to leave? If you stay, you're going to hurt people, and you're going to get hurt. Leave now, before this goes any further." Giles said.
"How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not leaving? Ok, so things around here have changed a little, but I'm staying. This is where I belong."
"A little? Things have changed more then a little, Buffy. You've been back, what, ten minutes, and you think you know everything. You wonder why we act the way we do? This is a result of the past four years. You have no idea what we've gone through." Giles said angrily.
"I want to know what you've all been up to while I've been gone. Get everything out in the open so we can go back to normal." Buffy said.
Willow rolled her eyes, and sat on the table. "You don't get it, do you?"
"Get what?" Buffy asked, frustrated.
Faith shook her head. "You know, you're supposed to stop pushing the Q-tip when you meet resistence."
"What? What are you talking about?" Buffy asked, the remark flying over her head.
"Geez, are you naturally dense or do you work at it?" Faith asked.
"I'm not listening to you. So you can keep your sarcastic remarks to yourself." Buffy said.
"Nope, no can do. They're my defense mechanism. And it doesn't work unless I direct them at someone." Faith countered.
Buffy shook her head. She had no idea what the other Slayer was talking about.
"Look, I'm getting sick and tired of playing Twenty Questions. I want someone to tell me what's going on around here. What happened to Cordelia and Oz? Why is *that* woman hanging on Giles? Why am I getting this attitude from my friends? I want some answers....now!" Buffy demanded.
"Why? You writing a book?" Faith asked.
Buffy spun around to face Faith. "I told you to keep your damn mouth shut!"
"You want? We don't care what you want, Buffy.....not anymore. You're in no position to demand anything." Willow said.
With a final glare at Faith, Buffy walked over to stand in front of Willow. "Will, you're my best friend. I get that you're angry with me for leaving, but I had to. Please, just talk to me."
"Four years ago I wanted to talk to you. But I do have one question for you.......why didn't you tell us what you did to Angel? If you were so distraught about what you'd done, why didn't you come to us? We could've found a way to help."
"Willow, there was nothing you could've done. I'd just sent the man I love to Hell. I needed time to deal with that."
"And did you? Deal with it, I mean. You've been gone four years. Four years with not even a note." Willow said.
Buffy glanced around the library, the only thing that hadn't changed. "It's taken me this long to accept what happened, and try to move on. It was finally time to come home."
"And do you still love him? Still think of him?" Willow asked.
Buffy didn't hesitate. "I think of him every day, Willow. And I've never stopped loving him."
Buffy saw Willow take a deep breath and close her eyes. {What's the matter with her?}
"Willow?"
Buffy turned as she heard the library door open. In walked a person she recognized. What was Amy doing here? Buffy saw the look of loathing in Amy's eyes as she moved to stand next to Giles and Faith. Buffy was about to question Amy's presence, when someone else walked through the door. Buffy's legs nearly collapsed as she saw who was standing in the door.
"Angel!?!?"
End Part 4
Buffy couldn't believe her eyes. Standing in the doorway, dressed in faded jeans and leather jacket, was Angel. He made no move towards her, just stood and stared at her. Buffy could feel the tears begin to fall down her cheeks. Hesitantly, Buffy walked to stand in front of Angel.
"My God, is it really you?"
Angel didn't respond. Buffy reached up to touch his cheek, only to have her hand slapped away. She looked up in surprise.
"Angel? How can this be? I......I don't understand any of this."
"Big surprise." Buffy heard Faith's remark, but chose to ignore it. The only thing that mattered to her right then was that Angel was standing in front of her.
The room was deathly quiet, no one making a sound. Giles watched Buffy gawking at Angel, and he could tell the vampire was fighting his impulse to push the blonde Slayer away from him. Giles turned to see Willow watching the scene intently. He decided he needed to step in.
"Buffy, you don't understand any of this because you weren't here. I tried telling you that things changed while you were away. Angel's return is only one of the things you missed." Giles said.
Buffy momentarily turned to Giles, but turned back only to find Angel had moved. Turning, she saw him leaning against the table next to Willow. Her gaze was glued to the face of the man she'd never stopped loving.
"How is this possible? I thought he was dead." Buffy said.
"We don't owe you any explanations." Amy answered.
Buffy turned to the witch. "I wasn't talking to you, Amy. What are you even doing here?"
"Amy's become a very valuable member of this group, Buffy. And has been for a long time." Giles replied.
"Look, I......." Buffy began.
"Amy, Xander headed home. He needed some fresh air." Faith interrupted.
Amy looked from her friends to Buffy, "Thanks, Faith. I think I'll meet him there. Talk to you guys later."
Buffy watched Amy leave, then turned back to Giles. "Another change that I don't know about?"
Giles shrugged. Buffy turned her attention back to Angel. He still hadn't said a word to her. She couldn't believe that he was actually standing in front of her. How many nights had she dreamed about him, and now he was real? They had been given a second chance. She didn't know how all of it happened, and at the moment she didn't care. Having Angel back was enough.
"I think we've all had just about enough for tonight. I suggest we all go home, and get some rest. And since it's obvious Buffy's not leaving, we can all meet back here tomorrow night, and sit down and talk." Giles said.
Faith jumped off the counter and grabbed her jacket. Giles grabbed his coat, and turned to Buffy. "Where will you be staying, Buffy?"
Buffy couldn't take her eyes off of Angel. "I had assumed I'd stay with mom, but I suppose I'll have to get a hotel room."
Giles knew Buffy was expecting one of them to offer to let her stay with them, but that wasn't going to happen. If she was going to stay, it was better if it was in her own space.
"Fine, then we'll see you tomorrow. Willow, Angel......Faith and I are heading home. Are you going to be alright?" Giles asked.
They both nodded, and Buffy watched as Giles wrapped his arm around Faith's shoulders as they walked out of the library.....leaving Buffy alone with Willow and Angel.
"Are those two together or something?"
"Kind of looks that way." Willow said.
"And what about Xander and Amy? It sounded like they were together."
"What do you care?" Willow asked.
"Cut the attitude, Willow. You're starting to sound like that Faith person."
Willow stood up, putting on her jacket. "You don't know anything about Faith. And you don't have a clue what's going on around here. We're not your little followers anymore, Buffy. You should've listened to Giles and left."
Buffy saw Willow glance at Angel then walk away. Buffy turned to Angel. He was walking toward the doors.
"Angel, wait."
Willow stopped at the door and looked back. Angel had stopped halfway between her and Buffy. She said nothing, just waited.
"Please stay, Angel. We need to talk, privately."
"No."
Buffy watched as Angel walked away from her, and left the library with Willow. Buffy dropped into a chair, and ran her fingers through her hair. Nothing made sense to her. She felt like she'd walked into the twilight zone. None of her friends were acting the way she remembered them. And Angel.........she had never seen him treat her so coldly. But, she at least understood his reaction. After all, she'd sent him to Hell. Buffy knew that she'd have to make that up to him.
Buffy left the library and got a hotel room. What she needed was a few hours sleep, then she'd go to Angel's. The two of them needed time alone before she talked to the gang the following night. And hopefully Angel would help her make sense of what was happening. Buffy drifted to sleep with dreams of once again being in Angel's arms.
End Part 5
After discreetly checking the mansion, Buffy headed to Angel's apartment. It was obvious that the mansion was haven to new vamps, and she wasn't up to dealing with them. Buffy got to Angel's apartment, and stood looking at the door. It was only 8am, so she knew he'd be sleeping. She had planned to wait a little while longer, but she was too impatient.
Buffy took a deep breath, then knocked on the door. After several moments, she heard movement inside. As she raised her hand to knock again, the door opened. Her breath caught as she saw Angel standing there, naked except for his jeans. He stood there, with his hand propped on the door.
"Angel, I thought we needed to talk. You know, before tonight." Buffy said.
Angel's expression was unreadable. After several seconds, he brought his arm down and backed away. Buffy took this as a good sign and entered the small apartment. The sight of the disheveled bed brought back so many memories for her. She heard Angel close the door, and she turned to him. Buffy watched as he dropped into the chair, and stretched out his legs. She sat down on the edge of the bed, never taking her eyes off Angel.
"So, talk."
{Oh, great, he's back to being Cryptic Guy. I melted him before, and I'll do it again.} Buffy shrugged out of her jacket.
"I'm not sure where to start. So much has happened to me since the last time we saw each other. You have no idea how much it hurt me....sending you to Hell. Having to do that to you nearly destroyed me. That's why I left town. To try to put it out of my mind, but I never stopped loving you, Angel."
"Is that all?"
"Angel, please. This is so hard on me. We need to get all the anger and hurt feelings out of the way. We've been given a second chance, and we can't let it slip away." Buffy said.
"Second chance at what?"
Buffy looked closely at Angel. "To be together. We can make things right, and it'll be like........"
"Like the past four years never happened? Like you never sent me to Hell? Is that what you believe?" Angel asked angrily.
"I know it won't be easy, but we can get past this. We belong together. We're soulmates."
Angel shook his head, and stood. "You're delusional. Whatever we had ended when you ran me through. And as for us belonging together, that's a load of crap. I have found my soulmate, and it sure as Hell isn't you!"
"What.......what do you mean? You're involved with someone else?" Buffy asked. She had never considered that possibility.
"I'm in *love* with someone else. And *she* is my soulmate."
"But you still love me! You have to!" Buffy yelled.
"I think it's time you left." Angel said.
"No. Tell me who she is! Tell me who the stealing bitch is!"
Buffy watched Angel's face darken with anger. His fists clenched at his sides, and she could tell he was losing his patience.
"Fine. Since you're stupid enough to want to stay where you're not wanted, you'd find out soon enough."
Angel walked to the bathroom door and knocked. "You might as well come out. She's not going to leave until she sees you."
Buffy watched as Angel leaned casually against the wall. He was even more gorgeous then she'd remembered. She didn't give a damn who the woman was. Buffy was determined to get Angel back......and no one was going to stop her.
The bathroom door opened, and a woman in a jersey nightshirt walked out. Buffy's jaw dropped open when she saw Angel pull the woman into his arms.
"Willow!?"
"Hello again, Buffy."
Buffy shook her head at the sight in front of her. {Angel and Willow? No way!} She watched as Angel whispered something into Willow's ear, and Willow nodded. Buffy wanted to go over there and pull Willow out of Angel's arms. She was the one who belonged there, not Willow.
As she stood watching the couple, Buffy thought she finally understood what had happened. {Yes, that explains everything.}
"You lying, little bitch! This is all your doing. You did this to me!" Buffy yelled.
"What are you talking about?" Willow asked.
"At first I thought it was Faith, but she wouldn't have been able to do this. It had to be someone much closer. God! I trusted you, and this is how you repay me!"
Willow looked up and Angel, but he shrugged. Neither had a clue what Buffy was rambling on about.
"How did you do it?" Buffy asked.
"Do what?" Willow wanted to know.
"How did you turn everyone I love against me!?" Buffy yelled.
Willow straightened and walked to Buffy. "You're crazy. *I* didn't turn anyone against you......you did that on your own. Don't you take any responsibility for the decisions you've made?"
"Stop trying to turn this back on me. I did what I had to do." Buffy said.
"You keep telling yourself that. Do you even care what the rest of us went through when you left? Or are too damn selfish to worry about your 'friends'?" Willow asked.
"Is that why you did this? You were mad at me so you decided to turn everyone against me? How childish can you be!"
Willow threw her hands up in the air. "I give up. There's no getting through to you, is there? You just keep hearing what you want to hear. Why bother showing up tomorrow? You seem to have all the answers."
"I won't let you get away with this. I'll show everyone how you manipulated this whole thing, and then we'll see who they believe."
"You never should've come back, Buffy." Willow said softly.
"Getting scared? I'll get back everything that is mine......everything." Buffy said, with a meaningful glance at Angel.
"He's not yours, Buffy."
"He's always been mine. But, exactly how long have you been lusting after him, hhhmm? How long have you been lying to me? And how long do you think you'll be able to keep him now that I'm back?" Buffy asked smugly.
Willow shook her head. Angel walked up behind her, gripping her by the shoulders. "I told you before to leave, Buffy. Don't make me ask you again."
Buffy grabbed her jacket, but stopped in front of Willow. "This isn't over. Enjoy it while you can, Willow. You'll be the one on the outside looking in before I'm done with you."
Willow watched Buffy slam out of the apartment. She leaned back against Angel, comforted by the feeling of his arms around her. It seemed like a lifetime ago that she and Buffy had been best friends. Now she knew they'd never be friends again.
"I'm going to call Xander and Giles. Let them know what's going on."
Willow nodded, then crawled back into bed. She bunched the pillow under her head, and pulled the blanket up to her chin. The day Buffy left Sunnydale was a day that had changed her life forever. All of her dreams had died that day.....replaced with reality. Willow felt Angel get into bed, and didn't resist when he pulled her back against him. She gripped his hand tightly.
"I can't lose you, Angel. That's the one thing I couldn't handle."
Angel brought Willow tighter against his body. Willow was stronger now then she'd been when he'd first met her, and she'd had to become tougher in the last few years. Tragedy and broken dreams had forced her to grow up quickly, but there was still a vulnerable side to her.
"I'm not going anywhere. You and I have been through too much together. You better get used to me hanging around, 'cause you're not getting rid of me anytime soon."
"I love you, Angel." Willow whispered.
"I love you, too."
The couple snuggled together, gathering strength from each other. They had survived everything that the Hellmouth....and Hell.....had thrown at them. They'd survive the arrival of Buffy Summers.
End Part 6
Giles sat in the recliner, wearing only his black pajama bottems. He hadn't been able to sleep much, thoughts of Buffy's return had made it impossible. Angel's call had only confirmed what they already knew......Buffy wanted Angel back. What had surprised Giles was Buffy's accusations against Willow. He couldn't believe that Buffy actually thought that Willow had deliberately set out to hurt her. Buffy's comments made it clear that she didn't believe she'd done anything wrong. And her lack of concern over what had happened to all of them the past years was evident as well. She was curious, but that was all. Buffy wanted them to feel sorry for her, for the life she'd lived since she left. Giles knew she never once considered that her troubles, whatever they may be, were no comparison to the things he and the others had survived.
"Are you okay?"
Giles looked up to see Faith standing in the doorway, wearing his pajama top. He held out his hand to her, and Faith took it. Sitting on his lap, she leaned against him.
"Just thinking." Giles replied.
"About Buffy, right?"
Giles nodded. When Faith had arrived, he'd made sure she knew all about Buffy---both as a Slayer and a friend. He'd been skeptical of Faith's abilities when she came to town, but she had proven herself. She had quickly earned his respect. And although it took longer, she had won over the others too. Her willingness to work with them earned her their respect. Faith acknowledged the hard work they'd all done for the year before she arrived. She didn't talk down to them, but regarded them as equals. And eventually she had earned their friendship also.
"How's Willow handling this?"
"I don't know, Angel didn't say much about it. Before Angelus returned, Buffy and Angel had a pretty intense relationship. His return ended the relationship abruptly.......there was no closure for Buffy. And since Angel's been back, he's had no closure either. Willow knows all of this, she saw their relationship and the aftermath of Angelus' return. She's bound to be feeling a bit insecure. I know I would be under similar circumstances." Giles said.
"You don't think Angel would go back to Buffy, do you?"
"I'm not sure. Buffy's part of his past, but even though he's angry with her, there's bound to be some kind of feelings left. What those feelings are I don't know. I'm not exactly an expert at relationships. But the relationship he's built with Willow is strong. They've been through a lot together. I don't think anyone knows what will happen there.......especially Angel." Giles answered.
They sat together and tried not to dwell on Buffy or what her arrival meant to all of them. Giles wasn't looking forward to the meeting that night. Buffy would be facing the whole group, armed with her misconceptions and ideas of how things should be.......and a desire to get Angel back.
"Are you going to tell her everything that's happened since she left?" Faith asked.
Giles thought over the events of the past four years. The broken dreams that had turned to cruel reality, the deaths that had shaken them all, the close calls that had united them, the loves lost and new loves found, and the battles they'd fought. Would Buffy even want to know about these things? Or would she continue looking at the world through rose-colored glasses?
"We'll have to wait and see. I have a feeling her main focus is going to be Angel. Any curiousity she had before will be pushed aside now that she knows Angel's alive."
"She doesn't deserve to know how he got back. It's none of her business." Faith said angrily.
"I know, but that's not our story to tell. Willow and Angel will have to decide how much to tell Buffy."
"I wouldn't blame Willow if she decided not to show up tonight. Especially after Buffy's accusations."
"She'll be there, even though she would rather be anywhere else. Facing Buffy is going to be hard on all of us. She was very close to us once, then she turned her back and walked away. Everyone's feelings are going to be jumbled, and we're going to need each other's support."
"Why couldn't Buffy have just left like you told her?" Faith asked as she led Giles back to bed.
"Stubbornness......she wants things her way, and won't let anything or anyone stand in the way of getting what she wants."
As they laid in bed, Giles knew that any slim chance Buffy had of once again being accepted in the group was destroyed by her visit to Angel and Willow. Her accusations against Willow, and her determination to get Angel back had killed any hopes she had of regaining the things she'd lost.
Giles had been afraid that Buffy would try to turn their lives into a contest between her and Faith. He'd been partly right, but it wasn't Faith that she'd chosen as an opponent. Well, Buffy would learn that despite what she believed, there was no contest. Willow had everyone's love and support, and that wasn't going to change just because Buffy came back. Buffy would learn soon enough that she'd lost before her game ever began.
End Part 7
Xander stood looking out the window of his apartment. He had been trying hard to get control of the rage he was feeling. Seeing Buffy again had brought back all of the pain she'd caused. How dare she think she could just walk back into their lives like nothing happened? Four years ago she'd been one of his best friends, but now he couldn't stand the sight of her. As far as he was concerned, everything that had happened was her fault. If she hadn't run away, Cordelia and Oz would still be alive. After nearly three and a half years, the pain of losing Cordelia was still strong.
Amy stood in the doorway watching Xander. She hated seeing him in pain. Buffy's sudden arrival had reopened old wounds, and it wasn't over yet. Amy knew that Xander still thought about Cordelia, and what might have been. But, she loved him, and would stand by his side, just like she had been since they graduated. She'd been by his side when they'd found Cordelia......and when they'd nearly lost Willow. Tears came to her eyes as she thought of the boy he was when she first met him. In high school he'd been a goofball. But, now he wasn't that boy anymore. He'd grown into a strong, hard man who had built a wall around his emotions. And there were only a handful of people he allowed beyond that wall. Amy knew that Buffy Summers would never be allowed inside. The love and friendship Xander had felt for Buffy had died with Cordelia. Amy slowly walked behind Xander and slipped her arms around his waist, then leaned her head against his back. Xander didn't respond at first, but finally put his hands over hers.
"Want to talk about it?" Amy asked.
"Nothing to talk about."
"Now you're starting to sound like Angel. What is it with you two and the one sentence answers?" Amy asked, hoping to relieve some of the tension from Xander's body.
"I've become a man of few words. One of the better habits I've picked up from dead-boy."
Amy smiled slightly at the use of Xander's nickname for Angel. Although they had never been friends to start with, Xander and Angel had become close in the last few years. At first it was their concern for Willow that had made them work together, but they grew to respect and even like each other. And for the first time since Jesse had died, Xander had a close male buddy.
"Xander, what's going to happen now? I mean with Buffy." Amy asked.
"I don't know. The sooner she gets the hell out of town the better I'll like it."
"But......what about Angel?"
"He won't go back to Buffy." Xander answered confidently.
Amy nodded, but couldn't stop the tears that fell. Xander turned when he heard Amy's silent intake of breath. He tilted her head up and saw the tears.
"What's the matter?"
"I'm scared. Scared that Buffy is going to succeed where the evils of the Hellmouth have failed."
"Succeed at what?" Xander asked.
"Tearing us all apart." Amy whispered.
Xander pulled Amy against him. The witch had come to mean a lot to him in the last couple years, but he didn't know if it was love. Hell, he didn't know if he was even capable of loving again. But, Amy had been there for him when he needed her, and he cared about her.
"Buffy's not going to do anything to us. We all know what her game is, and we'll deal with her the same way we've dealt with everything else in the past. As a group. The six of us have been through too much together to let someone like Buffy come between us. I have no doubt that she'll try, but she'll fail."
"Are you going to tell her about Cordelia and Oz? How they died." Amy asked.
Xander let go of Amy and turned back to the window. "I don't know. Knowing the details of how they died may hurt her, but it would hurt me too. And Willow......I don't want us reliving their deaths."
"I'm sorry.....I shouldn't have brought it up."
But Amy knew that Xander no longer heard her. His mind was now far away from her.....reliving the night Cordelia died. Finding her battered body, covered in blood, which had been left as a message for the Slayer. A Slayer that had walked out of their lives six months earlier. Her death had been a blow to Xander, changing him. Xander had been holding on to the belief that Buffy would return and everything would go back to the way it had been, but Cordelia's death had changed that. He no longer wanted the Slayer to come back. And Oz's death, two months after Cordelia's, which was another message to the missing Slayer, had only added to his anger. Anger at a friend who had abandoned them all.
Amy backed away, and walked back to the bedroom. She knew Xander wanted to be alone. He needed the time to himself, to mentally prepare himself to face his former friend. To try to control the anger that he felt towards the woman who had destroyed his life.
And tonight when they all met face to face, Amy would be by Xander's side. Giving him her love and support, even though she knew he couldn't return her feelings.
End Part 8
Buffy walked slowly to the library. She had decided to show up early....and unannounced. Since it was the middle of the afternoon, hopefully she'd find Giles alone. As she approached the doors, Buffy heard voices coming from inside. Peeking in she saw that Giles was talking to Xander, Amy, Faith, and Willow. Although she could only make out bits of their conversation, it sounded like they were making plans for the night's slaying activities. Watching them, Buffy realized something. If Willow was at the library, that meant Angel was alone. It would be the perfect time for them to talk. Buffy turned and headed to Angel's.
"Alright, it's decided. Since the matter with Buffy doesn't directly affect you at this time, Faith and Amy will take patrol tonight. Hopefully we can get through this quickly and be able to join you both later. Do you think you can handle things alone?" Giles asked.
This would be the first time that the whole group hadn't gone out together. Giles was a little concerned about Faith and Amy being alone. Even though both of the women could take care of themselves, he'd feel better if the rest of them were with them.
"We'll be fine. You know it's been pretty quiet lately. Besides, if we run into trouble, we'll come and get you guys." Faith said reassuredly.
"Alright, but don't take any unnecessary chances."
The group broke up and began researching. Giles still wasn't convinced about sending Amy and Faith out alone. He wished they could just put off the confrontation with Buffy, but he realized that wasn't an option. They needed to get everything out in the open.
Buffy knocked on the door and waited. She was determined to make Angel realize that they belonged together. Time alone is all she needed to remind him of the love they shared.
Angel answered the door, wearing faded jeans and a t-shirt. "What are you doing back here?"
Buffy pushed past the startled vampire. Closing the door, he turned toward her. "I thought I made it clear that you're not welcomed here."
"Angel, please. We need to talk. I know Willow's at the library, so this is the perfect time for us to talk privately." Buffy pleaded.
"We have nothing to say to each other."
Angel turned his back on Buffy, but she walked up behind him. She was determined to make him listen to her. "Angel, can you honestly tell me that the feelings you had for me are gone?"
"What we had is in the past.......leave it there." Angel replied.
"I can't do that. Our love didn't die, it was just interrupted. But now fate's given us a second chance to be together."
Angel kept silent, not moving a muscle. Buffy reached out and touched Angel's back. She was pleased when he didn't try to move away from her touch.
"I don't pretend to understand your relationship with Willow. But my feelings for you are just as strong as they were four years ago, and I think yours are too." Buffy said.
"You sent me to Hell, Buffy! Do you remember that?" Angel asked angrily.
"God, Angel, I know that. Don't you think I've relived that awful moment over and over again? I did what I thought I had to do at the time, even though it almost killed me."
Buffy moved her hands to Angel's shoulders and began massaging them. She smiled to herself as Angel's head bent forward. Buffy knew she was getting through to him.
"Angel, I know you're angry with me. And I know it won't be easy, but we can make it work."
"Make what work?" Angel asked.
"Us."
Buffy turned Angel to face her, and wrapped her arms around his neck. She pulled him down to her kiss. Angel resisted at first, but then wrapped his arms around Buffy's waist, pulling her tightly against him. Buffy moved her hands to his waist, breaking the kiss only long enough to pull off his shirt. Her hands moved over his naked chest, reacquainting herself with her lover's body. It had been so long since she'd been in his arms.......too long.
Angel removed Buffy's blouse, then lifted her into his arms. He carried her to the bed, dropping her gently then covering her with his own body. Their hands moved hungrily over each other.
Buffy was in heaven. She was back in Angel's arms.......where she belonged. And she'd never let him go again. It was their destiny to be together, and she wouldn't let anyone come between them. Then all thoughts left her as Angel's hands moved down to her pants.
End Part 9