I am moved by fancies that are curled
Around these images; and cling:
The notion of some infinitely gentle
Inifintely suffering thing.
- T S Eliot, Preludes
The mansion was utterly quiet and the only movements in
the living room was Angel's hand casually caressing Willow's back as she
slept with her head pillowed on his chest, and the casually flick of Faith's
hand as she turned the page in the book she was reading. Just then Oz-wolf
let out a warning howl, but the group in
the living didn't move; they remained in there positions
even as the mansions front door creaked open slowly and Buffy crept inside.
She walked stealthly over to the couch and raised her stake, ready to bring
it down into Willow's heart.
"Wouldn't that, B," Faith commented, not looking up from her book; Buffy's arm fell in a downward arc just as Angel raised his hand and captured her wrist, halting her attack. "Warned ya."
"Buffy," Angel greeted cooly.
"Angelus," Buffy hissed in reply, anger and pain lacing through her words.
"Faith," Angel stated, motioning with his eyes for the brunette to check on Oz.
"Right," she grinned, walking past Buffy and nudging the blonde in the shoulder. "Hope you don't plan on seducing Fang," she grinned. "I'd hate to play clean-up crew."
"I'll kill him before he touches me," Buffy growled.
"Oh, it's not him I'm worried about. Red's got a mean streak," Faith laughed before heading towards the garden and Oz.
"What do you want, Buffy?" Angel asked, one hand still holding her in place, the other hand still gently rubbing Willow's back.
"To kill you," she snapped. Angel laughed sharply and pushed her away from him. She impacted hard with the chair opposite the couch.
"Jealousy is so unbecoming on you, Buff," he smirked.
"You bastard," she hissed, "You turned my best friend."
"Really?" Angel looked down at the sleeping redhead. "Hmmm, seems to me, you haven't been a friend to Willow since I came back."
"You took her away from me."
"No, Buff, I didn't. You have the honor of pushing her away from your little group, and it is all yours, Xander's, Giles', and Cordelia's honor."
"You turned her," Buffy stated defiantly.
"God," Angel rolled his eyes. "Were you born stupid or did it just take a lot of practice?"
"I'm going to kill you."
"Use your Slayer sense, Buff," he growled in warning as she rose to her feet. "How many vampires to you feel in this room?" Buffy's eyes narrowed.
"One," she finally admitted. "But you're still evil."
"Please." He sighed, snarling softly. "Do you think for a second you'd still be alive if I didn't have a soul?"
"You are obsessed with me," she stated softly.
"Is that what this is about?" he snarled; he felt Willow's hands tighten around his waist, letting him know she was awake and trying to calm him down. "You're disappointed because I'm not following you around like a loyal little puppy?"
"You love me," she whispered.
"I love Willow," he stated.
"No, our love was beautiful and forever."
"No," he stated. "Our love was a mistake." Tears clouded her eyes, and she sobbed loudly.
"How can you say these things?"
"Because they are true."
"No," she shook her head. "I don't believe that. I won't allow that."
"You don't have a choice," he growled.
"I want you back," she explained.
"I don't want you, Buffy," he stated. "I have what I want." He placed a possessive hand on the back of Willow's head and stroked her hair.
"Her? What does she have to offer you? She's not beautiful; she's not sexy." Buffy walked over to the couch and leaned over, her lips close to Angel's mouth. "I am. Your soul is permanent, Angel. We can be together. We can love each other." She ducked her head, trying to kiss him, but Willow's voice suddenly rang out.
"You are trying to kiss my mate," the redhead stated calmly, staring at Buffy with cold eyes.
"Your mate?" Buffy laughed, straightening up. "Not for long, little girl."
"Get the fuck out of my house," Angel snarled; the blonde grinned.
"I'm getting to you, aren't I?"
"Leave, Buffy," Willow ordered. "You've begun to bore me." Buffy laughed again and walked to the door.
"You know where I'll be," she commented to Angel as she walked out the door. Willow waited until she was certain Buffy was gone.
"Angel?"
"I'm not going anywhere, Witch," he smiled gently.
"Good," she sighed, wiggling against him, trying to get comfortable again.
"Willow," Angel warned, her movement getting to him.
"Hmmm?" she asked. His hands slipped to the waistband of her leather pants and unbuttoned them, allowing his fingers to slide against her bare flesh.
"Willow?" he asked in surprise as he discovered her lack of undergarments.
"You told me not to wear any," she grinned; Angel laughed loudly.
"I love you, Witch."
"I know."
*FIN*