DestinyBy PSUBrat
Calm Before the Storm
In the quiet darkness of the Summers' backyard, a lone figure paced back and forth along the fence. Once Xander had disappeared back inside, Angel had resumed his brooding and was now engaging in deep thoughts of his current situation. When had things become so complicated? Back in Los Angeles everything had been fine, simple even. Back there he knew that he loved Cordy and that she loved him. For three years he had been able to distance himself from Buffy and to make a new life, a life that now included good friends and a purpose other than looking after the Slayer. He was making a difference and saving lives, the champion of the Powers That Be. But here, here he was Angel again, Buffy's Angel and a part of him hummed whenever he was close to her. Maybe that would never change. Maybe it would just serve as a reminder to him of what they once had. Pausing for a moment, he looked up at the stars as if looking for the answers to his dilemma. The stars twinkled back at him but offered no solutions.
"They won't tell you anything," Cordelia sighed as she looked up at the stars herself. "Unless of course you're channeling Drusilla."
"Cordy, when did you come out?" He asked a bit startled that he hadn't sensed her. Had he been that lost in his thoughts?
"Oh, about five minutes ago."
"I see." He didn't know how to start, where to begin. All he knew was that he wanted to keep this woman in his life and not just as his friend and confidant. "I was just thinking..."
"So was I. Actually, I just talked to Buffy."
Suddenly he felt very nervous, something that didn't happen to him all that often. "You were talking to Buffy?" He watched as she slowly meandered around the bench towards him.
"Mmmhmm."
"What did you guys talk about?"
"You. Duh."
"Cordy listen, I'm really..."
"Stop."
"But I..."
"I said stop. I don't want to hear excuses," she stated as she spun around, her back now facing him. "All I want to know is what are you going to do about this?"
Angel looked down at his feet and shoved his hands in his coat pocket. Xander had been right about one thing; he shouldn't wait to tell her how he felt, especially with the uncertainty of tomorrow. "Cordy..."
"Yes?" She demanded folding her arms across her chest, waiting for his declaration of love. "I'm listening."
Slowly he walked over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Please look at me." Once she had turned to face him, he continued. "Cordy, I know that I haven't done the right thing or said the right thing since Dawn showed up in L.A...."
"You think?"
"Please. Let me finish. I realize I've messed up. Yes, I do love Buffy...now wait, don't start walking away, I'm not done!"
"Well then I suggest you wrap this up pretty darn quick mister because you're not scoring any brownie points here."
"I know. I'm sorry. As I was saying, I do love Buffy but I've come to realize something else."
"And that is?"
"I love you too."
***
Inside the Summers' home, the only lights burning in the night came from the dining room. William, Wesley, Gunn, Xander and Buffy sat around the table and were diligently thumbing through musty, old books and scrolls, looking for a way to stop the Master before he could ascend. So far, they had found nothing - not even a hint - of how to stop the Last Judgment.
Xander threw his book down on the table and sighed. "Okay, anyone else feeling like their eyes are permanently crossed?"
"Yeah. I'm right there with ya bro," Gunn stated as he tried to stifle a yawn.
Buffy stretched and closed her book. "I really don't think we're getting anywhere with this. Maybe we should take a break and get some rest."
"Not a bad idea Buffy," Wesley sighed. "We'll be of no use if we're falling asleep at the Master's feet instead of killing him."
"William and I will take the cots in the basement. Why don't the rest of you find a spot on the living room floor. I know it's not the most comfortable..."
"Buff, I could care less where I sleep right now," Xander explained. "I'm just too damn tired to care."
"Don't forget the couch opens up into a bed," William added as he watched Anya walk into the room.
"We'll take that," Anya declared. "You may not mind the floor Xander, but I need my rest and on a nice comfortable mattress."
Xander looked at his girlfriend and blinked hard, then looked back over at Buffy apologetically.
"It's okay Xander," Buffy laughed. "You and Anya can have the couch, if no one is presently sleeping on it."
Anya gave Buffy a bright smile. "Oh and Buffy, I just put Steven's...I mean Connor's clothing in the washer. I figured he'd want some nice clean clothing for when we face the Master."
"Uh. Okay Anya," Buffy stated with a frown. Even after knowing her for years, she still thought Anya was one strange person. "Thanks."
"You're welcome. Come on Xander. Let's go get the couch." She grabbed his hand and tugged hard. Once he was on his feet he allowed her to guide him into the living room.
"I don't know how he does it," Gunn said, shaking his head in amazement.
"I think we all just deal now," Buffy replied with a smile. "Anya's not so bad. She's just, different."
"I'll say. Anyway, I'm off to snuggle up next to my woman on the floor...and Wes?"
"Yes Gunn?"
"Could you please do something about the bitch from hell? It's one thing for us to be awake and have her sitting in there all tied up safely, but it's another thing to have us all sleeping and her get loose. Know what I mean?"
"Yes Gunn. Rest assured; I will do something about Lilah."
"Thanks English. Night all."
"Night Gunn," Buffy said through a yawn.
William glanced over at Buffy to make sure she was holding up as well as she made it look. She looked okay but he knew she was probably itching to go after the Master. "Wesley, will you be alright with taking care of Lilah by yourself?"
"I can handle Lilah," Wesley stated matter of factly. "I'm quite capable..."
"Okay. Good. I'm going to take my slayer to bed now. She needs her rest."
Wesley watched the electricity leap between the slayer and her watcher. "Yes, I'm quite certain she does." He watched as William picked up Buffy in his arms and carried her through the kitchen door towards the basement. He just hoped that the two of them would at least try to keep the noise level down with the others in the house trying to sleep. Somehow, he didn't think they'd be that lucky.
***
"Okay. So you love me," Cordelia retorted, not giving him one bit of an edge in this argument. She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. "How do you love me Angel?"
"How? What do you mean how?" He was startled by her tone and her attitude. He had just bared his soul to her. How could she question what he just said?
"I mean do you love me as a friend, as a sister, as a lover? How do you love me?" She asked, enunciating every syllable as she spoke.
He cocked his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. "I love you, isn't that enough?"
"Frankly, no it's not, Angel. I want you to stop being Mr. Broody and just say what you feel for once. I'm tired of the quips and the cryptic messages. I'll ask you one more time, how do you love me?"
"Cordy..." he frowned, not sure of how to proceed, especially with her current mood and state of mind.
"I'm waiting Angel. Now spill or I'm walking away."
"First of all, you can't walk away. Not with the Last Judgment. We're involved in this together."
"Fine. Then I'll leave after."
"Cordy, stop being like this. I've already told you that I love you..."
She crossed her arms and glared at him, refusing to back down from her question.
Angel sighed. "Alright. You've got me. I love you as the person I want to spend the rest of time with. I couldn't bear the thought of my life without you."
"I know," she stated with a bright, beaming smile.
"What? What do you mean you know?" Angel demanded, taking a step towards her with a shocked look on his face.
"I know. I just wanted to make you say it, make you work for it."
He snorted and shook his head. "Are you happy?"
"Yes," she declared as she threw her arms around him and kissed him fiercely. "Now let's go inside, check on Connor and get some sleep."
"You're amazing."
Flashing him that same smile, she stated, "I know. Now come on." She intertwined her fingers in his and led him back towards the house.
***
William carried Buffy down the basement steps with ease, his gaze never leaving hers. Lucky for them, no one else caught on to the fact that there was plenty of room down there, and quite a few mattresses as well if he remembered correctly. He knew that Buffy'd had Xander bring her old mattress down to the basement after Warren had destroyed the front half of the house. It was still in good enough shape to be used in case of emergencies, like the Summers' home being fully packed, such as it was tonight. As he gently placed her on her feet and turned on the lights, a harsh white light surrounded them. At first he noticed that the room was a typical basement; full of junk and pipes but then he saw that part of the room had been closed off, a door now standing between them and the other side.
He looked at Buffy in puzzlement and then slowly opened the door, stepping into the darkness. He waited on the other side of the doorway as she flipped on the light. As the soft overhead lights flickered to life, he saw that he was now standing inside a newly created den.
"Do you like it?" She asked with a smile. Whenever she and Dawn hadn't been training or patrolling, they were down here working on making a part of the room look livable, a place where everyone could hang out and relax.
"Buffy it's amazing. Did Xander do this for you?"
"Yeah, for the most part. He did the electrical stuff and the dry wall. Dawn and I did the decorating. We thought maybe it would be a good place to hang out eventually, rather than at the Magic Box. Only Dawn, Xander and I know about it. I wanted to surprise everyone when it was finished and the TV was delivered, but now I guess there's no use in keeping it quiet what with the apocalypse on its way."
"Luv, this is absolutely incredible."
"The sofa down here pulls out into a couch as well. We really spared no expense."
He had noticed. Quickly he walked to the couch, threw the cushions aside and pulled out the bed. The sheets were already on it, just waiting to be used. He had to grin, Dawn must have done this, the Bit thinks of everything. Then he took notice of the candles sitting on the shelves. "Well, well, well. What have we here? Everything needed to make a romantic evening." If this was to be their last night together, then he wanted it to be special.
Buffy laughed at his child-like glee. Had she known that the den would have made him happy, she would have brought him down here sooner. "Somehow I don't think Dawn had this in mind when she bought those."
"That's okay," he stated with a mischievous grin. "No need for the Bit to find out what we're using them for, now is there?" After lighting the candles with his lighter, he turned off the lights and beckoned for Buffy to join him.
***
Wesley stood and stretched. It was time for him to take care of the Lilah problem. He had known it was inevitable and had been dreading it all evening. Despite the fact that he had engaged in a relationship with her under ulterior motives, he had developed feelings for her along the way. Perhaps if it had been a different time, a different place, things could have worked out differently for them. Closing his eyes, he slowly shook his head. How had he allowed himself to become this deeply entangled with her and why had he enjoyed his walk on the dark side so much? He knew he'd never have the answers to his questions; all he knew was that he had to get Lilah out of the house and away from Sunnydale.
"Hey Wes?" Angel asked from the bottom of the stairs. "Have you seen Connor? Cordy and I have been looking for him but he's not in the living room."
"Hmm? Oh. No. I'm sorry I haven't, not since he went upstairs for a shower. I'm sure he's fine. Perhaps you should ask Anya..."
"She's sleeping. I'll just go up and check for him up there."
Wesley nodded his response to his former friend but said no more, despite the fact that he could sense that Angel wanted to talk to him. He had nothing more to say. No more apologies. No more anything. He was out of words. Excusing himself from Angel's presence, he made his way into the living room, carefully picking a path through the sleeping forms on the floor. He took notice of the fact that they had moved Lilah to a back corner of the room, to make more space for themselves. He stopped to watch her. It appeared as if she was sleeping, but he knew better. When you're sleeping with the enemy you tend to pick up on certain things. He quietly stepped in front of her and waited for her to acknowledge his presence, but she continued to keep her eyes closed.
"Lilah. I know you're awake."
Slowly she opened her eyes to look at him, a sly smile playing across her lips. "I can't fool you, can I?"
He studied her face intently, looking for anything to make his feelings for her turn cold but he could find nothing. The knot in his stomach began to pull tighter.
"What? Do I have something on my face? I'd check but I can't since I'm all tied up. You know, we should have tried ropes. I bet we could have had a lot of fun..."
Instantly he was over her, kissing her passionately to stop her incessant prattling. He was surprised when she responded just as arduously. For several moments they were oblivious of their surroundings, lost only in themselves. Ever so slowly, Wesley broke the kiss but didn't back away, instead resting his forehead to hers. "I'm going to untie you and then I'm going to walk you to the car. I want you to leave Sunnydale immediately. Do you understand?" He could feel her nodding in agreement. "Good," he stated as he proceeded to free her of her bonds. As soon as he was finished, he grabbed her hand and led her out the back door into the night.
***
Buffy giggled like a schoolgirl as she approached William's outstretched hand. All thoughts of the Master and the world ending were lost as soon as he pulled her into a tight embrace. For just one more night, a stolen moment in time, she wanted to know happiness and to forget about everything else around her. She sighed contentedly as he wrapped his arms around her and began kissing her neck. This was so different than what they had been through the previous year, but their emotions, especially his, were the same. Despite telling herself that she had been using him to feel again, she knew deep down that she wanted to be in his bed, in his arms and in his heart. Yes, she knew he had been the slayer of Slayers and that he had been a monster, once upon a time but now, now he was just William...the man that she loved.
She shuddered as he nibbled at her ear and nipped at her neck, every synapse in her body firing as his roving hands explored her, finding skin under her sweatshirt. She moaned softly as he caressed her back with his fingers, such strong, wonderful fingers. Slowly she undid the buttons of his shirt while she kissed him fervently. She needed to feel his skin against her body and she knew he felt the same way because he broke off the kiss just long enough to remove her sweatshirt. As she kissed his chest and moved her hands up his strong arms, he pulled her closer to him, his hands trying to find the clasp to her bra. Once he removed the lacey bit of clothing standing between him her breasts, it was like a flurry of hands and mouths exploring and tasting skin that was hot and flush.
Suddenly, she felt as if she were floating. He had picked her up and was now carrying her to the makeshift bed, his face buried in her hair, breathing in the rich scent of vanilla. The next few moments felt like a blur to her. One minute they were on top of the covers kissing and fondling and the next they were naked and barely covered by the sheets, hands and mouths still anxiously covering every inch of flesh possible. So many sensations; she felt as if she could explode at any moment.
"Spike, I love you," she whispered to him as he began to tenderly kiss her breasts.
He stopped his ministrations to look into her eyes. "I love you too Buffy, more than anything or anyone I've ever known. You are my everything. My whole reason for being."
She was so overwhelmed by his words, that she felt like she was going to start crying right then and there.
Slowly he moved up her body to capture her lips in his. He could see the tears forming in her eyes and he wanted to stop them before they started. Whatever else might happen to them, whatever it was that they had been to each other in the past, tonight they were together as one heart.
The kiss became more intense as their need for one another continued to grow. Finally they could fight it no more; she needed him in her, filling her with his love. As she began to guide him to her, there was a knock at the door. Before they could even answer, the door opened and Angel burst in.
***
"Do you really think it's such a great idea that you walk me to the Magic Box?" Lilah asked as they slowly walked along the street.
"I believe we'll be fine as long as we keep our wits about us," Wesley replied. "Besides, if I'm correct, the Master will want me alive for tomorrow evening."
"You know I could kill you right now, on the spot, don't you?"
"Yes. I know."
"And you do know that Wolfram & Hart will make your life a living hell now, don't you?
"Lilah your threats do not worry me, especially in light of what the group and I are about to go through. So please do shut up if you have nothing constructive to say."
She was about to make a stinging retort, then thought twice about it and closed her mouth. He was right. She and the firm couldn't do anything more horrendous to him then what he was about to go through. Suddenly she felt cold. And alone. She folded her arms across her chest and continued to walk beside him.
"Are you cold?" He asked as he watched her huddle into herself.
"A little," she replied quietly.
"Here," he stated flatly, taking off his jacket and handing it to her. "Take this. You can give it back to me when we get to the car."
"Thanks," she said as they slowed down their pace so she could put on the jacket. Leave it to Wesley to be so damned cavalier in the face of impending doom. She wanted to yell at him, to shake him, god even to torture him for betraying her the way he did but there was also a part of her that admired his courage to do so. She thought they were even more alike now than ever before. Not that he was ever going to admit that.
Wesley shoved his hands into his pants pockets, picking up the pace. The sooner he got her to the car, the sooner he could get back to the house to do more research. He doubted very much if he would get any rest tonight. It felt as if the answer to destroying the Master and preventing the Last Judgment was right there within his grasp, if he could just concentrate enough...
***
"Buffy I just wanted to..." Angel stopped short and his eyes widened at the sight of his former lover and her boyfriend, getting ready to do the deed. He felt like a deer caught in the headlights. "I'm...I'm sorry," he stammered as he tried to turn his back to them but found he couldn't.
"Ever hear of waiting for a response, mate?" William growled.
Buffy blushed as she sat up, making sure the sheet didn't expose any more of herself to Angel's eyes. She threw William a glance that told him to be quiet that they would get back to business as soon as Angel left. "What the hell do you want Angel?" She demanded, as she glared at her former lover. How dare he interrupt them, especially since she knew he had vampiric hearing and could probably hear what was going on behind the door. Then it struck her; there must have been a reason for him to come down here looking for her. Maybe something had happened upstairs...maybe something had happened to Dawn! "Is Dawn okay?" She pleaded when he didn't answer her right away.
"I'm sure things are fine Luv," William retorted. "The poofter here just wanted to get a free peek at what he can't have anymore, isn't that right Peaches?" He asked with a smug smirk.
Finally Angel gathered his thoughts and himself back together, enough so that he could turn around. "Dawn's fine. I-I just wanted to let you know that Connor is sleeping upstairs in bed with Dawn."
"He's what?" William roared, almost leaping out of bed but failing only because Buffy placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Angel?" Cordelia's voice called down the stairs. "Are you down there?"
Angel heard her but didn't answer. At the moment he was trying to calm down a very irate Spike. "Calm down Spike. Connor's on top of the covers and Dawn's under them. Nothing is happening."
"There you are," Cordelia stated as she entered the room. "I know you heard me so why didn't you...? Oh. Oh my." She turned her back on the nude couple that was covered only by a sheet.
William ignored Cordelia's entrance. "Damn right there better not be anything happening. I'll kill him myself if he touches her!"
"Spike, relax," Buffy stated, not realizing the sheet had somewhat fallen away from her chest. "If Angel says there's nothing going on, then there's nothing going on. No harm in letting them sleep together like that..." She put up her hand to stop his retort. "Under normal circumstances, there's no way I would permit this but Spike, we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. Let them sleep in each other's arms...just tonight."
William cocked his head to the side and studied her face. She was so beautiful in the candlelight. Then again, she was beautiful under any light. "When did you become such a romantic?" He asked her as he cupped her cheek in his hand.
She smiled warmly at him. "When I let myself love you."
He leaned in and kissed her gently at first but then more passionately as she responded. Suddenly, Angel clearing his throat interrupted them.
"Sorry Angel," Buffy stated as she blushed again. "Thanks for letting us know. Just let them be but keep Dawn's door open. She knows that's the rule when she has friends over."
"Spike," Cordelia stated reassuringly, still trying not to look directly at the couple. "If it makes you feel any better, Angel and I can sleep on the floor in her room. Just to keep an eye on things. Right Angel?"
Angel nodded his agreement.
"That would be great Cordelia," Buffy responded. "Will that make you feel better Spike?"
William eyed Cordelia and Angel for a moment and then sighed. "Yeah. It'll ease my mind. Thanks."
"You're welcome. Come on Angel. Let's let these two lovebirds alone. We've taken up enough of their time." She tugged on his arm to get him moving.
Angel hesitated a moment before letting Cordelia pull him through the door. "Uhm. I'm sorry that I...umm...interrupted."
"It's okay mate," William replied with a grin. "Just make sure you lock the door on your way out, so that we're not disturbed again." He saw Angel stiffen at the request and smiled to himself in triumph. Next time the bloody poofter would think twice about just barging in on them.
"Sure."
"Thanks Angel. Thanks Cordelia," Buffy stated as they reached the door. "Get some sleep."
"We will," Cordelia answered back. "See you in the morning"
"Goodnight."
As soon as he heard the door click closed behind the vampire and the cheerleader, William picked up where they had left off, trailing kisses from her throat down to her stomach. He grinned as she twitched beneath him, knowing that she wanted more but making her wait.
She moaned softly in pleasure as he continued to use his mouth and tongue in places that sent colors bursting behind her closed eyes. "Please, Spike," she panted. "Please. I need you."
"I'm right here, pet," he whispered into her ear as he gently slipped his length into her moist, hot core. "I'll never leave you. I promise."
Their rhythm was nothing like the soft, gentleness of last night. This rhythm was more desperate and needy, two people coming together to find comfort in one another, both knowing that time was closing in on them. He stroked her deeply as she clung to him, panting and whimpering his name over and over again in his ear. Soon the tempo of their movement exploded into a crescendo of shudders and moans, each wondering if there was anything in existence sweeter than this act of coming together.
Soon after coming down from their high, William rolled onto his side, spooning the love of his life, knowing beyond belief that this was what he was meant for, what he had been born for. He nuzzled her neck and held her tight as they drifted off into a deep sleep.
***
"Wesley?" Lilah demanded again, this time shaking his arm to bring him out of his reverie.
"What?"
"We're here."
He took in his surroundings. Somehow they had gotten to the Magic Box in record time; either that or he had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he hadn't been aware of his pace. "Indeed." Absently, he unlocked the car for her and opened the passenger door, waiting for her to climb in.
They stood quietly, eyeing one another, like a first date - both not knowing what to say. Finally, Lilah broke the silence. "Thanks for walking me to the...okay, that just sounds lame." She began to laugh softly.
Wesley snorted and smiled. "Yes. That was a bit on the lame side. Perhaps we shouldn't mess this up anymore than it already is by talking."
"Yeah, maybe you're right." She looked down at her feet as she leaned her back against the side of the car. "Don't go getting killed," she stated, pausing and watching Wes intently. As his steel blue eyes met her gaze, she smirked. "That's my job."
"Right," he stated dryly. "I'll make sure that I won't get killed because you've reserved that right."
"I'm serious," she said, her tone and face expressing the truth to her statement as his eyes bored through her, making her shudder. "Do you think...?"
"Perhaps another time, another place...maybe."
"Yeah. Maybe," she mussed as she stepped forward and kissed him fully on the mouth.
Only after a sound from the alley startled them, did they pull away from the kiss. She watched him tense as he looked around for the cause of the noise.
Gently he guided her into the passenger seat. "We need to go." After closing her door, he walked around the front of the car and climbed into the driver's seat. "I'll drive us back to Buffy's but then you must leave immediately once I'm inside."
She nodded her response.
They drove in silence for the ten minutes that it took to get to the Summers' home, each absorbed in their own thoughts and fears.
"Get as far away from here as possible, Lilah, and don't look back."
"If I didn't know better," she started with a grin. "I'd say you actually care for me Wesley Wyndham-Pryce."
He turned to her, his eyes again drilling into her core. "What makes you think I don't?"
She narrowed her eyes and frowned as his response sunk in. Before she had time to respond, he kissed her hard. Soon clothing was torn and rumpled and she found herself on his lap, straddling him. It was a good thing that he owned a spacious SUV, otherwise she would have felt like she was back in high school and doing it outside of her parents' home in her Ford Escort.
The car windows began to fog as their passion took over. Fifteen minutes later, sweaty and spent, Wesley sighed and ran his hands down her back. "If there's anything we can do well together, it's this."
"Mmm. I agree."
He pushed her up so that he could look her in the eyes. "Please take care of yourself."
"You too," she said with a frown. Slowly she removed herself from his lap, making a show of gathering her clothing so as to hide the fear on her face.
Quietly he pulled himself together and opened the door. Once he had her attention again, he threw the keys at her. "Goodbye, Lilah."
She caught the keys in mid air. "Goodbye, Wesley."
He walked around the car and stood on the sidewalk to watch her leave. After she had driven out of sight, he unhurriedly made his way back into the house to join the others who were already asleep.