Title: Come To Play
Author: Starla
Email: starla@buffymail.com
Disclaimer: These Characters belong to Joss Whedon, except Gorlock, Alana, Adrian Townsend, and anyone else you don't recognize.
Distribution: Take it, but let me know. If you have any of my other fics, go ahead.
Author's Notes: It *will* be B/A I promise. I realise this part is a little depressing. Sorry. Season 4 did happen, Fish Boy did date Buffy, Angel went to LA, etc.
Spoilers: I dunno. Anything is possible, be warned.
Summary: 150 years after the Scooby Gang die, they return to Earth to help out the current Slayer and her Slayerettes.

Part 3


Buffy drifted back into consciousness several minutes later, fuzzy voices seeping into her mind. She tried to open her eyes, but found them shut tightly, her lids unwilling to part and let the world in.

Part of her was relieved. She knew Angel was still nearby; Could feel his soul reaching out to hers in worry.

Problem was, she knew that when she opened her eyes, he would be on the other side of the room; Alana on his arm, living his new life.

She mentally growled at herself in anger, telling herself to get over it, to stop being such a big baby.

They weren't together. He was with Alana now.

Not her.

She forced her eyes open, bracing herself for the distance between herself and Angel.

And found herself staring into his concerned brown eyes. She smiled, letting herself fall into the chocolate depths for a moment before speaking.

"Hi." She mumbled, and he sighed in relief, standing up and offering her his hand. She stared at it a moment, dreading the electricity the would come with his touch...and also yearning for it so much that it was almost too much to bear. Finally, she slipped her small hand into his big one, letting him pull her up, closing her eyes and willing herself to ignore the tingle that spread through her body.

When she opened them again, she looked around this library, properly for the first time since their arrival.

"Man, this place looks exactly the same as it did before I blew it up." She muttered, subconsciously aware that she was just distracting herself and everybody else from the tension between her and Angel.

Kelly's mouth fell open. "You blew it up?" She squeaked.

Buffy glanced at her. "Yeah. The mayor turned into a big snake. We had to kill him somehow."

"I see." Adrian slowly. "Please refrain from destroying any school property during your stay here. I'd hate to have to explain to-"

Angel cut him off. "She'll be good." He promised.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Buffy muttered, for the first time noticing that half of her friends had disappeared.

Angel caught her confused look. "They've gone to the mansion." He explained. "I said we'd catch up."

Buffy spun around to face him fully. "We're staying at the mansion?" She asked, her eyes wide.

Angel shrugged. "It was Giles' idea."

"It's a bad idea!! Bad!!!" She cried.

Alana walked up next to Angel, hands on her hips. "Exactly what I said."

"See! Your girlfriend thinks it's a bad idea." Buffy said, pointing at Alana.

"Buffy, what's the big deal?" Xander asked, leaning back in his chair.

Buffy regained her composure. "No big deal. I'm just a little tired. Sorry."

She dropped into a chair, ignoring Angel's worried gaze and sinking into her thoughts.

Could she handle staying in the mansion with Angel? Could she deal, knowing that he was just a few metres away, yet still not hold him; touch him; kiss him?

She let her head fall into her hands.

She never should have come.




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