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 6


Buffy padded out of the guest room half an hour later, awakened by the miniscule sound of Angel moving around in one of the small storage rooms that the mansion contained. She tiptoed to the door, not wanting to wake the others.

Angel was kneeling in front of a large wooden chest, staring intently at Mr Gordo.

"What is your fascination with that pig?" Buffy asked, smiling when he jumped, startled.

He stood slowly, handing it to her and shrugging.

Her eyes fell on the open chest behind them. "Wow. It's like a shrine of all things me."

Angel would have blushed, had he the ability.

She grinned. "Don't suppose Mr Pointy is in there somewhere?"

He nodded, picking up the stake and tossing it to her. She caught it easily, slipping it in the waistband of her pants before settling on the floor, tugging on his arm. He sat down next to her.

"I can't believe you kept all this stuff, Achmed." She muttered, picking up a photo frame containing a picture of her, Xander and Willow in the park one day.

He gave her a sheepish half-smile. "I couldn't let it go."

"You missed us. Understandable." Buffy reassured him. "We missed you."

His brown eyes met her green ones.

"*I* missed you." Buffy whispered.

His face crumpled slightly for a moment. "I wanted to go with you." He said, his voice lowered.

Buffy shook her head sadly. "I didn't want to leave you."

"I know." Angel replied, looking down. There was a pause, and when he spoke again, his voice was careful, unsure. "What's it like?"

Buffy watched him for a moment, confused, before catching on. "Heaven?" She asked, studying him.

He nodded.

"It's strange." Buffy said, twisting her hands. "It's like....It creates places that your head, or your heart connects with happiness...with the better times in your life.A few details are different...Like, the library. It's one of our places, but it's sunnier, and the chairs are more comfortable. And there are always jelly donuts."

He chuckled.

"I...I also have my room, as it was when I was 16 years old...the butterflies, the soft toys...the window always open in case you decided to drop by..."

Angel smiled at the memory, reaching out to brush a piece of her hair from her eyes, knowing in his heart that the simple gesture was dangerous, but unable to ignore the compulsion to do so.

Her hair fascinated him; The way it shimmered even in the darkness, as if it generated it's own sunlight. The silky feel of it on his fingers, and the apple scent that always accompanied it's movement.

She smiled, tears welling in her eyes. "I watched you, you know."

He frowned in confusion. "Huh?"

"I watched you. All the time. I'd watch you until I couldn't bear to see you anymore because it hurt too much that you weren't there."

"Oh." He said, growing still. "That's why you weren't surprised by Alana."

She nodded slowly. "Yeah. She's nice."

Angel's face became pained. "She is."

"But?"

"She's not you."

Buffy stared at him, her lips trembling. "Now's not our time, Angel. We have to be strong...."

"I'm not strong." Angel replied.

"Me either. And this conversation isn't helping."

A heavy silence fell over them, each refusing to look at the other.

Buffy growled after a moment, and Angel glanced up at her quickly, confused.

"What's wrong?" He asked her, concerned.

She threw her hands up. "I need clothes."

Angel nearly chuckled at the rather obvious change of conversation.

He bit his lips. "Why?"

"Well, I didn't really pack a suitcase for this trip." She said, rolling her eyes. "And there is *no way* I'm wearing this every day." She gestured to the white tank top and black pants she wore.

He watched her for a moment, considering her dilemma. Finally, he smiled. "Couldn't have that." He murmured. "There's a 24 hour mall ten minutes away."

She grinned, clapping her hands. "Let's go."

He stood, extending his hand to help her up.

She took it, brushing away the rush of desire she felt at his touch




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