Perfect
Disclaimer: You know the drill, I don't own anyone familiar. I'm just borrowing them
for a while. I promise I'll put them back with no memory of what happened!
=)
Takes Place: Sunnydale. This is about 1 month in the future. (Just before the
Millennium) Buffy has been dating Riley for about this time. (Don't worry,
I'm a TOTAL B/A 'shipper) He knows she's the Slayer, and she knows he's
involved with the Initiative. He also knows all about Angel.
"See," she said in an I-told-you-so tone. "This isn't so bad."
"Well I've got to admit," Riley said with a smile. "This place looks like it has fun-potential." He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Especially since you're here too." Buffy grinned. She had convinced Riley to have their date at the Bronze.
"Come," she said as she took his hand and led him to the dance floor. A new band was playing a slow song. Buffy rested her head on Riley's shoulder. She smiled. This was what she wanted. A normal relationship with a normal guy. And a good guy too. She was so tired of the whole bad-boy thing. Completely, and totally over the idea. Maybe. She sighed. So she wasn't totally over Angel. No biggie, she would be soon. She had to face the fact that he was gone. They can NEVER be together. Besides, she had all she needed right here.
"Looks like our Slayer's having a jolly, Angel-less time," he said. He took Anya's hand and led her to the dance floor. They moved in sync, watching their friend from a respectable distance.
"They're cute," Anya said.
"Yes-siree," said Xander, as he craned his neck to look at Buffy's ass.
"Xander, no," she said.
"Sorry my love," he said. He was aiming for charming, but it came out as pathetic.
"Just kiss me," she ordered. Xander obeyed.
"Stop it," he scolded himself. That was all in the past, no point bring it all up again. He was here for a reason. He looked around. Dancing bodies swarmed the floor. But he could have found her anywhere.
And there she was. He felt a stab of jealousy to see she wasn't alone. But what had he expected? For her to spend the rest of her existence alone, like he would? No, she had to move on. He watched her with a hidden longing.
"Buffy," Riley asked, concerned. "You ok?"
"What?" she asked startled. "Oh, ya. Um, you know what? I need a drink."
"Want me to get you something?"
"No, thanks. I'll get it." She kissed him on the cheek. "I'll be right back." Riley watched her leave, a look of confusion on his face.
"What can I get you?" asked the bartender.
"Diet Coke." She paid for her drink, then sat at a table. She looked around. Something felt incredibly familiar.
"This seat taken?" asked a voice. Buffy jumped.
"Oh, no! I was just-" Buffy looked up. "Oh my God." It was Angel.
"Hey," he said in a half-whisper. "Got a minute."
"Actually I'm on a da-," she stopped herself. No point bringing Riley up. "Um, ya. A minute."
"So, um, how are you?" He was obviously as uncomfortable as she was.
"Good. I'm good." She forced a smile. They sat in silence. Buffy looked at her drink.
"Look, Buffy, I know we're not supposed to see each other. It's too hard, for both of us."
"Then why are you here?" she demanded. She took a deep breath. Calm down, she told herself. Angel looked away.
"You're in danger," he informed.
"Surprise, surprise," she said sarcastically.
"This is serious Buffy."
"It always is, Angel!" She couldn't hide her anger anymore. "So what is it this time? Is the world ending? Or did your friend have another vision about me?"
"He's dead," Angel replied solemnly. Buffy realized what he'd just said.
"Oh, Angel. Angel I'm so sorry," she said sincerely.
"You didn't know." They sat in an awkward silence.
"So what's the big danger?" Buffy asked, avoiding Angel's eyes.
"I'm not entirely sure," he admitted. "It's some sort of demon, sent to bring forth the Armageddon of mankind."
"You mean like Acathla?" she asked, remembering Angelus.
"Close," he said. "Whatever this demon is, it has the power to open the Hellmouth. There'll be no line between Earth and hell. Demons will plague the Earth, until every living thing has been destroyed. Once it's started, there's no way to stop it."
"So, what do I do?" Buffy asked.
"Talk to Giles. Find out how to prevent it, before it's too late."
"Any idea when the party starts?"
"New Years. This demon can only come forth every thousand years."
"Guess the end of the world really is coming," Buffy joked. Angel half-smiled. "So." Buffy said. "Am I the only one feeling completely out of place?"
"Believe me when I say, no." Angel said. Buffy grinned.
"So," Buffy said anxious for the conversation to end. "Is that it?" Angel stood up.
"Ya."
"Buffy!" someone called. Buffy turned around.
"Riley!" she said. She had forgotten he was even here. "Hi."
"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend?" Riley asked.
"Oh. Right. Riley, this is Angel. Angel, Riley." Riley's face fell as he heard Angel's name.
"So you're Angel, nice of you to stop by. I guess you should be leaving." Riley said smugly. Buffy had told him all about Angel.
"Riley!" Buffy said, as she shot him a disapproving glare.
"No," Angel said. He turned to Buffy. "He's right. I should go. I'll see ya. Be careful."
"Always am," she practically whispered. Angel headed out the door.
"Yep," Buffy said.
"Uh, may I ask where you got hold of this information?" Giles asked. Buffy hesitated.
"Angel," she finally choked out.
"Angel?" Xander coughed.
"That's what I said."
"What's he doing here?" Willow questioned. "I mean, I thought you two had agreed not to see each other anymore."
"We did," Buffy said, feeling suddenly ashamed. "Unless it was absolutely necessary. Guess this falls under that category."
"Quite," Giles agreed. "Do you plan on seeing him again? I'd like to know where he found out about this End of Days, see if they have any more information."
"I don't know," Buffy said. "I don't know if I can see him. It's just so hard." Buffy shook her head. "I have to go," she said suddenly. "I forgot to do. something. Bye." Buffy grabbed her bag then ran from the room.
"And she seemed completely over Angel," Xander said sarcastically.
"Well it's obvious seeing him brought up buried emotions," Anya said matter-of-factly. "Someone should talk to her."
"I'll go," Willow volunteered. She stood up and headed out the door.
"Buffy!" Willow called from behind her. Buffy stopped and turned around.
"Hey Will," she said.
"So what was that about?" Willow asked. "Anything you wanna talk about?"
"Just the angst that is Angel."
"Still not over him, huh?"
"I know I should be," Buffy cried. "I mean it could never work. And now there's Riley. So why can't I just forget Angel and move on? When we were together it hurt so much. I guess a part of me always knew it would end like this." A tear rolled down her cheek. "But we were so happy."
"I know Buffy. But it's better this way," Willow tried to comfort her friend.
"If it's so much better, then why does it hurt so much?" Buffy fell to the ground. "Why do I want nothing more than to have him hold me and tell me everything's ok?" Tears poured down Buffy's face now.
"I know how it feels."
"Oh God, Will, I'm sorry," Buffy wiped her face. "Here I am bawling about my problems, and I'm forgetting you have your own."
"No, it's ok. You were there for me, now it's my turn."
"Have you noticed it seems to be your turn a lot?" Buffy smiled half-heartedly. Willow wrapped her arms around her as Buffy cried.
"Couldn't one of you just pop up and try to kill me?" She asked the non-existent vampires.
"My pleasure, Slayer," called a British voice.
"Ya, well you don't count Spike," Buffy called without turning around. "You wouldn't be much of a challenge, what with you being unable to, for lack of a better word, perform."
"You just wait. I'll find a cure myself. I don't need that commando boy-toy of yours."
"Shut up Spike."
"And I've gotta say, your standards have gotten low."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well I hate to admit it, but I liked Angel a hell of a lot more." Buffy cringed when she heard His name. "All he ever did was steal Dru. At least he didn't put a bloody chip in my head!"
"You know what Spike, I'm getting tired of all your complaining. Want me to put you out of your misery?"
"That's alright. But thanks for caring." Spike turned then disappeared into the night. Buffy sighed and continued patrolling. She wished she could find something to hit. The wind blew past her bare arms. She wondered why she hadn't brought a coat. She kept walking, unsure of where she was headed. She just followed her feet, until she came to face the mansion. Angel's mansion.
"Just gonna warm up," she told herself.
"Buffy?" ha asked as he saw her. "What-?"
"Oh, sorry," Buffy replied awkwardly. "I didn't think you would be. what are you doing here?"
"I, uh, I figured I'd stay until this whole thing blows over. You know, make sure everything's ok."
"And look over me."
"Uh."
"I'm a big girl Angel. I grew up. I don't need you watching over me anymore."
"I know. I mean, I know you can take care of yourself. But I just wanted to be sure."
"I have a boyfriend, you know." She wasn't really sure what that had to do with anything, but figured he had to hear it sometime. And some part of her wanted it to hurt him. The way he had hurt her.
"I know. Riley right?"
"Ya. He's great. Smart, funny, alive."
"I'm happy for you. You deserve to be with a good guy."
"Ya, I do. I deserve a good guy and a normal life. You could never give that to me," Buffy snapped, shocked by her sudden coldness.
"That's why I left," he said, obviously hurt.
"Ya. So I could be happy. But you know what Angel? I was already happy! I had everything that I could ever want!"
"You know that's not true, Buffy! You want a normal life. You want someone you can grow old with, someone to give you children, who can take you out into the day. I can never give you that!"
"How do you know that? How do you know what I want?"
Angel though back to that day. When he had been human. Buffy had told him that that day was perfect, that it was everything she had ever wanted. He wished he could tell her now.
"Because I know you."
"No, you don't know me!" she yelled. "If you really knew me you'd know what I want! It's not a normal life, you know. I don't give a damn about having a normal life! What I want, Angel, is you." Tears rushed down Buffy's face. "I want you," she whispered. Angel didn't know what to say.
"And I want you."
"Then why can't we be together?"
"Buffy you know why, we've been over this before. I'm a vampire, you're human. Nothing can ever change that," he lied. Something could change that. But it would mean Buffy's life, and that just wasn't an option.
"You know what, I have to go," Buffy managed to choke out. "I'll see you later." She stormed out the door.
Angel collapsed in a chair and put his hands over his face. The fire caused something to shine. He looked at his hand and saw his Claddagh ring. He had given Buffy one for her 17th birthday. He studied his ring; the heart was still pointing towards him. He still belonged to someone.
"Bastard," Xander said.
"If I were still a demon I'd make his penis fall off," Anya added.
"Could you not bring that stuff up," Xander begged.
"Look you guys," Buffy interrupted. "I know you wanna help, but calling him names and wishing really gross things on him isn't what I'd call helping."
"Sorry," Willow said. "But that's what friends are supposed to do."
"I know," Buffy said. "And I appreciate it. But that's not what I need right now."
"Well Buffster," Xander chimed. "What do you need?"
"A big bowl of ice cream wouldn't hurt."
"Come in," she called. The door opened and Riley stepped inside.
"Hey, Buffy," he said. He seemed to feel out of place.
"Riley! Hi." They stood in silence for a minute. "Uh, Riley? Did you come with a purpose, or did you just wanna stare at my beautiful face?"
"Both," he laughed. He bent over and gave her a kiss. Something was weird. Buffy pulled away abruptly.
"So," she said suddenly. "What's the big news?"
"Huh?" he said, surprised by her behavior. "Oh, right. I came to, uh, to see if you were alright."
"Huh," Buffy said with a forced laugh. "I'm alright. Very alright. Why wouldn't I be alright?" Riley didn't buy it.
"Well, lets see. Your ex comes to town with some prophetic warning of the world ending. The same ex who you happened to be in love with, who skipped town last summer 'cause you two could never have a future together."
"You know me too well, Riley Finn."
"You still love him, don't you?" It was really more of a statement than a question.
"What?"
"Tell me the truth Buffy. Do you still love him?" Buffy could see a pleading look in Riley's eyes. But she couldn't lie to him. A single tear fell from her eye.
"There's not one part of me that doesn't," Buffy cried. "I'm sorry Riley. I'm so, so sorry."
"So am I." He gave her a kiss, soft and tender. Then he whispered in her ear. "Good bye, Buffy." He stood up and walked out the door; out of her life.
"Good bye."
"You guys never learn," she said as she punched the demon's face. "Never mess with me when I'm pissed off." She pulled out a stake and the vamp fell to the floor, a pile of dust. "Not much of a fight," she complained. Slaying would take her mind off her love life, or lack-of. Of course you couldn't count on vampires.
"What's this?" he whispered. He read the entry, a look of horror crossing his face. "Dear God!"
"Why doesn't she carry a cell?" Anya asked through breaths.
"She's gotta be here somewhere," Xander panted. They were running so fast that they didn't see a man walking up ahead. They crashed and all three fell to the ground.
"Ouch!" Anya screamed.
"Sorry, man," Xander said to the man.
"No, problem," he answered. He sat up and turned to face them.
"Angel?" Anya asked.
"Xander, Anya. Hey."
"What are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be gone? Oh, no sorry, you leave after we save the world. You plan on saying good bye this time?"
"Xander," Anya said.
"No, you've seen Buffy! You know what she's been through," Xander argued. He turned back to Angel. "She was moving on you know! She had a boyfriend and a normal relationship, but no. You couldn't just leave her alone, could you? You had to come back."
"Look, Angel," Anya added. "I don't know you, and I don't even want to know you. But it's obvious Buffy still loves you. Why else would she break up with Riley?"
"She what?" Angel asked.
"Ya," Xander shot. "She broke up with him. Isn't it a little strange that it happened right after a certain Deadboy came back to town?"
"I just came to help," Angel muttered.
"She doesn't need your help," Xander told him.
"I know."
"Well," Anya interrupted. "As long as you're here you might as well come with us. We need to find Buffy, Giles found something."
"Where's Buffy?" Giles asked, worry on his face.
"Outside," Xander answered.
"We ran into Angel," Anya explained. "They're right behind us."
"Who?" Buffy asked. She walked in, Angel close behind.
"Ah, Buffy," Giles replied. "Angel." Angel nodded hello.
"So, Giles," Buffy started. "What's the sitch?"
"Sitch? Ah, Yes. The demon." Giles opened a book and passed it to Buffy. She looked at the page. There was a picture of a demon. It was huge, with horns and long claws. It's skin was red, with creases on it's forehead.
"Ain't he a looker?" Buffy joked.
"She, actually," Giles corrected. "It's a Mellicam demon. They can only come to the surface every thousand years. They spend their lives preparing for the End of Days. They rise on the last day of the last month."
"That's only two days away," Buffy muttered.
"Yes, we must hurry. I've been researching the Mellicam's ritual. Before it can open the Hellmouth it needs to perform a sacrificial ritual. It must go to the place with the strongest bond to the Hellmouth."
"You mean.?"
"Yes, the high school ruins. But that's not all. The demon must make two sacrifices at exactly midnight."
"What kind of sacrifices?" Willow asked nervously.
"Demon and human. The blood of each must fall to open the Hellmouth. Once the blood as splattered the ground it will be too late."
"Any idea who's going to be sacrificed?" Buffy asked, but she already knew the answer.
"The blood needs to be from someone strong. A vampire is enough for the demon blood. But the human blood needs to be from-"
"The Slayer," Buffy finished for him. "I know the drill. I stop this or we all die. I get it."
"Well it's not that simple. We don't know how to kill this thing."
"And we don't have to," Buffy said. "We just have to prevent the ritual. You said it had to be finished by midnight, what if it doesn't?"
"Then Mellicam will be sent back underground, where she'll remain for another thousand years."
"So that's what we'll do. Stop this thing before it starts."
"Then what do we do in the mean time?"
"Wait."
"It's hard to believe this could all be gone in a few hours," Anya added as she leaned on his shoulder.
"It's not going to be gone," Buffy insisted. "I'm gonna stop this."
"You will Buffy," Willow agreed.
"I just have to keep myself alive 'til after midnight. Then this whole thing will be over. And trust me, I'm not exactly itching to die again."
"Now, Buffy," he explained. "You can't kill this demon. Weapons will only slow it down for a while. All you have to do is keep fighting."
"Can do," she agreed. "I fight until it's too late to do the spell. Gotcha."
"Buffy," he called as she headed for the door. "Are you sure you want to go alone?"
"I'm NOT putting any of you in danger. Besides it's just one demon. I'll be fine."
"Perhaps you should ask Angel to, uh, assist you."
"I'll be fine. Don't worry." She kissed him on the cheek and left out the door.
"Good luck," he called after her.
"I call on you ancient ones. Grant me the power to set you free."
"Hey, sweetheart!" she called mockingly. "Still need some mortal blood?" Mellicam turned.
"I knew you would come. But you will never win. I cannot be stopped."
"Wanna bet?" Buffy lifted her leg to the demon's face. "Oh, here's a tip," she said seeing the demon's red skin. "Get a better sunscreen." She delivered another kick, but the demon was to fast. She grabbed Buffy's leg and pulled, landing Buffy on the ground.
"This is pointless," hissed Mellicam. "I cannot be killed."
"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure." Buffy pulled out the crossbow and fired a dart into the demon's chest. Mellicam flinched.
"That stings!" she complained.
"Oh," Buffy said. "It gets worse." She fired another bolt into the demon, this time hitting its neck. Mellicam laughed and pulled it out violently.
"You cannot escape me." She laughed menacingly. Buffy glanced at her watch; 11:55.
"Say good night, Slayer," Mellicam spat. She put the knife against Buffy's throat. Buffy felt the cold metal against her skin. She smiled, catching the demon off guard. That was all she needed. She pushed Mellicam away and jumped onto her feet. But the demon was too fast. As Buffy went to plant another punch on it's face the demon pulled up the dagger. Buffy felt the metal plunge into her flesh. She clutched her stomach. The demon laughed. Buffy used the last of her strength to lift her watch. 12:01.
"You're too late," she gasped. Mellicam looked up.
"No!" A light flashed beneath the demon. "NOOOOOO!" it screamed as it was pulled back underground. Then it was gone. Buffy collapsed to the ground.
"Buffy!" he called as he rushed to her side. "Buffy, what-?" She opened her eyes.
"We won," she coughed. "Told you I could do it." Angel brushed a hair from her face.
"Hold on. I'll get help."
"No," she argued. "There's no point."
"Buffy-"
"I'm going to die, Angel. Stay with me. I can't go through it alone." Tears welled in both of their eyes. He leaned over and kissed her. Soft, tender, and passionate. Buffy choked. "Angel, I love you."
"I love you too. I never stopped. Not even when I left." She slowly raised her hand to his face.
"Promise me something," she asked.
"Anything."
"Tell everyone I love them. That I'm sorry it had to end this way. Say good bye for me."
"Of course."
"Good bye Angel," she whispered. Her hand fell to the floor.
"Buffy? No, Buffy. Don't leave me. Buffy!" His head fell to her. He kissed her one last time. "Good bye Buffy."
"Angel," called a voice. He looked up. It was the Oracle.
"You lied!" he screamed at them. "You said if I turned back time so that I was never human, she would live!"
"Who says she didn't live?" asked the female Oracle.
"I was there. She died."
"That never stopped me before," Angel spun around to see Buffy standing behind him.
"But you're-"
"Dead?" she finished. "I was dead."
"But how?"
"We never brake a promise," answered the male Oracle. "And we promised she wouldn't die."
Angel couldn't believe what he was hearing. He wrapped his arms around Buffy and pulled her close.
"I thought I'd lost you forever," he whispered between tears.
"Me too," she cried.
"We were very impressed by both of you," the female Oracle continued. "You both gave up your lives for each other. We have decided to reward you. Buffy has the memory of the day Mohra made you human. And we have another gift." The male Oracle called Angel forward. He touched Angel's heart. Angel felt his heart beat.
"I'm alive!" he cried. He turned and kissed Buffy. "I'm alive."
"That is not all. You," the female said pointing to Buffy. "Hit him."
"What?" Buffy asked, unsure of what was being asked of her.
"Hit him." Buffy shrugged but Angel nodded in approval. She pulled back her arm and punched Angel in the face. He pulled back, and when he straightened up, his face was vamped.
"Angel?" Buffy asked, confused.
"He can now be a demon only when he needs to fight. When he is in danger he will transform. When he is not, he's a normal man." Angel shook off his game face.
"Oh God," Buffy cried. "Thank you so much. How do we repay you?"
"You already have," they Oracles answered in unison, and then they were gone.
Buffy and Angel stood in disbelief. Suddenly he placed his hand tenderly on her face. She stared him in the eyes as he pulled her in for a kiss. As he pulled away she smiled.
"This is perfect," she whispered. He smiled in agreement. "I guess we should tell everyone the good news." They walked hand-in-hand to Giles' place. Buffy smiled. It really was perfect.
END.