Forever, Always, and Then Some

Chapter 25

 

At the Country Club.

 

Buffy and Angel are chatting with the other guest. She has introduced her to a number of former classmates. Suddenly Angel grabs Buffy’s arm and leads her away from the others.

Angel: Buffy we got trouble.

Buffy: What? A demon? Where?

Angel: No, do you see that woman? The brunette.

Buffy: Uh yeah, she looks familiar. I have seen her before.

Angel: Probably, we need to leave.

Buffy: Leave why? Is she with Wolfram & Hart?

Angel: No, she is an actress, lets go.

Buffy: Hold on why are you running from some actress?

Angel: Because last time I saw her I tried to kill her.

Buffy: Whoa soldier slow down. You better tell me what is going on.

Angel: Fine but not here.

Buffy leads him to another room.

Buffy: Okay tell me what.

Angel: her name is Rebecca Howell and she was a client.

Buffy: Rebecca Howell, now I know where I have seen her, she use to have a TV show.

Angel: Right, well she hired me as her bodyguard when she thought she was being stalked.

Buffy: But she wasn’t

Angel: No just a publicity stunt to revive her career.

Buffy: And you tried to kill her why?

Angel: Not my fault. She found out what I am and well she….oh you know celebrities’ never want to age.

Buffy: She wanted you to….but you didn’t?

Angel: Of course not, you know me than that………I thought

Buffy: I do. I am just trying to get to the killing part.

Angel: Well I refused her naturally so she decided I might be more receptive if I was say less in control.

Buffy: Huh?

Angel: She slipped me a mickey.

Buffy: A mickey, What kind of mickey?

Angel: A happy pill.

Buffy: Uh we don’t like a happy Angel.

Angel: Exactly. Well lets say I had bliss and got in connection with my inner demon.

Buffy: But it was only temporary, right?

Angel: Right, but it lasted long enough for me to get real ugly. Luckily Wes & Cordy showed up and were able to knock me out and chain me up.

Buffy: Chained you up?

Angel: Oh yeah. I woke up completely immobile.

Buffy: Getting visuals.

Angel: Visualize later now do you see why I need to leave.

Buffy: Actually no. You can’t run away. You did nothing wrong. She did.

Angel: You were not there.

Buffy: Hey I met Angelus, I didn’t have to be there. But you are still not running away.

Angel: Got any better ideas.

Buffy: Yeah, I talk to her.

Angel: Huh?

Buffy: Leave it to me, now go mingle while I deal with her. You have to trust me.

Angel: Fine.

They return to the party. Buffy heads toward Rebecca. She sees her leave the room and follows her to the ladies room. Buffy enters and assures they are alone.

Buffy: Rebecca I need to talk to you.

Rebecca: Excuse me do I know you?

Buffy: No you don’t.

Rebecca: listen if you want my help getting into the business, sorry I can not help you.

Buffy: Huh, no I am not an actress. I want to talk you about my husband. Seems a couple of years ago you slipped him a drug and things got a little ugly. Well he is here tonight and I don’t want you making a scene.

Rebecca: Who are you talking about> Who is your husband?

Buffy: Do you make a habit of slipping drugs to men?

Rebecca: No, I have never….oh my god not him…..he is here.

Buffy: I see you do remember.

Rebecca: He tried to kill me. He is insane.

Buffy: Shut up. He is not insane. You are the insane one giving someone drugs. But that is another issue. I just want to assure that you do not cause trouble. Because darling if you think he is crazy just do anything to hurt someone I love and you will know trouble.

Rebecca: Oh my god you are like him. You are one them.

Buffy glances at the mirror, Rebecca does too.

Rebecca: You have a reflection.

Buffy: Uh huh, I am not a vampire. I am human. Now can we get back to the subject. Angel and I have not been out in ages and I want to enjoy tonight, without some psycho has-been ruining it.

Rebecca: If he is here I am leaving. So you can stop worrying.

Buffy: That works for me. Now I am going to go back to the party.

Buffy leaves and heads back to Angel.

Angel: How did it go? ( he leans down and gives her a kiss)

Buffy: She said she is leaving.

Angel: Good…..now I have another big problem.

Buffy: What now another lunatic client?

Angel: No, I have just been listening to the music and have had no one to dance with.

Buffy: (looks around) I am sure that anyone of these pretty ladies would have been happy to oblige.

Angel: Pretty ladies, I only see one pretty lady here. But if she doesn’t want me, then I could stand here and brood. Told I am quite good at it.

Buffy: The best……..amongst other wonderful skills.

Meanwhile Rebecca has found Oliver.

Rebecca: I need to leave, now.

Oliver: Rebecca darling you can not leave. There are people here that could help your career get back on track. You need to get out there and smooze honey. Make them remember what made you a star. I thought that is what you wanted. I could have brought anyone of my clients here tonight but I chose you because you really need it. Now get out there and wow them.

Rebecca: I can’t stay here.

Oliver: You can’t afford to leave. And if you do you and I are history.

Rebecca: Oliver, you wouldn’t.

Oliver: Oh I would, I have been busting my tail for you and now you need to show me you are worth it.

Rebecca: But

Oliver: No buts honey, get circulating.

Rebecca walks off. She spies Buffy and Angel dancing. She shivers, but starts moving throughout the room, avoiding the dance floor.

A little later Buffy and Angel are talking with Michelle’s father amongst others when Oliver escorts Rebecca up to the production company executive.

Oliver: Hello Franklin

Franklin: Why hello Oliver, so glad you could make it. And Miss Lowell, nice to see you again.

Rebecca: Nice to see you too. Lovely party.

Franklin: Why thank you. Have you met my other guest, Oliver?

Oliver: No I haven’t.

Franklin: This is Angel and Buffy Summers. Buffy and my daughter Michelle grew up together and her husband Angel runs a local investigation agency.

Oliver: Angel Investigations? Yes I remember. ( he turns to Rebecca) Rebecca isn’t this the gentleman you hired as a bodyguard a few years ago?

Rebecca: Yes it is Oliver.

Angel: Hello Rebecca, nice to see you again .

Buffy: Nice to meet you Rebecca.

Buffy’s father takes that moment to arrive.

Hank: Hello everyone, sorry I am late. Had to wait on a call from overseas.

Angel: Hello Hank.

Hank: Hi Angel. (leans over and kisses Buffy’s cheek) Hi sweetheart.

Franklin: Hank, I am glad you made it. I hear from Buffy that you have now joined the rest of us in the rank of grandparent.

Hank: That I have. Quite the handsome little guy. I would show you pictures but left them at home.

Buffy: Hmmmm…..I bet I can find one ( she reaches into Angel’s coat pocket) I knew it.

Angel: Hey.

Buffy: Can’t leave home without it.

Franklin: Hey I remember those days. New father pride. Great feeling.

Angel: Sure is.

Rebecca: You two have a child? But I thought……

Buffy interrupts her with thoughts: Shut up Rebecca

Rebecca is startled.

Buffy (mentally): I suggest you walk away now.

Rebecca looks scared and walks off.

Angel looks at Buffy curiously.

Buffy (mentally): Told her to leave.

Angel nods.

Buffy(mentally): See mental projections has its place.

Angel: Buffy want to dance?

Buffy: Always.

The rest of the evening goes off without further hassle.

Buffy and Angel return from their night out. He stops her outside the door.

Angel: Buffy, where are you going in such a hurry?

Buffy: Inside where it is warm.

Angel: I can warm you up, I vaguely remember I promised to ravish you and if we walk in that door Cordy will show up.

Angel leads her over to the bench and the sit down

Angel pulls her into his arms and begins an assault of kisses upon her neck and face, avoiding her mouth. She runs her hands up into his hair.. Angel takes his finger and runs it over her lips.

Angel: Your lips are so soft. So warm. Should I violate them or not?

Buffy: Uh huh

Angel: You sure? We could just go on inside.

Buffy grabs his head and her mouth takes possession of his. As the kiss, he hands roam over her body. His hand reaches her leg and he suddenly pulls back from the kiss.

Angel: Silk stockings?

Buffy: Uh huh, special dress requires special accessories.

Angel: I love the feel of silk.

Buffy: I know. I thought you were ravishing me.

Angel: I am.

He resumes the kiss. He continues to stroke her leg. His hand starts up her thigh and Buffy pulls back.

Buffy: I do not think you should be doing that.

Angel: Why not? I was trying to find out what was holding them up.

Buffy lifts her skirt just enough to reveal a lace garter.

Angel: Nice, I am assuming there are two of them.

Buffy: Uh huh.

Angel: Kinda reminds me of our wedding.

Buffy: But if you remove these, my stockings will fall down.

Angel: Well they can stay where they are for now. But I want the pleasure of removing them when the time comes.

Buffy: That sounds like a dangerous suggestion.

Angel: Not dangerous just inspired.

Buffy: I think you are playing with fire.

Angel: I told you I don’t play. But I agree we should go in.

They walk inside.

Cordy: How was the party?

Angel: It was fine. Rebecca Lowell was there.

Cordy: Oh that had to be uncomfortable

Angel: Not too bad, my wife here took care of her.

Buffy: How is Conner?

Cordy: He just went to sleep.

Buffy: Thanks again Cordy but I have been apart from him too long.

Angel: I agree, Cordy take my car and go on home. I will see you tomorrow.

Buffy: No you won’t…..sorry Cordy but tomorrow is set aside for family time……..we have not had much of that since I got here.

Cordy: Sounds like a great idea.

Buffy and Angel go up to their room. Buffy checks on Conner then collapses across the bed.

Angel: Have a good time tonight?

Buffy: Uh huh but glad to be home.

Angel walks up to the bed and looks down at her and smiles.

Buffy: Whatever you are thinking, forget it.

Angel: Humph. Can I ask you something?

Buffy: What?

Angel: If I tried to make love to you what would you do?

Buffy tries to sit up but he stops her.

Angel: What would you do?

Buffy: I wouldn’t let you, I would stop you.

Angel: Good, that is exactly what I expected. Now if you tried to make love to me, what do you think I would do?

Buffy: Stop me, I hope.

Angel: Exactly, that is why there is no hope of us ever going too far. One of us would not let it happen.

Buffy: You are saying, if one of us loses control the other would be the level head. Uh what if both of us lose control.

Angel just looks at her.

Buffy: Pretty unlikely we both go off the deep end at the same time. I guess I understand what you mean.

Angel: Good.

He reaches down and lifts her leg. He removes her shoe and drops it on the floor. He runs his hands down the silkiness of her stockings until he reaches the garter and slowly slides it up and off, tossing it into a chair. He then proceeds to slowly remove the stocking. He tosses it with the garter. He lowers that leg and reaches for the other one.

Buffy: Uh which one of us has the level head tonight?

Angel: You.

Buffy: I was afraid of that.

He takes everything off her second leg and lowers it to the floor. He then lies down next to Buffy and gently kisses her.

Buffy: Ready for bed……uh I mean sleep.

Angel: I guess. Nothing else we can do is there?

Buffy: Nope, nothing at all.

Angel: Too bad.

Buffy jumps up and grabs her pajamas and heads to the bathroom to shower and change. She comes back out ready for bed. Angel is waiting his turn.

Angel: Leave me any hot water?

Buffy: All of it.

Angel smiles at her.

Angel: Thought as much.

Buffy: Angel, next time you are level head.

Angel: Maybe.

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