Forever, Always, and Then Some

Chapter 50

 

Sunnydale

Willow: Buffy you got a package in the mail from Angel.

Buffy: A package? Let me see

Buffy opens the package.

Buffy: It’s a video. Oh I know what this is. I have got to see it. He refused to tell me what happened.

Willow: What is it?

Buffy: A sword fight between Cordy and Nigel.

Willow: This should be good.

Later.

Buffy (tears rolling down her cheeks) Oh my god. That was so fuuuuunny. I have never lauuuughed so haaard in myyyyy life.

Willow: (trying to catch her breath) I…I…I know. DDDid you seee him. Heeee (she doubles over).

Buffy: I…I know. Now I know whyyyyy hehehe Angel made me waaait to see it.

The phone rings.

Buffy: Heelllloooo.

Angel: Buffy, you okay?

Buffy: Juuust finished waaatching theeeee tape.

Angel: Oh, pretty good huh.

Buffy: Uhhh huh.

Angel: Well if you can control yourself I need to ask you something.

Buffy: Okay. I am fine.(snort)

Angel: Should I call back?

Buffy: No, go ahead.

Angel: I am calling to ask you out Saturday night. For a sort of 8 week celebration.

Buffy: A date?

Angel: With my best girl, you want to.

Buffy: You have to ask?

Angel: Yes, you might have plans already.

Buffy: I would break them for an evening with you.

Angel: Okay I will pick you up I guess about 8 or 8:30. Cordy and Gunn are going to stay with Willow, Dawn and Conner. More protection.

Buffy: Thought of everything.

Angel: Actually I have. I have one more request.

Buffy: What?

Angel: You know the your blue suit?

Buffy: The one from the wedding. You want me to wear it?

Angel: Please. And I was imagining it over that blue teddy I bought you. Oh and silk stockings.

Buffy: What are you trying to do, make yourself insane.

Angel: No, I would just love being able to visualize what is underneath during dinner and a slow dance or two.

Buffy: Sounds like you are planning a nice night.

Angel: I am. I hope you like it.

Buffy: Anytime with you is special.

Angel: Then I will see you Saturday night. Love you.

Buffy: Love you too.

Hang up.

Willow: What was that?

Buffy: I have a date with Angel Saturday night. Oh and Cordy and Gunn are going to stay here for extra security. You don’t mind do you?

Willow: Not at all. Why the special date?

Buffy: Would you believe 8 week anniversary?

Willow: Okay why don’t they make more romantics like him?

 

 

Later that night while Buffy is on patrol, the phone rings.

Willow: Hello

Angel: Willow, is Buffy gone?

Willow: Yes, sorry.

Angel: No, don’t be. I wanted to talk to you privately. I need a little help. I am going to tell you something and you can not breath a word to Buffy. Promise.

Willow: I don’t like this.

Angel: No it is a good thing, actually a great thing, but I want to make sure there are no slip ups so I need to be sure I have someone in Sunnydale in on the plot.

Willow: I am still not feeling reassured.

Angel: Well…..( he tells her about the gift from the powers) and you see I want to make this weekend exceptionally special.

Willow: I don’t know what to say. This is amazing.

Angel: I know, so can I count on you to help. I don’t want to tell Buffy until we are alone.

Willow: You have put a lot of thought into all this haven’t you.

Angel: Well yeah Cordy has been a big help too. But what I need from you is making sure that she won’t have to worry about Conner. That she has left plenty of bottles and the like. Don’t want any distractions.

Willow: Got it. What about a change of clothes and toothbrush and all.

Angel: I got it all. Everything is packed and ready. Just need my bride.

Willow: One belated honeymoon.

Angel: Exactly, now no word to anyone. The only ones that know are you, me Cordy, and Gunn.

Willow: My mouth is sealed. Call me if you need anything else.

Angel: Thanks Willow.

Hang up.

Cordy: Everything ready?

Angel: Last stone in place. I am ready. I just hope the Inn does what they promised.

Cordy: They will, this is their business.

 

 

Saturday night.

Angel, Cordy, and Gunn arrive at the Summers home. Dawn opens the door.

Dawn: Hello. Angel you look so handsome. I like you in a suit.

Buffy: So do I.

Angel stares at Buffy as if in a trance.

Dawn: Buffy, I think you left him speechless.

Buffy: Angel?

Angel: Buffy, you take my breath away.

Buffy: You don’t……never mind, being literal again. Are we ready?

Angel: I just want to see Conner first.

Willow: I thought as much. (walks up holding Conner)

Angel takes him.

Angel: He is growing like a weed. It has been just over a week but it feels like months.

He kisses Conner and hands him back to Willow.

Angel: Cordy has the number if you need us.

Buffy: And our cell phones. Oh and Cordy, nice sword work.

Cordy: Thanks. Now go. Have a good time.

Angel and Buffy leave. Cordy and Willow look at each other.

Willow: I hope it is a little more than just good.

Cordy: It will be.

They both smile, knowing their best friends are headed for the time of their lives.

Angel pulls up to the Inn located on beach. He helps her out of the car and pauses long enough to brush her lips with his.

Buffy: You are not going small tonight.

Angel: Not in the least.

He walks her inside. As they are seated, he touches his jacket.

Angel: Be right back, I need to run to the car.

Angel slips outside and carries in a leather bag. He takes it to the man at the checkout counter.

Angel: Hi , I’m Angel Summer’s. I understand you have everything ready upstairs.

Clerk: Everything will be as you requested. Do you want us to put your bag in your room?

Angel: Please.

Clerk: We will bring you the key when everything is complete.

Angel: Don’t let her know.

Clerk: No problem, we can be discreet.

Angel returns to the table and sits down.

Angel: Sorry, I forgot a little something for you in the car.

Buffy: For me, what is 8 weeks, I know 1 year is paper or something like that.

Angel: Actually this is more something I have wanted to give you for awhile. I think you lost the last one.

Buffy: What?

Angel pulls out a silver claddaugh ring.

Angel: Will you still wear this after the last time?

Buffy: Of course. The ring had nothing to do with what happened.

Angel: I just thought it might bring back memories.

Buffy: The memories of that night were not bad. The consequences afterward are what was bad.

The waiter interrupts. They order and spend the rest of the evening talking, touching hands and just being a couple in love. When desert is served, Angel feels something fall in his lap. He sees their room key and quietly slips it into his pocket.

After dinner.

Angel: I have another surprise for you.

Buffy: Another? What?

Angel: Come with me.

He leads her upstairs and to the door of their room. He unlocks the door and turns and swoops her into his arms.

Buffy: Angel, what are you doing?

Angel: Shhh.

He carries her in and closes the door. The room is alight with candles. A fire blazes in the fireplace. The curtains are drawn back revealing a view of the ocean. Buffy looks around stunned.

Buffy: What is going on?

Angel: Our belated honeymoon. Let’s go out on the balcony.

He walks her out and he stands behind her his arms wrapped her waist.

Buffy: It’s beautiful. But why?

Angel: Because I love you and I want tonight to be as perfect as possible.

Buffy: What about Conner?

Angel: Willow and the others have him. He is okay. They do not expect us until tomorrow night.

Buffy: (turns to face him) What?

Angel: We are staying here for the next 24 hours. Just you and me. Here in this room.

Buffy: (turns back to the ocean) Sounds nice but maybe a little to well risky. Too much temptation.

Angel: (nuzzles her neck) Not too much, just enough. You know what I want to do?

Buffy: Uh, huh. Drive me to the point of insanity if you do not quit with the neck.

Angel: (still nuzzling) No, I want to make love to you. Here in this room, all night and day long.

Buffy tries to slip out of his grasp but he holds her firmly.

Buffy: Let go, I need to get away. Please.

Angel: Calm down it is okay, I promise.

Buffy: No it isn’t, you are talking about things that can never happen and damn it I don’t want to be the level headed one. Please let me go.

Angel: Not until you listen to me. Come inside and I will explain everything. Trust me?

Buffy: Of course I do. But no way are we making love.

Angel: I think you will change your mind.

They walk back into the room. He motions for her to sit on the bed but she chooses a chair near the fire. He retrieves the black box from his bag.

Angel: Last week after you left I had a visitor. His name is Skip, he works for the Powers too. He was delivering a gift from them.

Buffy: Huh?

Angel: A little wedding present of sorts. ( he hands her the box)

Buffy: (opens the box) Okay this is ugly. Their taste is awful.

Angel: I said the same thing until Skip explained it to me.

Angel kneels down beside her and lifts the pendant from the box.

Angel: The stones here represent the battles we have fought against the evil forces. All the stones are glowing. Which means that we have earned a reward of sorts.

Buffy: What are you talking about?

Angel: This pendant was given to us as a way to bind my soul for 24 hours. During which time nothing we do can take it from me.

Buffy: Even?

Angel: Yes, even making love.

Buffy: But how? Why? Is it a trick?

Angel: First of all it is not a trick. I know Skip works for the powers but also I had Lorne check his aura and he said Skip was telling the truth. Second, I guess is how. That is actually suppose to be your job. Sorry but, you have to read a Latin incantation, after placing the pendant around my neck. Yes I actually have to wear that hideous thing.

Buffy: Latin?

Angel: Buffy.

Buffy: Hey I was kidding. So then what happens?

Angel: Well once the spell has been cast, we have 24 hours of pure freedom. (smiles) Skip explained as the time goes by the stones will stop glowing until the last stone stops. When the final stone, the white one stops glowing the spell is broken and we are back to no touchy no feely.

Buffy: I am kinda thinking this thing is getting prettier by the minute.

Angel: I thought you might. Oh but I haven’t told you the rest.

Buffy: There is more?

Angel: Oh yeah. This may not be a one time deal. If we continue as we have, we may someday be given another day. As time progresses, the stones will begin glowing again one by one. When the final stone glows, we can cast the spell again.

Buffy: For another 24 hours?

Angel: Yes.

Buffy: How long will it take?

Angel: I have no idea, I guess it depends on us and our continued battles against the evil forces around us. We will just have to wait and see.

Buffy: So we are talking what weeks, months, years?

Angel: I don’t have any idea.

Buffy: Oh. But we have now and you have gone to a lot of trouble here. So am I suppose to fall into bed with you now?

Angel: Not yet I plan to make this night a night to remember.

There is a knock at the door. Angel goes to answer it

Bellboy: A delivery sir.

Angel: Thank you.

Angel loses the door and carries in a bottle of champagne on ice with two glasses. He carries it over in front of the fire. Buffy reaches in and plucks off the card.

Buffy: (reading) Hope this night is all you could ever imagine. Cordy and Gunn.

Angel: I do too.

Buffy: Should we?

Angel: Lets wait till a little later. All I want now is you.

Angel pulls her to standing position and begins kissing her neck. His hands caress her back. She tosses the box on the chair and reaches up for his face and redirects his mouth onto hers. Angel pulls back and looks in her eyes.

Angel: No more reservations?

Buffy reaches up and grabbing the lapels of his jacket and eases it off.

Angel: I guess that is a yes.

They resume kissing until he suddenly lifts her up and set her back in the chair. He kneels before and gently removes her shoes.

Buffy: Now I know why you requested the silk stockings……..and the teddy.

Angel: Did you?

Buffy: You will have wait and see.

Angel caresses her legs for a while than slowly removes the garters and stockings. Leaving feathery kisses upon her nude calves. When both stocking are gone he leans in and captures her mouth once again. Soon they are both aggressively seeking to divest each other of their clothing. He gasps when he discovers she did bend to his request on the teddy. When they are down to only undergarments, he reaches for hand and starts leading her toward the bathroom. She pulls back just long enough to grab the box. Buffy giggles when she sees the huge tub filled to the rim with bubble.

Buffy: Watermelon or raspberry.

Angel: You tell me.

Angel kisses her and slowly lowers the straps of the teddy. He plants kisses on her neck and shoulder. He removes her last article of clothing and picks her up to lower into the tub.

Buffy: Slow down, shouldn’t we? Uh before I get all wet.

Angel: You are probably right.

Buffy removes the chained pendant and the piece of paper containing the Latin incantation. She follows the instructions and carries out the spell. The stones glow even brighter for a few seconds.

Buffy: I guess that is a go.

Angel lifts her into the water. He sits on the side gently stroking her exposed shoulder.

Buffy: Are you coming in too?

Angel: In a moment, I like just watching you.

Buffy reaches over and strokes his thigh.

Buffy: Time is slipping away.

Angel: True, impatient little one.

Buffy: Get your butt in here or I am going to drag you in here .

Angel slips out of his last article of clothing and slips in behind her. He cradles her in his arms.

Angel: Better?

Buffy: A start.

She tilts her head back and he softly brushes his lips against hers until she rolls over to face him. She then savagely assaults his mouth. They cling to each other in passion. But when she attempts to end their years of frustration he stops her.

Angel: Not yet. But soon.

Angel gently rolls them so he is now above her. He smiles seductively.

Angel: I don’t breath.

He slides under the bubble. Buffy grabs the sides of the tub until she is beyond sanity. She reaches for him and pulls his mouth to hers. Angel pulls back and smiles.

Angel: I love you.

Buffy: Gonna show me how much?

Angel: Not very patient tonight.

Buffy: I am not going to live forever.

Angel: That is the truth, but you will just come back.

Buffy: Are we going to talk all night?

Angel: Maybe. (gasp) You vixen, watch your hands.

Buffy: Can’t see through the bubbles, so not an option.

Angel: That is it. You are mine.

Buffy: Pro(gasp)mise. Ohhh.

The night progresses into the day and back into the next night. With only a half hour to go, Angel looks at his love.

Angel: I need to remove myself from your presence before the spell is broken. Will you be okay if I head for the shower?

Buffy: Uh huh. I love you.

Angel: Why don’t you get our clean clothes out while you wait.

Buffy: Clean clothes?

Angel: Oh yeah I been shopping too, well with Cordy’s help. Love you

Angel heads for the shower. Buffy digs in to the bag. She is amazed that Angel has not missed a thing. from undergarments, to toothbrush, to boots.

Buffy: (to herself) That man don’t miss a trick.

Angel returns wrapped in a towel.

Angel: Your turn.

She grabs her stuff and heads to the bathroom. Angel quickly dresses and gathers their errant clothing and packs the bag. Buffy comes out fully dressed with their missing garments and black box in hand.

Buffy: Here.

As she hands them to him their hands touch. Both gasp from the brief contact. Buffy looks up at him and then her eyes are drawn to the pendant as the final stone flickers and goes dark.

Buffy: Times up.

Angel looks down and removes it. Placing it carefully in the box and slipping it into the bag.

Angel: Ready love.

Buffy: I guess.

She makes a face.

Angel: What?

Buffy: Next time leather pants not a good choice.

Angel: They look great.

Buffy: Look.

Angel laughs.

Angel: Wore you out slayer?

Buffy: Only away a man with as much stamina as me could.

Angel: Let’s get out of here and home to Conner.

As they are walking to the car in the Inn parking lot, two separate people are watching them from the darkness.

Later as they pull in to the driveway.

Buffy: One second. I want one more kiss.

Angel: My pleasure, but I am not leaving tonight.

© 2005 Tara