Forever, Always, and Then Some

Chapter 88

 

Buffy: Hand me the baby and go get dressed.

Angel: Who died and left you queen?

Buffy: (smirks) Want me to answer that?

Angel: No.

Buffy: Please, just get dressed. I don’t think you want to meet Emily like that.

Angel: True.

He hands Conner to Buffy and heads upstairs.

Faith: What’s the deal? He looked fine to me.

Buffy: Faith, please keep comments like that to yourself from now on.

Faith: Sure B.

Buffy: You said you were hungry. I have plenty of sandwich fixings. See what you can find.

Faith: Now you’re talking.

Faith heads to the kitchen. Buffy sits down to rest with Conner.

Crystal: Uh Buffy can I talk to you.

Buffy: Sure thing. Come sit.

Crystal: Well this is kinda hard to say. I hope you don’t get mad or think I am crazy.

Buffy: I know you too well to think that.

Crystal: Well, there is something about Angel. Something strange.

Buffy: Strange? How?

Crystal: Well he makes my skin tingle.

Buffy: Tingle? Are you telling me you have a crush?

Crystal: Oh, no. Not that kind of tingle. More like a creepy tingle.

Buffy: Oh. What are you saying? He can’t scare you.

Crystal: No, he is nice and all but when he walks in the room I get a strange sensation.

Buffy: Every time?

Crystal: Every time since I met him at the Bronze.

Buffy: Does it happen other times?

Crystal: Yes. Occasionally. Like when I am out, I get this feeling. So its not just when Angel is around, but it is always when he is.

Buffy: So others make you feel this tingle.

Crystal: I guess.

Buffy: Who else?

Crystal: You are not acting like I am crazy.

Buffy: No, I am trying to help. Who else makes you feel tingly?

Crystal: Not sure. Well except.

Buffy: Come one.

Crystal: Well about two weeks ago I felt it and tried to track it down. I was upstairs at the Bronze and I tried to figure out who was causing it. Well I found what I thought was two couples making out.

Buffy: But it wasn’t?

Crystal: No.

Buffy: What was it?

Crystal: Not sure how to say this. It was well there were these, ugly people. Their faces were all distorted like monsters.

Buffy: What did you do?

Crystal: I ran.

Buffy: Glad to hear it.

Crystal: Buffy, that was the same night all those people died. And I think they did it.

Buffy: Then I am really glad you ran.

Crystal: I can’t believe I told you. I have been too scared to tell anyone. But you don’t treat me like I am crazy.

Buffy: Because I know you’re not.

Crystal turns around as Angel walks in.

Buffy: Now that is more like it.

Angel: Glad I meet your approval. Now can I have Conner back.

Buffy: Of course. I need to make a call. Crystal, please stay. I need to talk to you some more. Why don’t you join Faith if you are hungry.

Crystal: Okay.

Buffy goes upstairs and dials the phone.

Giles: Hello.

Buffy: Hi Giles.

Giles: Buffy?

Buffy: That’s me.

Giles: Is anything wrong? Is everyone okay?

Buffy: Don’t panic Giles. Everything is fine.

Giles: Good. Glad to hear it, but I do assume you called for a reason.

Buffy: I did. Remember you explained to me how the Watcher’s Council has a list of the names of all the future slayers.

Giles: Yes, I do. Why?

Buffy: So you can check out the name of a future slayer.

Giles: We are not talking Caitlin I assume.

Buffy: No. I know she is on the list. Wish she wasn’t.

Giles: I can understand your concern. But Buffy it is out of our hands. Now are you going to tell me why the sudden interest in the slayer list?

Buffy: I just wondered if you can see if a particular name is on the list.

Giles: I am a bit confused. You suspect a girl might be a slayer? In Sunnydale?

Buffy: In my living room. It’s my baby-sitter.

Giles: Your baby-sitter? Now what makes you think she could be a slayer.

Buffy: Because her skin tingles when Angel is around.

Giles: Her skin tingles? I am not understanding the significance.

Buffy: She can sense a vampire.

Giles: Not very conclusive but I guess I can check. What is her name?

Buffy: Crystal Matthews. She is 16 or 17.

Giles: So she would not be the next in line. Faith is what 19 now?

Buffy: Should be. I am 21 and she is two years younger.

Giles: I guess Kendra would have been 20 this year.

Buffy: I guess. Can you check the name and call me back?

Giles: I guess but why do you want to know?

Buffy: Because she came to me because she thinks she is crazy. She witnessed a vamp attack and is too scared to even tell anyone. Not that it would do any good.

Giles: You don’t intend on telling her?

Buffy: I will if I think it will help. I sure wish someone had told me before I actually had get out there.

Giles: I see. Well let me check. I will trust your judgment on this.

Buffy: But you are not telling Nigel or Quentin?

Giles: Never.

Buffy: Call me.

Giles: Bye.

Buffy: Bye

She hangs up and goes down stairs.

Buffy: How are my boys?

Angel: We are fine. How are my girls?

Buffy: Happy to have you home.

Faith and Crystal walk in.

Faith: Girlfriend you know how to stock a kitchen.

Buffy: Not me, its Willow and Dawn.

Faith: Oh well good eats either way.

Buffy: (m to Angel) Are you hungry?

Angel: (m) I can wait.

Phone rings.

Buffy: Hello…… so I was right. …. Yes……….. Yes, I know I am………..You said you trust me. I will call you. ………..She will be here after while. Bye Giles.

Angel: What Giles want?

Buffy: He was looking something up for me.

Angel: That is who you called?

Buffy: Uh huh. Angel, Faith, can you excuse Crystal and I for a few minutes. We can go to my room.

Crystal: Uh okay.

They go upstairs

Buffy: Sit down. I need to tell you something important. Very important.

Crystal: Is it about what I told you? Are you having me sent to a hospital?

Buffy: What? No way? You are not crazy. But you are special.

Crystal: Special? As in different.

Buffy: Very different. But not bad different. We both are different.

Crystal: I am not following you.

Buffy: Okay this is the story. Gosh not sure where to start. First off the guys you saw at the Bronze, were not human. They were actually vampires.

Crystal: What? Buffy.

Buffy: I know I said the same thing first time someone tried to tell me vampires were real. Well they are. Now I know you don’t probably don’t know too much about the vampire history and legends. But there are vampires and ever since there have been vampires in this world there has been the vampire slayer.

Crystal: What?

Buffy: The slayer is the one girl in all the world who possesses the skills and powers to fight and kill the vampires and the demons.

Crystal: Is this the plot to a comic book?

Buffy: How I wish. But it is real. I learned about the slayer and her role when I was only fifteen. When I was told I was the slayer.

Crystal: You are this powerful girl.

Buffy: That’s me. Well back to my story. Marrick, the man who told me. Was my first watcher and he started teaching me what I needed to know. Training me. But he was killed and then I moved here and met Giles. He is my watcher now.

Crystal: And you are still the slayer.

Buffy: Actually, the only way to get a new slayer is for the current one to die. Problem is when I was sixteen, I drowned. But I was brought back. But it did cause the next girl to be called. Kendra.

Crystal: So there are two of you? You and Kendra?

Buffy: No Kendra died and then Faith was called.

Crystal: Oh her.

Buffy: I know, Faith takes getting use to. But we need her here right now since I am out of commission.

Crystal: What’s wrong?

Buffy: Sorry, I thought you knew. I am having another baby.

Crystal: Cool. But Buffy why are you telling me all this?

Buffy: Because what you said about those vampire’s making your skin tingle. That is a slayer thing. A slayer is able to sense when a vampire is around. It happens to me too.

Crystal: So why is it happening to me?

Buffy: Because one day you will be the slayer. Not now but in the future. After Faith and one other girl is gone. Then your turn will come.

Crystal: How do you know?

Buffy: After you told me about the ability to sense a vampire I called the Watcher’s Council and they told me.

Crystal: That was the phone call?

Buffy: Yes. Now I am ready for questions. I know what your first one is.

Crystal: How could you? I don’t even know.

Buffy: Oh, I was expecting you to ask about Angel.

Crystal: Oh, I am sorry, I am so confused.

Buffy: You want to know why he sets off your vampire radar.

Crystal: Radar? I guess it is. So why does he?

Buffy: Easy because he is a vampire, but not an ordinary one.

Crystal: He doesn’t look like those guys. He is way too cute.

Buffy: Vampire’s only look like monsters when they are attacking. They usually look quite normal. And in Angel’s case quite good looking.

Crystal: So there are good vampires and bad vampires.

Buffy: No just one good vampire. Well unless we count Spike.

Crystal: Spike?

Buffy: I will explain him later. The reason Angel is no evil is because over 100 years ago he killed a young gypsy girl.

Crystal; A 100 years ago? How old is he.

Buffy: He is 275.

Crystal: Oh.

Buffy: Well a hundred years ago he killed a gypsy girl and the gypsy elders cast a curse upon him that restored his soul. And with a soul came a conscience. He became unable to harm humans. He now actually kills other demons. He is seeking his redemption.

Crystal: Oh. Did he kill a lot of people.

Buffy: Oh yeah, he has a lot to atone for. But he working at it every day. That is one of the reasons we don’t live together. He has to stay focused and there is a lot of people who need his help in LA. And well with Sunnydale being built on a hellmouth, the slayer must stay here.

Crystal: Sunnydale is built on a what?

Buffy: The hellmouth. A gateway to hell. Which we need to assure stays closed. But because of its mystical energy, it attracts a lot of creatures of the underworld.

Crystal: Like vampires?

Buffy: Exactly. Now I need you to tell me more about the two at the Bronze.

Crystal: The vampires?

Buffy: Yes, they did a lot of damage and I need to try and track them down so we can dust them.

Crystal; I assume you mean kill them.

Buffy: Yeah, but since they are technically dead already, killing is not an accurate term.

Crystal: Already dead?

Buffy: Yes. They are non as the undead. They don’t breath, their hearts don’t beat. They are animated corpses.

Crystal: Angel is dead? Wait a minute, what was that you said to him earlier that I thought was weird?

Buffy: The part where he asked who died and left me queen?

Crystal: Yes, I couldn’t understand your answer and his reaction.

Buffy: I asked him he really wanted me to answer and he said no.

Crystal: You were joking about him being dead?

Buffy: And he hates when I do that. But he set himself up for it. Now about the ones at the Bronze. Uh wait a minute. Is your skin tingling?

Crystal: How did you know?

Buffy: Because Angel is outside the door. He better tell me what he wants.

Angel opens the door and smiles.

Buffy: Emily here?

Angel: Yes, are you two finished?

Buffy: Almost, we will be right down.

Angel leaves.

Crystal: No way is he dead.

Buffy: Well would you like to meet a member of the Watcher’s Council?

Crystal: The ones who train the slayer?

Buffy: Yes, Emily is here to help me with Faith. Long story but Faith kinda lost her way a few years ago. She is seeking her own redemption of sorts. But she has a problem with authority so I am going to be her watcher until after Caitlin is born. Emily is going to help me with the paperwork. Keeping the records and such.

Crystal: They actually keep records?

Buffy: Yes. The watchers keep diaries. Comes in handy. Since a lot of the vampires and demons live longer than we do. Can help to read the history. Actually that is how I learned Angel’s past. Not something he likes to talk about.

Crystal: I guess not. So Emily knows about me?

Buffy: No, unless Giles called her.

Crystal: What does she look like?

Buffy: Young, red headed. Kinda of scholarly. But cute. Let’s go.

They go downstairs.

Buffy: Hi Emily. Sorry to keep you waiting.

Emily: That’s quite alright. I am a bit early.

Buffy: Where is Faith?

Angel: Eating.

Buffy: Still?

Angel: Want me to get her?

Buffy: Just tell her to join us in the dining room. Crystal? Emily?

The three go in the dining room.

Emily: So that is Angel. Not at all what I imagined.

Buffy: Dare I ask.

Emily: I don’t know, he is quite handsome. And very polite.

Buffy: And you expected an ugly mean cruel monster?

Emily: Well not exactly but his history is quite vivid.

Buffy: Term history. Lets live in the future.

Emily: I suppose. But aren’t you concerned about the curse.

Buffy: No, we can’t live our lives in fear. We know out limitations. Let’s leave it at that.

Faith enters.

Faith: Sorry folks. Just have not had good food in a few years.

Buffy: Fine, can we get down to it. I guess I should introduce every one.

Faith: I think we all know who each other is. But what is the baby-sitter doing her?

Buffy: About to get to that. Emily, did Giles call you?

Emily: Actually he did. So this is the young girl. And I assume you told her the truth.

Buffy: I did. That is the first thing we should discuss. What we want to do with this new knowledge and if Crystal even wants to do anything.

Later.

Angel is playing with Conner when there is a knock at the door. He answers is.

Angel: Hello.

Gwen: Uh, hi. Is Buffy here?

Angel: Just a sec.

Buffy: Hey Gwen.

Gwen: I am sorry I couldn’t make it earlier.

Buffy: No problem. But they are done?

Gwen: Oh yeah. Got them right her. (she holds up a leather case.

Buffy: Lets go in the living room.

Angel: Want me to leave?

Buffy: Not on you life.

Gwen: Take it this is Angel.

Buffy: Oh yeah.

Gwen: Well which you want first?

Buffy: With Conner.

Gwen: Here. I had it framed like you asked.

She hands her the framed picture.

Buffy: Here honey. This is for you to take to LA.

Angel stares at the photo of his wife and son.

Angel: This is wonderful. Did you take this?

Gwen: Yes, but I had two excellent subjects.

Buffy: Angel sit down.

Angel: Why? What are you up to.

She takes Conner and places him in the playpen and takes the first photo and places it on the coffee table.

Gwen hands the second photo to Buffy.

Buffy: This one is not framed because it is for your eyes only.

Angel: Let me see.

She hands him the sensual photo of his wife lying in her teddy amongst satin pillows. His face speaks volumes.

Buffy: Are you okay?

Angel: Yes, just in awe. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.

Buffy: I bet you say that to all your wives.

Angel: Buffy.

Buffy: You like it.

Angel: I love it. But it is definitely for me only. (m) You look good enough to eat

Buffy: (m) I hope that was sexually and not literally.

Angel: (m) Biting and sucking….but not blood.

Buffy blushes.

Gwen: You two going to stare at each other all day.

Buffy: Sorry, we just have been together so long we communicate sometimes without talking.

Gwen: Never heard that one. Well I need to be going.

As Gwen stands up to leave, she slips Angel a piece of paper. Buffy walks her to the door, then heads to the dining room. Angel open the paper.

The note says: If you would like to return the favor and give Buffy a picture of yourself, call me and we can arrange an appointment.

Her number is on the paper.

He stuffs the note in his pocket and gets Conner for more play time with daddy.

Angel: You have a very special mommy, you know that?

Conner: dada dada.

Angel: That’s my boy.

He goes in the kitchen and fixes something to eat. He sits down on a stool to eat.

Angel: I know, daddy has a weird diet but daddy is just weird. I hope you will someday understand.

Buffy walks in. She slips up behind him and steps on the crossbar so she can nuzzle his ear.

Buffy: He will accept everything about you. You are his daddy.

Angel: I hope so.

Buffy: We never judge the ones we love.

Angel: I guess.

Buffy: On that note. Just wanted to let you know, the new shower curtain I put in upstairs, allows one to see the silhouette of the occupant.

Angel: So.

Buffy: So I saw you last night. And would have loved to help you.

Angel swallows.

Buffy: We never judge the ones we love.

Angel: Can we change the subject?

Buffy: Sure. Would you be interested in doing a little training with Faith?

Angel: Sure. Now?

Buffy: Yes.

Angel: I need to change, but what about Conner?

Buffy: He can go. I have a playpen and toys there already. He used to go and watch me workout before it became a no-no. Plus Anya watches him on occasion.

Angel: Conner, want to go watch Daddy?

Buffy: Give me the kid and get changed. I will pull the van up for you.

Later in the back room of the Magic Box.

Crystal: This is cool. You actually train here?

Buffy: I did before I got pregnant. But Faith will get some use out of it.

Faith: Angel are you ready to get your butt kicked?

Angel: A bit cocky are we?

Faith: Been awhile but I can take you down.

Angel: We’ll see.

Angel and Faith throw some initial blows. Buffy makes a few comments in a coaching manner.

Faith: Buffy, you are taking this watcher thing.

Buffy: Said I would. Now quit pussy footing around and do some damage.

Angel: Come on Faith, I thought you were going to hurt me.

Faith: I will, just trying to figure your weak spots.

Angel: I have none.

Buffy: Quit talking.

Angel and Faith begin trading blows. Buffy makes an occasional comment. After awhile she steps back and watches. She looks for somewhere to sit and walks over and sits on her horse. After a few more blows Angel glances over and sees her sitting there. His mouth opens and Faith takes the momentary lapse to land a powerful kick sending him crashing into the wall. As he sits on the floor leaning on the wall he looks at Buffy. He growls and gets up heading for. Buffy suddenly realizes what is wrong.

Buffy: Oh shoot.

She leaps off the horse and runs into the store area. He chases her and she rounds the table. With the table between them he growls again.

Buffy: Sorry, it was an accident. I didn’t mean to.

He chases her around the table. She finally makes a break for the front door and the daylight but he catches her first and looks around. He drags her through the door to the basement. Halfway down the stairs he pushes her against the wall and begins to ravage her mouth with his. His tongue penetrating the deep recesses of her mouth. His hands restraining her against the wall. She surrenders to his demands. Her hands slide around his neck. After a few moments he pulls back and looks into her eyes.

Angel: You feel so good.

Buffy: You too. But honey, I am sorry about the horse but why the wild chase.

Angel: Because I needed out of there fast.

Buffy: What?

Angel: Sweat pants don’t hide things well.

Buffy glances down.

Buffy: I see you point.

Angel: Cute.

Buffy: I would love to give you a hand with your big problem but then it might become pointless.

Angel: Full of puns aren’t you.

Buffy: Always. I am kinda known for it.

Angel: Well I just need a moment before going back in there.

He sits on the steps. She sits beside him.

Buffy: I am sorry.

Angel: Not your fault but that dream was so memorable.

Buffy: The word is hot.

Angel: That too.

Buffy: So here we sit in the basement, discussing our pseudo sex life.

Angel: Better than no sex life.

Buffy: I guess that is true. So have you finish figuring out how far we can actually go before you get too happy.

Angel: I think we have gone far enough.

Buffy: Oh because I keep having this all consuming need to ….never mind.

Angel: What?

Buffy: Do to you what you do to me.

Angel: You keep talking like that and we will be trapped here forever.

Buffy: Sorry, but can we discuss this later.

She lays her head on his shoulder.

Angel: Yes, later.

He kisses the top of her head . They sit quietly, each in their own thought. Anya opens the door.

Anya: Good, you are not having sex. That is a good thing.

Buffy: No we aren’t. Is there something we can help you with?

Anya: I just wanted to tell you that you have a visitor.

© 2005 Tara