Dedication: Hi, Stefi's Mom!! Hi Kasiya (and Kas says, "Oh, G~d!! Not
ANOTHER one!!!), Hi, Callista! A hearty "HI!!" to all others who gave us
feedback!! Hi, Kuby (yes, we know that this one is just as short, but we
WILL write a longer one, ok? Just for you!!) Hi, Zayaan!! You're still the
coolest. Hey Stefi! You ROCK!!! Hey, Kulthoom!! We WILL give a detailed
analysis of each character one day, ok? (Giles turns to Fay: Anyone we've
forgotten? Fay: Yes, we have.. Sarah Lee, The prson wh'o's identity is
"Dorkus" Sorry, I 'm tired, I can't remmebr names and to everyone else.. I
klnow I forgot names.but bare with me pls?
Distribution: The BA_Fluff List archives, Tinkerbell's Site
and our site
Giles: Yes I know. I've been busy as hell lately. I'll update the site when
I have a small chance to. Please forgive me for now.. I WILL get around to
it.) Anyone else, just say where. Thx:
Disclaimer: BAH!
Timeline: AU. (that's Alternate Universe, not Australia, ok?)
Author's notes: It's part of our fluffy series we've been doing. The series has no name. A golden statuette for anyone who can suggest a name!!
Buffy turned to Angel, anger blazing in her eyes. "No, Angel! This is my fight. I don't want you jumping into the middle of it and risk getting hurt! We've been through this already. You're not a super-hero anymore. Get over the whole saving the world trip!"
"Well I refuse to stand by and watch while you get hurt or maybe even killed, Buffy! I may not be a super-hero, but I do still care about you."
Buffy glared at Angel, her eyes betraying her frustration. She was breathing heavily, Angel noticed.
"And you show that you care by trying to kill yourself? Where would that leave me, Angel? Where?"
"I could return the argument, Buffy. This demon may be too much for you. All I want to do is keep you alive. I could have expected a bit more in the way of thanks."
"Thanks?" Buffy's voice was incredulous as it rose a few octaves. "THANKS? Angel, I never will forgive you for dying. Never. If you die because of this demon then the only one who's left to blame would be me for letting you get killed, and there is no way on earth that I'm gonna let that happen."
"You wouldn't be 'letting' me die, Buffy. I have free will too, remember?"
Buffy gave a scream of pure ire and stormed out the door, slamming it behind her. Angel stormed back into his chair and sat there, listening to the gentle tattoo of drizzle on the roof.
Buffy walked. She didn't care where, as long as it took her as far from Angel and the argument as possible. The drizzle trailed down her hair and across her cheeks. Maybe they could even have been mistaken for tears.
Buffy stopped in the darkened street and just stood there, regaining her breath from the argument. What was he thinking? She thought to herself. She looked around. This IS my fight. I don't want him getting killed. Why does he always have to be so righteous? The thoughts burned in her mind. Why does this place look so familiar? The question puzzled Buffy, and drove all thoughts of her argument with Angel out her mind. She took a few steps forward. The sound of waves crashing against the beach-head came to her ears. Completely drenched, Buffy walked forward towards the pier. Has it been so long? She asked herself. How could I have forgotten? That day was one of the happiest days of my life. Her memory brought back an image of Angel, standing in the sunshine, unhurt. The first day I saw him human again..
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"Hey," he said. His smile in the sunlight was one of the most treasured memories in Buffy's heart.
"Hey," she replied, a smile coming to her lips. "How.?"
"It's kind of a long story."
Buffy walked into his arms and pulled him closer, hugging him so tight he had to hold her back slightly, but only ever so much so. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the top of her head.
"I almost can't believe this is real," Buffy almost sobbed.
"Believe."
They stood there for a while just enjoying the warmth of their love in the sunshine. Finally they separated, and Angel asked, "So what do we do now?" Buffy looked down at the long stretch of white sand and held out her hand.
"Walk with me."
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Buffy leaned against the railing overlooking the beach, her clothes sticking to her body. The beach below roared with each wave that crashed onto the sands.
"Hey," a voice said behind Buffy.
"Hey," Buffy replied.
There was an awkward silence for a while. "I'm sorry." Buffy said nothing.
"I don't mean to make you worry about me, Buffy. I do realize that I'm human, and I can't always defend you. Think about how it makes me feel to know that I'm helpless now against the forces you fight. I want to be a solid point in your life, Buffy, someone to hold on to when life gets rough, and somehow, I don't feel that you need me quite as much as you used to, and that hurts me." Angel's voice dropped to almost a whisper. "It hurts more that you could know."
Buffy was silent for a moment longer. "I do love you, Angel. And I do need you more than I need anyone else in this world. But more than anything, Angel, I need you to just be there for me. You ARE a solid point in my life. You're someone I can depend upon when I need a comforting pair of arms, or when I just to sleep without demons plaguing my dreams. You're more of a comfort, more of a rock in my life than you could ever know." A hoarse laugh escaped her lips. "I understand that you still want to protect me, Angel, but physical protection isn't what I need. I just need you."
A warm pair of arms circled her waist from behind, and warm lips kissed her wet neck.
"I'm here. I'm always here."
Buffy's hand came up to his face and stroked his cheek. "Thank you." They stood there in the darkness, just enjoying each other's company. Finally, Buffy broke the silence. "What do we do now?"
Angel paused. "Walk with me."
Feed us please? Thank you! You're the bestest.
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