WEBSITE: http://www.angelfire.com/tv2/godfatherfic.html
DISTRIBUTION: Please ask.
RATING: PG
PAIRING: Buffy/Angel
SUMMARY: Buffy calls Angel to tell him about her mom and Angel comes to the rescue.
NOTES: This story takes place in an early but altered fifth season. Angel went away to Los Angeles to deal with Angel things. Whatever those may be. He and Buff are still dating, albeit long distance. Fifth season as far as the Dawn and Joyce thing has actually thus far occured. There is no Riley in this universe and Darla has thankfully remained dusted.
FEEDBACK: Please to: thegodfather7777@yahoo.com

It'd been a late night and he was exhausted. Covered in dirt, grime, blood and a substance he'd rather not have identified, he made his way towards the shower. As soon as the water hit his cool skin, he let out a noise that was a strange mixture between an audible sigh of relief and a strained grunt of pain. He could see the blood dripping down him and pooling at his feet just long enough to swirl and then disappear down the drain. He could only imagine how bad he looked. Ah, so there were advantages to not being able to look at ones' reflection in the mirror. Oh happy day.

He finally, and with much resistance, exited the shower. Angel chuckled lightly as he crossed the room, stepping over hastily discarded articles of ruined clothing. It wasn't like him to make such a horrific mess but it was understandable under the circumstances. Afterall, a night spent in the Los Angeles sewers hunting four foot tall demons who preferred to live in waste material because it gave them strength was not the best way to relax. And God, he could only imagine how Cordelia was reacting to all of this; the poor girl had been nearly covered from head to foot in..well..stuff. Hopefully Gunn and Wes wouldn't have too much fun at her expense.

Angel quickly swept up an armful of clothing and stuffed them into a large black plastic bag. He would toss them into the dumpster outside the Hyperion the next time he ventured out. He glanced over at the clock and saw that it was just after two in the morning. As he was gazing at the large digital clock on his nightstand, he noticed that the answering machine was blinking. He groaned for a moment, remembering the fight he'd had with Cordelia over keeping one of these beasts in his room. She had insisted that he was a public servant constantly on-call, he had protested that he wanted his quiet space, she had interjected that what he actually wanted was his dark brooding space. In the end, it had been, of course, Buffy who had settled the matter. She had insisted that since their schedules were so diverse and out of whack that her best chance of getting ahold of him was through his answering machine and did he really want other people to hear their private messages. A begrudging no from him had followed and that had been that.

He strode over to the table and with a quick deliberate jab, he hit the button that would replay the messages.

"You have three messages," the machine told him in that insanely chipper voice. The damn thing was practically laughing at him. It would have to be dealt with. Oh yes.

"Angel, this is Darren. I just wanted to follow up on that profile you sent me to have checked out. I think I might be able to help you ID your uh..ugly-boy. Give me a call."

Angel grabbed a pad of paper and scribbled the message down. Typically Cord would have relayed the message since the call would have gone to the front desk before being transferred to his room but since she had been out with all of them hunting in the sewers, well, he would have to do his own secretarial work.

"Hi. This is Bob Lewis of Tic-Tok Radio. Have we got a DEAL for you. Call back here within the next twenty-four hours and collect your super-duper prize package of an all-expense paid trip to the sunnnnnny Bahamas. The number is 555-1577. We can't wait to hear from you."

Angel groaned. Great, a trip to the beach. Just what every vampire wanted. He made a mental note to yell at Cordy for entering him in another one of her crazy contests.

"Hi honey. It's me. Buffy. But I guess you knew that already. Unless there's another honey. Which there had better not be. Because I'm the only honey. Right honey?"

Angel laugh. Buffy. Always her. She always made him smile.

"Um. Just got in from patrol. Wills is cleaning my wounds. I'm okay. Just this crazy whacko chick. She's not a problem though. I got it. Anyway, call me..when you get in. I..want to talk to you. I could really...I need to talk to you.. Soon. Um. Bye." There was a long pause and then she said softly, "Angel, I love you."

He stared at the machine for a long moment, his mind whirling. Something was wrong. That much he knew for certain. That much was fairly obvious. He wondered if she had found out more about Dawn, the strange creature that was some kind of powerful..something or other..that had been hidden in Buffy's care as her sister for safe-keeping. Buffy had taken a very strong protective edge to this girl and was likely to go postal if something bad happened...

***

Buffy Summers paced her bedroom anxiously. She knew that she should be sleeping. She was exhausted. All these nights that she had spent up worrying about her mom and Dawn were beginning to wear on her. But it wasn't like she could actually let down. She simply didn't have that luxury.

"Buff?" Xander said as he entered the room. He was carrying two bowls in his hands and a video under his arm. "Wills is on her way up. She couldn't decide if she wanted chocolate or strawberry. It's apparently a very difficult decision. She left it in the trust hands of inky binky bonky."

Buffy chuckled and took the bowl of chocolate ice cream from him. She kissed him on the cheek and gave him a quick hug. "My Xan. What would I do without you?"

Xander pretended to think, even going so far as to place his thumb under his chin as if to suggest deep thought. Finally, as if exasperated, he shook his head. "I just don't know, Buffster. I can't think of anything."

She punched him playfully on the shoulder, "You rat." Then she smiled almost sadly, "I'm serious though. I don't know how I'd be making it through this without you guys."

"You'd be making it," Xand reassured her. "You always do. You're Buffy and you're still the strongest person I've ever met. You've survived more things than anyone could ever imagine. You always will."

She smiled faintly at him. It was a nice thought even if it was not necessarily true. She knew what she was. She was a Slayer and that by nature meant that one day, her clock would give out and there wouldn't be anymore always. There would just be darkness.

Like that which her mom was facing.

No. No. No.

The phone rang. Buffy startled out of her morbid thoughts and stared at the ringing object like it was the most foreign thing she had ever seen in her life. Her gaze alone made Xander laugh. He plucked the phone up from the receiver and chirped, "Buffy's room."

"Uh. Hi. Is Buffy there?"

"Oh Angel. How are ya man. Did ya like the football game that was on earlier. You know it's been such awhile since you and I really sat down and talked. Have you changed your hair style?"

"Xander," Willow admonished as she entered the room. She took the phone from him and handed it to Buffy and then she gave his sleeve a quick tug. "Out." To Buffy she said, "We'll be downstairs. He's going to make me a milkshake. And then he's going to make Dawn one. And then he's going to do his milkshake dance."

Buff shook her head, "Don't...tell me. Please. It can only traumatize me."

Willow grinned at her and then disappeared, shutting the door quietly behind her. Buffy sighed and then placed the phone to her ear. "Hi."

"Hi baby," Angel breathed. "Are you okay?"

"I've been better," she replied, tears coming to her eyes. She brushed them away. She knew that she was going to cry. But not yet. Not this soon. A little more strength. God, please. Just a little more. That wasn't too much to ask for.

"What's going on? Is Dawn okay?"

"Yeah. Scared..but she's okay. Angel.."

"Baby, tell me what's going on," he urged, his voice still very low and calm.

"My mom.."

"Your mom? Is she okay? What happened?" Angel asked, a hint of shock entering his voice. Oh God, if some idiot vampire had hurt Joyce, there would be hell to pay...

"She's sick. Angel..she has..she has..." he heard her gasp as if she was swallowing back a sob.

"Go on, baby."

"Angel...she has..ca..ca..canc.."

"Cancer?" Angel finished for her, his voice dull.

This time she didn't even bother hiding the loud sob that exited her mouth. And then she began to cry. At first loudly and painfully and then finally softly and as if her strength was leaving her by the moment. He just listened, occasionaly whispering that it would be okay and then finally telling her softly to hang up the phone, close her eyes and that he would be there when she woke up. He kept repeating it until he finally heard a click and then he moved to his feet.

*****

Cordelia Chase looked up at the stairs as she saw her boss move very quickly down them. He sure looked like he was in a frantic hurry. He grabbed for his overcoat and began to pull it on. She immediately reached for him.

"Woah there..did one of the doodie demons suddenly decide to shower and then go for round two of the craporama playoffs?" Cordy asked, running her fingers through just washed wet hair. "Cuz..I'm out of this round..my hair may never work again.."

"Buffy." Angel said directly. "She needs me."

"Is she hurt?" Wesley said, stepping around the counter. He was wearing a pair of over-sized faded sweats. God only knew where he had dug those up.

"Yes. No. Kinda. Her mom is sick."

"Sick?" Cordelia asked, concern slipping into her voice. Whatever rivalry she had ever had with Buffy, she had also deeply respected the Slayer.

"Cancer. Joyce has been diagnosed with cancer," Angel replied, growing progressively frustrated the more he struggled to get his coat on. Cordelia stepped behind him, placed a hand on his shoulder to keep him from moving, straightened the jacket and then helped him into it.

Then, very quietly she said,"Need company?"

****

"You think she's going to be okay?" Xander asked suddenly, softly.

Willow looked up at him. They were sitting on the couch in the family-room of the Summers' house watching some creepy Indian movie that was even worse that what they were used to. And it wasn't very funny either. Or maybe neither of them were really in the mood to laugh. "Who are we talking about?"

"Buffy." Xander replied. "And Ms. Summers. And Dawn." He took a deep breath. "Buffy's not invincible and that demon chick she's been fighting has been taking quite a bite out of her lately. Now normally I'd be all yeah babe fight but.."

"But Buff seems off. She is off. Her mom is sick." Willow said. Then she smiled quickly. "But she's going to be okay. Tara and I are researching.." she stopped when she saw Xanders' look. "I feel like we have to do something.."

"But if it's natural.."

"Then we can't do anything," Willow admittedly sadly. Then, with just as much emotion, she stubbornly added, "But Ms. Summer will be fine. She's Summers."

"That's right," Xander said with a grin. "And them are strong stock."

"Yup." Willow replied.

"Yup," Xander repeated. Then he stood. "I'm uh..gonna go check on Dawn."

"Yeah," Willow said, flipping the television off. "I'm gonna call Giles and see if he's found anything."

*****

Buffy woke up at just after six in the morning, a persistant banging in her head insisting that she needed to wake up. Now. She moved slightly and bumped into something. Reaching her hand back, she ran her hand across what felt like a body. She turned quickly, already tensed and ready for a fight and stared directly into the chocolate brown eyes of her lover. "Angel," she breathed. "Oh Angel." And then with tears forming in her eyes, she threw herself into his arms.

*****

Cordelia gazed down at the sleeping fourteen year old girl on the couch. So this was the mysterious Dawn Summers. Angel had told her that only Buffy and Giles, among the Sunnydale crew, knew the truth about this girl. The rest all truly believed that she was Buffy's baby sister. Including Joyce Summers. But this strange but seemingly harmless brain-washing hadn't extended to the Los Angeles team so to Cordy, she was still a curious thing.

Sitting down on the couch, she touched Dawn's face. The girl blinked and looked up at her. And then her face brightened and she smiled. "Cordy!" Dawn chirped. She immediately propelled herself into the taller girls' arms. Instinctively, Cordelia stroked Dawn's hair. She glanced up at the doorway and saw Xander and Willow standing in it. She waved to them and then separated from Dawn. "Hi. Uh. How are you?"

Dawn just smiled weakly. How could she be? How could any child be? It was simply too much to understand. Parents were supposed to be invincible. Nothing could bring them down. At least in theory. Cord had learned how untrue that was the hard way.

"Mom will be fine. Buffy said so. Buffy's the Slayer."

Cord chuckled lightly. Dawn had the same blind trust and faith in Buffy that they all did. No matter how many times Buffy fell, no matter how many times it looked like she was done, the Slayer always managed to find a way to win. And God willing, she always would.

Unfortunately though, God didn't always have the last word in things.

Doyle.

Wasn't that the truth.

Jenny Calendar.

Sometimes the good guys don't win.

She took a deep breath. They still had Buffy and Angel. And as long as they had those two, there remained hope and reason to believe that everything would be okay. Eventually. No matter how long it took. Eventually. It would all be okay.

"Yeah," Cordy said softly, again stroking her head. Dawn gave her a faint smile and then groaned.

"They're still making me go to school." She got up from the couch and began to walk towards the stairs. Then she turned,"Mom has to be okay because this world is okay and they wouldn't do that to Buffy and I. Especially not Buffy. She's not one of the good guys..she is THE good guy. They wouldn't do that to her." And with that she finished climbing the stairs.

"Hey Cord," Xand said as he entered the room. "Glad to see you but uh.."

"I came with Angel. We got here about an hour ago. He already went upstairs." She looked from Xander to Willow,"What's going on?"

"Sit down," Willow instructed. "I'll tell you what we know."

*****

"And you have no idea who she is?" Angel asked softly. They were both lying on her bed, he rested against her pillows with her lying heavily on his chest. He was wearing a green and black faded flannel that he had pulled on in his hurried exit from his room. Now that he considered it, he couldn't recall where the hell the flannel had come from in the first place. It sure wasn't his. Far too bright and cheery.

"No. All I know is that she knows who..and what Dawn is..she likes to raise big stupid ugly snakes and she's kicked my ass twice now. Ouchies." Buffy replied, rubbing her shoulder.

"And what about this?" Angel asked, pointing to the discoloured flesh on her stomach. She had clearly been impaled with something and not too long ago either.

"Oh. That. Got staked. A couple days ago. Xander..uh.."

"Xander staked you?" Angel asked increduously.

"No. A vampire staked me. My stake. Xander saved me."

"You didn't tell me."

"I didn't think about it. A lot has.."

"Been going on. I know." He kissed her on the top of the head. "I hate you hurt. It scares the hell out me."

"Blinders, baby." Buffy replied softly, running her fingers over the light stuble on his chin. She leaned up and kissed him, closing her eyes tightly and letting the raw emotion explode through her body. It was nice. It was sweet. It was comfortable. It was a moment of a peace.

And it was he who reluctantly broke the kiss. He offered her a sad smile and then reached up and wiped a tear from her cheek. "I can't promise it'll be okay.."

"Please.."

"But I can promise that I'll be here for you no matter what. If you want me to stick around a couple of days, Wes and Gunn can handle the shop.."

No. You have things." She looked up at him. "Today though?"

"Yeah. Today. I know Cord wants to go see her mom."

"She should," Buffy said softly, sinking into his arms." Before she can't..."

"Buffy," he admonished gently, lifting her chin. He was about to kiss her when she jerked her head away.

"Dawn!"

"What?"

"I've got to take her to school." Buffy jumped to her feet. She began to quickly pull on her jeans, nearly tripping over one of the legs. He watched her with concerned amusement until she finally managed to finish dressing. She leaned over the bed and kissed him fully and tenderly on the mouth. "I'll be home in one hour."

"I'll be here," he promised.

"Good. I'm counting on it." She moved towards the door and then turned back, "I love you."

*****

"Angel?"

He looked up from the book he was reading through. It was Buffy's freshman psychology text and it was actually fairy interesting. To a degree at least. And then it became about as vanilla as one of these things got before they reached just downright dull. "Cord?"

"Do we win?"

"I don't understand.."

"My dad. I hate my dad." She paused. "I love my dad."

"I know," Angel replied softly, patting the bed. She looked hesitant for a moment and the took the offered seat.

"I haven't thought about him for awhile. I don't dwell. I'm not dwelling-girl.That's your job." She looked at him. "Aren't you going to ask then why now?"

"I know why now."

"Why?" she asked him, her voice for a moment very small.

He squeezed her hand," Because love or hate, you want the opportunity to be able to and you're scared that what's going on with Joyce could happen to your dad and then you'd never get to resolve those feelings one way or another." He replied. Then he smiled, "Or something." He lifted the psychology book and showed it to her. She laughed.

"Thanks. Just what the world needs; the first crime-fighting good-guy vamp who practices psychology during those long sunny afternoons when he's not brooding." Cordelia grinned.

"I'm a talented fella," he dead-panned. "Seriously.."

"Seriously.." she repeated, a chuckle escaping. She tried to mirror his stoic face but found it almost impossible. A face like that could only be achived through years of strenous practice. Sure, he hadn't had a mirror but practice he must have. The mere mental image of him sitting in a recliner grimacing at the ceiling as he imagined himself scowling nearly sent her into a fit of giggles.

He gave her a look that bordered on reproachful but was more humoring. "Are you going to listen?"

"I'm listening," she replied, setting her jaw. "Tell me Dr. Angel.."

He rolled his eyes dramatically and laughed. And then he squeezed her hand again. "You've got time."

"Until I don't," she replied, the humour slipping away.

"Until you don't," he agreed. "So why don't you..while you still do have time..do what you need to do..whatever that is.."

"What do you mean.."

"Something is bothering you." He smiled at her. "Do something about it." He paused. "Before you can't."

"Before I can't," she repeated. She leaned across and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you." Getting up, she left the room, shutting the door behind her.

He stared at it for a moment, "Thank you."

*****

It was a dark day. Well that was right anyways. She glanced around and noticed that a large crowd of people, all dressed in dark clothing, were gathered together around some object. As she moved through them, they all turned to stare at her, their gazes full of hatred and reproach. She heard one spit and another very audibly called her a bitch. She shook a bit but kept moving, determined to understand what was occuring.

And then she saw.

Her heart collapsed inwards as she stared at the casket in front of her. It was a dark brown, the wood undoubtedly oak. The lid was open and she could see that the insides were creamy white. Probably satin.

"M..m..mom?" Buffy Summers whispered, taking a step closer.

"Hello Buffy," Joyce said, suddenly sitting up in the coffin. Her face was pale and waxen, her eyes large and set deep into their sockets. They were deeply blood-shot. She reached an impossibly long hand up to touch her hair and moved it back into place. A wig. "They shaved my hair so they could do surgery. I died anyways.."

"Mom.."

"I loved you, Buffy. I did my best to take care of you. Sure I wasn't perfect. But how could I be? How could anyone be with you? But I tried.." Joyce sighed, as if she was tired. "And this is how you repay me.."

"No.."

"You can fight everything else. You can save everyone else. You let me die.."

"Momma.."

"Stop saying that. You let me die. You stood by and cried and you didn't do anything. This is your fault. You could have fought harder for me. You didn't. You didn't want to.."

"That's not true. I don't know what to do.."

"Liar. You know how to help everyone else..you let me die.."

"Mom..I love you.."

"Buffy.."

"You let me die..."

"Buffy..."

"Momma..."

"Buffy!" Giles shook her. He turned her head towards him and looked deeply into her exhausted eyes. "Are you alright?"

"Mom.."

"Is fine. The doctor is in with her. They're still doing tests." Giles brushed her hair away from her face. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see her..."

"The doctors told you she would be having tests done all day.."

"I know," Buffy admitted. "I just..I want to do something. Everyone keeps saying there's nothing I can do but Giles I'm the Slayer..there has to be something.."

He gave her a sad smile, "You are doing something, Buffy. You're keeping your family together so that your mother has something to fight for herself. And that is something more than you will ever understand. Your mom doesn't need monster slaying right now, Buffy..she just needs you.."

"It doesn't feel like enough," Buffy sniffled.

He smiled sadly, "I know." Taking her hand, he helped her to he feet. "Would you like me to drive you home?"

"No, the Cherokee is in the parking lot.."

"Can you drive?"

"I'm okay, Giles..I'm not disfunctional."

He wiped a tear away,"That's not what I meant."

"Yeah," she replied. "Angel's back at my house. I need a few moments to compose myself."

"Why?" Giles asked.

"Because if he really saw how much it hurts..how much I feel like a black hole..he'd never leave and I can't do that to him..."

Giles nodded, "Okay. Just..Buffy..we are here for you..it's okay to let us be."

"I will. Soon. Soon."

*****

She clutched him tightly against her, halfway to begging him not to go back to Los Angeles. But she'd been right when she'd told Giles the day before that she couldn't do that to him. He had things he had to do and people counting on him; this thing with her mother was bound to continue for an indefinate period of time.

"You sure?" he asked again, for about the millionith time. And again, for about the millionith time, she almost begged him to stay. Then she nodded.

"I'll be okay. You're two hours away by car and two seconds by phone." She looked up at him with wide eyes, "But expect me to be burning up those phone lines buddy."

"I do," he grinned, kissing her lightly. He glanced back at the stairs where Cordelia and Xander were sitting. She had her head rested on his shoulder and he was stroking her hair and talking softly to her. "Cord?"

"I'm ready..just figured the Titanic hour would continue for awhile.."

Angel gave her a look and sighed. Buffy just chuckled. She reached up and kissed him again, whispering in his ear, "I love you."

"Love you too," Angel replied. He pulled his jacket on, kissed her again and then moved through the front door. Cordelia stood up to follow up, brushing a kiss across Xanders' cheek.

"Cord?" Buffy said suddenly.

Cordelia looked up, surprised. "Yeah?"

"Thanks," Buffy replied. She opened her mouth to say something else and thensimply repeated herself, "Thank you."

Cordelia nodded, acknowledging the sentiment beneath the words. All of them. She flipped her hand back to wave at both of them and then beat a hasty exit.

Xander moved to stand next to Buffy, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "It's gonna be okay..."

She turned to look at him, smiled once and then buried her head in his shoulder.

*****

"It kills you, doesn't it?" she asked suddenly. They had drived almost an hour and a half in silence, the night twinkling around them in crisp black sheets.

He glanced over at her, "What do you mean?"

"Leaving her. Everytime we do one of these trips of she comes to see you..you get this look.."

He smiled at her,"I'm okay."

She nodded slowly, acknowledging that that was probably all she was going to get out of him. Angel had come a long way in how much he was willing to open up but the fact remained that he was still a very quiet man who liked to turn things over in his mind. That wasn't likely to chnage anytime soon. Reaching across the seat, she took his hand and squeezed it. He looked at her and smiled softly, the emotion received and gladly accepted.

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