(no subject)
At damnskippytoo's request....
Title: Not At All
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Angel, Cordelia, the Scoobies Pairings: Angel/Cordelia with residual Buffy/Angel, Willow/Kennedy, Xander/Dawn, and mentions of Buffy/Spike Summary: Ten years after “You’re Welcome”, Angel’s new unlife with Buffy in Scotland is quite unexpectedly interrupted. Disclaimer: Most of the characters (sans Bella and Henry McAlister) aren't mine, but the situation is. Author’s Note: For the damnskippytoo and any lurkers, here’s the last chapter. A one-shot sequel and a multi-part threequel to follow.
Chapter 5 of 5
There’s a battle raging outside. He can feel the bustle in the castle, the rush of the Slayers running to defend the outer walls. And strangely, he’s not drawn to it. He feels perfectly content to take up guard of the Slayer child, to hold the hand she offers as she looks nervously to the door, waiting for her family to return.
When Becky rushes through the door, Kennedy, Willow, and Henry in tow, Angel finds himself unconsciously slipping into his new role with ease.
“Can she be moved?” he asks calmly, feeling Bella squeeze his hand.
Becky pauses for a second, considering the question. “She’ll need to stay in the sling. And if she’s moving, I’d like the cast on for another twenty-four hours.”
“Done. Get her ready to go. Anything you need to do. We leave as soon as Cordy gets back.”
As the others gape at the pronoun usage, he feels Henry’s hand slip into his free one, meeting the boy’s beautiful blue eyes for a powerful moment. The trust there brings a smile to Angel’s face despite the circumstances.
“I’m sorry,” Willow interjects. “We?”
“He’s coming with us,” Henry says authoritatively. “Doyle said you would.”
Angel squeezes Henry’s hand reassuringly and then releases it. “I’ve got some stuff to take care of. Look out for your sister?”
Henry nods.
“Hey there, Bella,” Angel smiles, smoothing blonde hair out of the girl’s eyes. “Henry and Kennedy are going to keep you company while Becky gets you ready to go. I’ll be right back.” He drops his voice, meeting her gaze. “Don’t let your mom leave without me.”
She smiles brightly. “Don’t be late, Angel. And don’t forget my clothes.”
With a final nod, Henry takes Angel’s place at Bella’s side and the ensouled vampire exits the room, grabbing Willow with him.
“Angel, are you sure?” Willow asks.
“More sure than I’ve been in a very long time. What did you come up with on protection spells?”
“Well, Cordy said no tattoos, so talismans should do the trick. I can make them strong enough that it should buy them a few months of anonymity. Enough for them to get lost again.”
“Us,” Angel corrects. “For us to get lost again. Can you make four?”
Willow meets Angel’s determined eyes and nods. “Sure. It’ll only take me a few minutes.”
“Good. I’ll meet you in the infirmary. Thanks.”
“Angel!” Willow calls to his retreating back. The vampire turns at the sound of his name. “Say goodbye to Buffy. Please.”
Angel nods. “Of course.”
***
“Angel! Where have you been? Willow told me you wanted to see me. Better make it quick; there’s an assload of vamps out there trying to get in. Though, Cordy just took out a dozen of them by glowing. Did you know she could do that…” Buffy trails off as she realizes Angel is quickly packing a few necessities and has a portable cooler sitting on their bed next to a duffel bag. She doesn’t need to see Bella and Henry’s newly cleaned clothes folded neatly in the bag to know what’s happening.
“Sorta,” Angel lamely answers her last question. “Buffy, I…”
“Did you pack enough blood?” she asks quickly, popping open the cooler and counting the packets of blood interspersed with the lunchmeats and canned goods and fresh fruit. “You don’t know when you’ll be able to…”
“Buffy…” Angel repeats, grabbing her hand. “I’m sorry…”
“Don’t be,” Buffy says with a sad smile and watery eyes, turning her face to his. She kisses his cheek and pulls away. “I’d do the same.”
Angel nods, kissing her lips chastely. “One last favor?”
“Anything.”
“Get word to Connor? Let him know I’m alive… well, undead, and that I’ll be unavailable for a while, but I’ll come to see him when I can.”
“He’ll know.
” “Thank you. For everything.”
With a final, sad smile, Angel’s gone.
***
In the hall outside Bella’s room, navigating the chaos of a fortress at battle, Cordy and Angel collide.
“You…” Cordy starts, steadying herself on his arms, narrowly avoiding a sprinting Slayer. Angel backs her against the wall, kissing her quickly, insistently. As they break apart, she finishes, a little confused: “Packed.”
“I’m coming. No asking this time. You need me. You want me. Doyle said.”
“Doyle said? Angel, what? Where?”
“In Henry’s dreams.”
“How the hell did you get into Henry’s dreams?”
“Don’t really know, but I was there. I’m coming.”
“Angel, no…”
The vampire grins dorkily, holding up duffel and cooler. “I already packed your clothes. And food. You have to let me come.”
“Angel…”
“No, no fighting me on this. I can help you protect them, raise them. You shouldn’t have to do it alone. And beyond all that, I love you and you’re not walking out without me again.”
“Are you done ranting, Broody Boy?” Cordy questions, the edges of her lips perking up into a smile.
Angel lets out an unneeded breath. “Yes, I think I am.”
“Good, because what I was going to say is, if you insist on coming along, you better get your dead ass in gear.”
They grin stupidly at each other for a few seconds, and then a rush of traffic in the hallway jostles them out of their reverie.
“I’ve got Becky working on getting Bella ready to go. She wants the cast on for another day and it’ll be in the sling. I’ll carry her. Oh, and Willow will be dropping off some protection spell talismans she says should buy us a few months.”
“Wow, you’ve really thought this out.”
“Not at all.”
***
After the fighting is over, the inner circle gathers to debrief.
As Andrew finds a seat, Giles clears his throat. “Good, everyone’s here.”
“We’re still missing Dead Boy,” an exhausted Xander contradicts.
“Angel’s gone,” Buffy says simply, acceptance in her voice.
“Whoa! Dead Boy’s dust and this is the first I hear of it?” Xander sits up straighter, upset.
“No, Xander. Angel left with Cordelia and the twins,” Giles clarifies. “They appear to have sneaked out during the battle. We can only assume they got away.”
“They did,” Kennedy pipes up. “I don’t know how, but I can feel it. They’re safe for now.”
“I gave them some protection spells that should give them some time to hide again,” Willow adds. “Good. Very good. We should keep an ear out for their whereabouts. Andrew’s and my research into this prophecy proved quite interesting.”
“Meaning?” Buffy asks.
“If the twins should survive into adolescence, the world will be a drastically different place.”
***
The cold rain is pelting his face, and the blonde girl in his arms shivers to try to fight off the damp freeze, but Angel has never felt more alive, more free in his unlife. Cordelia and Henry are getting them passage to the States on a nearby docked ship, one where Angel can spend the days hiding from the sun. Bella, whose arm has miraculously survived the truck ride to the port with no further damage, has her face tucked into his duster seeking shelter from the rain, but otherwise seems content.
Henry comes running, slipping and sliding through the puddles, across the street.
“We’re booked,” he says breathlessly, offering his small hand to Angel with inherent ease.“You ready?”
Angel nods, then notes Cordelia making her way across the street, mindful of the puddles. Having long given up on trying to stay dry, she’s soaked to the bone, hair plastered to her face, raindrops dripping from her nose. But she’s giving him that smile, that Cordy smile, and everything is right in the world. He has missed that smile more than he ever realized. She continues to smile and Bella’s small, strong heart beats above where Angel’s should be, Henry’s small, cold fingers are linked with his, and he no longer cares what is chasing them, that he’s signed himself on for a life of fighting and running and hiding. This is where he’s supposed to be.
Title: Not At All
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Angel, Cordelia, the Scoobies Pairings: Angel/Cordelia with residual Buffy/Angel, Willow/Kennedy, Xander/Dawn, and mentions of Buffy/Spike Summary: Ten years after “You’re Welcome”, Angel’s new unlife with Buffy in Scotland is quite unexpectedly interrupted. Disclaimer: Most of the characters (sans Bella and Henry McAlister) aren't mine, but the situation is. Author’s Note: For the damnskippytoo and any lurkers, here’s the last chapter. A one-shot sequel and a multi-part threequel to follow.
Chapter 5 of 5
There’s a battle raging outside. He can feel the bustle in the castle, the rush of the Slayers running to defend the outer walls. And strangely, he’s not drawn to it. He feels perfectly content to take up guard of the Slayer child, to hold the hand she offers as she looks nervously to the door, waiting for her family to return.
When Becky rushes through the door, Kennedy, Willow, and Henry in tow, Angel finds himself unconsciously slipping into his new role with ease.
“Can she be moved?” he asks calmly, feeling Bella squeeze his hand.
Becky pauses for a second, considering the question. “She’ll need to stay in the sling. And if she’s moving, I’d like the cast on for another twenty-four hours.”
“Done. Get her ready to go. Anything you need to do. We leave as soon as Cordy gets back.”
As the others gape at the pronoun usage, he feels Henry’s hand slip into his free one, meeting the boy’s beautiful blue eyes for a powerful moment. The trust there brings a smile to Angel’s face despite the circumstances.
“I’m sorry,” Willow interjects. “We?”
“He’s coming with us,” Henry says authoritatively. “Doyle said you would.”
Angel squeezes Henry’s hand reassuringly and then releases it. “I’ve got some stuff to take care of. Look out for your sister?”
Henry nods.
“Hey there, Bella,” Angel smiles, smoothing blonde hair out of the girl’s eyes. “Henry and Kennedy are going to keep you company while Becky gets you ready to go. I’ll be right back.” He drops his voice, meeting her gaze. “Don’t let your mom leave without me.”
She smiles brightly. “Don’t be late, Angel. And don’t forget my clothes.”
With a final nod, Henry takes Angel’s place at Bella’s side and the ensouled vampire exits the room, grabbing Willow with him.
“Angel, are you sure?” Willow asks.
“More sure than I’ve been in a very long time. What did you come up with on protection spells?”
“Well, Cordy said no tattoos, so talismans should do the trick. I can make them strong enough that it should buy them a few months of anonymity. Enough for them to get lost again.”
“Us,” Angel corrects. “For us to get lost again. Can you make four?”
Willow meets Angel’s determined eyes and nods. “Sure. It’ll only take me a few minutes.”
“Good. I’ll meet you in the infirmary. Thanks.”
“Angel!” Willow calls to his retreating back. The vampire turns at the sound of his name. “Say goodbye to Buffy. Please.”
Angel nods. “Of course.”
***
“Angel! Where have you been? Willow told me you wanted to see me. Better make it quick; there’s an assload of vamps out there trying to get in. Though, Cordy just took out a dozen of them by glowing. Did you know she could do that…” Buffy trails off as she realizes Angel is quickly packing a few necessities and has a portable cooler sitting on their bed next to a duffel bag. She doesn’t need to see Bella and Henry’s newly cleaned clothes folded neatly in the bag to know what’s happening.
“Sorta,” Angel lamely answers her last question. “Buffy, I…”
“Did you pack enough blood?” she asks quickly, popping open the cooler and counting the packets of blood interspersed with the lunchmeats and canned goods and fresh fruit. “You don’t know when you’ll be able to…”
“Buffy…” Angel repeats, grabbing her hand. “I’m sorry…”
“Don’t be,” Buffy says with a sad smile and watery eyes, turning her face to his. She kisses his cheek and pulls away. “I’d do the same.”
Angel nods, kissing her lips chastely. “One last favor?”
“Anything.”
“Get word to Connor? Let him know I’m alive… well, undead, and that I’ll be unavailable for a while, but I’ll come to see him when I can.”
“He’ll know.
” “Thank you. For everything.”
With a final, sad smile, Angel’s gone.
***
In the hall outside Bella’s room, navigating the chaos of a fortress at battle, Cordy and Angel collide.
“You…” Cordy starts, steadying herself on his arms, narrowly avoiding a sprinting Slayer. Angel backs her against the wall, kissing her quickly, insistently. As they break apart, she finishes, a little confused: “Packed.”
“I’m coming. No asking this time. You need me. You want me. Doyle said.”
“Doyle said? Angel, what? Where?”
“In Henry’s dreams.”
“How the hell did you get into Henry’s dreams?”
“Don’t really know, but I was there. I’m coming.”
“Angel, no…”
The vampire grins dorkily, holding up duffel and cooler. “I already packed your clothes. And food. You have to let me come.”
“Angel…”
“No, no fighting me on this. I can help you protect them, raise them. You shouldn’t have to do it alone. And beyond all that, I love you and you’re not walking out without me again.”
“Are you done ranting, Broody Boy?” Cordy questions, the edges of her lips perking up into a smile.
Angel lets out an unneeded breath. “Yes, I think I am.”
“Good, because what I was going to say is, if you insist on coming along, you better get your dead ass in gear.”
They grin stupidly at each other for a few seconds, and then a rush of traffic in the hallway jostles them out of their reverie.
“I’ve got Becky working on getting Bella ready to go. She wants the cast on for another day and it’ll be in the sling. I’ll carry her. Oh, and Willow will be dropping off some protection spell talismans she says should buy us a few months.”
“Wow, you’ve really thought this out.”
“Not at all.”
***
After the fighting is over, the inner circle gathers to debrief.
As Andrew finds a seat, Giles clears his throat. “Good, everyone’s here.”
“We’re still missing Dead Boy,” an exhausted Xander contradicts.
“Angel’s gone,” Buffy says simply, acceptance in her voice.
“Whoa! Dead Boy’s dust and this is the first I hear of it?” Xander sits up straighter, upset.
“No, Xander. Angel left with Cordelia and the twins,” Giles clarifies. “They appear to have sneaked out during the battle. We can only assume they got away.”
“They did,” Kennedy pipes up. “I don’t know how, but I can feel it. They’re safe for now.”
“I gave them some protection spells that should give them some time to hide again,” Willow adds. “Good. Very good. We should keep an ear out for their whereabouts. Andrew’s and my research into this prophecy proved quite interesting.”
“Meaning?” Buffy asks.
“If the twins should survive into adolescence, the world will be a drastically different place.”
***
The cold rain is pelting his face, and the blonde girl in his arms shivers to try to fight off the damp freeze, but Angel has never felt more alive, more free in his unlife. Cordelia and Henry are getting them passage to the States on a nearby docked ship, one where Angel can spend the days hiding from the sun. Bella, whose arm has miraculously survived the truck ride to the port with no further damage, has her face tucked into his duster seeking shelter from the rain, but otherwise seems content.
Henry comes running, slipping and sliding through the puddles, across the street.
“We’re booked,” he says breathlessly, offering his small hand to Angel with inherent ease.“You ready?”
Angel nods, then notes Cordelia making her way across the street, mindful of the puddles. Having long given up on trying to stay dry, she’s soaked to the bone, hair plastered to her face, raindrops dripping from her nose. But she’s giving him that smile, that Cordy smile, and everything is right in the world. He has missed that smile more than he ever realized. She continues to smile and Bella’s small, strong heart beats above where Angel’s should be, Henry’s small, cold fingers are linked with his, and he no longer cares what is chasing them, that he’s signed himself on for a life of fighting and running and hiding. This is where he’s supposed to be.