FIC: Ghosts 3/5 (Buffy/Angel, R)

[carlyinrome]

TITLE: Ghosts
RATING: R
FANDOMS: BtVS/AtS
PAIRING: Buffy/Angel
SPOILERS: Post “NFA.” There are some aspects of the S8 comics-namely, location-but this story contains none of the comics’ original characters or plotlines. The sequel to If You Drive Me Back, though it isn’t really a prerequisite.
SUMMARY: I married my lieutenant.
AUTHOR’S NOTES:

Comments

[a2zmom]

A key to what indeed.

Loved that Faith is the one who is the most able to help Angel here. I don't know that he ever forgive himself or Buffy.

I'm nor com[letely sure why he took Kaya. Does he trust Buffy that little with her. Because he obviously remembers his less than steller job with Connor.

[carlyinrome]

I find it telling that Buffy's transgressions are smaller than Faith's, but Angel's more willing to forgive Faith. He doesn't take her sins personally, I guess.

You can find my discussion on Angel's taking Kaya here. I will say that I'm very surprised by the general reaction, and I'm afraid it's a failure on my end. :\

[dlgood]

I find it telling that Buffy's transgressions are smaller than Faith's, but Angel's more willing to forgive Faith. He doesn't take her sins personally, I guess.It's also an image/expectations thing. Angel sees Faith as flawed like himself, but not nearly so bad. He understands that she will make mistakes, isn't shocked when she does, and gets encouraged as she demonstrates progress. It's important to him that Faith be seen as forgiveable. (By himself, and others

[carlyinrome]

This is laden with excellent points. Thanks so much for making me think, Dave. :)

[stephanierb]

Oh man, that was a killer. I feel so much for both of them here. Angel's devastation is palpable; that scene with Faith broke my heart. And while I understand his anger at Buffy right now, it's rather unfair of him to hold this against her when she didn't really have any choice. It would bother me to think that he wouldn't forgive her, when she would have done just about anything to spare him this

[carlyinrome]

I'm so pleased that you're still enjoying these, and providing such detailed feedback. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it. Chapter four tomorrow; it's another long one.

and maybe that's what will snap Angel out of this.

Something needs to snap Angel out of it. He's being a brat. :P

You can find my discussion on Angel's including Kaya in his exodus here.

[carlyinrome]

I'm glad I continue to be engaging. As I was telling Holly: the bits with Faith are the reason I pushed to finish this story.

I find it interesting that everyone thinks Angel took Kaya as a stab at Buffy. It's not about Buffy. It's about Kaya. Angel takes care of her. "He kept to himself; he cooked, and gardened, and he took care of Kaya." "Usually Daddy made breakfast." Almost everything Buffy says to Angel about their daughter is a question. Angel is Kaya's primary caregiver. Buffy fights evil, and Angel takes care of Kaya. It's his job, and it's important to him, and he's going to continue doing it, insane with grief or not.

[a2zmom]

I didn't think him took Kaya to punish Buffy. But considering he now remembers how things went with Connor, I am not sure that he would continue to trust himself with her even if up til now he was doing a great job (and it seems like he was. It doesn't seem that Buffy has been all the nurturing.)

[carlyinrome]

I think you're crediting Angel with more ability to think linearly and rationally than I had imagined he would, given the situation. I conceived him as running a lot more on gut instinct. Though I could have just been short-sighted when considering the Laundry List of Shit Angel Now Has to Deal With, not giving his relationship with his son the weight it deserved.