Noel: A Miracle in Three Parts (3 of 3)
Part Three:
Hadraniel looked down at all the doings in Sunnydale as he savored his extra portion of Ambrosia. He watched as Spike prowled around his crypt clearly anxious over his beloved’s state of mind.
Tara was sleeping peacefully for the first time in ages knowing that Willow was finally going to be on the right track and that there was hope for the future once again.
“These two both deserved something for themselves. They both used their earned wishes for the benefit of others.”
Micah eyed the lost-to-a-bet treat with a wistful sigh. “They got what they asked for. I didn’t do a thing to twist either of them.”
“Not accusing you of any such thing!” Hadraniel looked appalled at the very idea. His friend might be more somber than he was...all of that responsibility over divine purpose and all...but Micah's heart was pure and intentions always were for the absolute best. It was a more rewarding and agreeable job being in charge of love and Hadraniel knew how fortunate he really was to have that duty.
The two Angels looked in on Buffy Summers who by all rights should have also been sleeping as peacefully as Tara. Instead she sat on her bed with her knees drawn up hugged in embrace by her arms. She had a thoughtful though not troubled look on her face.
Micah felt compelled to intrude on her private thoughts to see what the cause of her sleeplessness might be. He truly did want the vampire’s selfless wish to have been a success. Ordinarily he wouldn’t think of invading someone’s privacy but it was his duty to know that all was well with the girl after all.
It seemed that the information Tara had shared had given the Slayer much to think about. The fact that her improving situation was due to a wish made by Spike had taken her by surprise. Buffy wasn’t so much troubled as she was busy re-evaluating so much of what she had assumed, believed and taken for granted for years.
It was no secret to the Angel that this Slayer was wildly attracted to the vampire. It was also an established fact that the two were actually good for one another when they didn’t allow their worst instincts to run the show.
It appeared that Buffy was finally accepting that Spike did genuinely love her and that the love was the sort that one could build upon. Suddenly the idea of admitting to her attraction didn’t feel so wrong after all. Perhaps the vampire would have a bit of a miracle himself as this all played out.
Micah smiled at Hadraniel and pointed out his thoughts to him. “So my old friend you might just get what you wanted as well. Humans, even of the undead variety, will always have free will but it looks like Miss Summers might just decide to listen to her heart once more and start building to that happy ending you are always trying to bring about for everyone in your care.”
Hadraniel grinned in near bliss. He clapped his hands together, “Oh wouldn’t that be wonderful! It’s been an age since one of our Slayers got past the nonsense they were taught and found their proper partners in the realm of demons or vampires. She has always been a special one too. I have a feeling that is one reason that He,” the Angel pointed up, “kept her hidden until she was called. Lots of true potential there.”
Micah nodded in agreement. “The lovely Tara is also blessed. By joining her love and training with her she should live a long life instead of becoming payment for Willow’s Karmic debt,” he shuddered. The dark magic and forces called upon to demand the return of Buffy Summers had a hefty price tag attached, one the arrogant witch had not been aware of. Micah had been using every bit of his influence and power to undo that mess.
“She will help Willow grow in her abilities in a wise way. She will temper the worst impulses of Ms. Rosenberg as well. The end result should be two very powerful and useful forces for the side of good.”
“T’was a good thing Tara told her story in front of the Watcher too,” Hadraniel pointed out. “He been given a different view of this particular vampire as well. Much to think about! I don’t think he’ll be as quick to discourage Buffy’s eventual decision where Spike is concerned.”
A brief look as sadness crossed the genial Angel’s face. “Poor girl hasn’t been fortunate in her love life. First that idiot Whistler put the cursed vampire in her path! Angel has his good points but he is far too self absorbed and single minded to ever be good for Buffy even if the curse wasn’t so unstable.” He shook his head sadly. “Big difference between those two vampires.”
Micah nodded in agreement. “Yes Angel has a far different destiny. Believe me I’ve had more than a few harsh words with that smelly agent of the Powers over his incorrect conclusion in answer to the direction that he bring a helper to the new Slayer.”
Hadraniel had witnessed at least one of the altercations and felt a twinge of sympathy for Whistler. He supposed that the agent’s choice of Angel had seemed logical to him at the time. Who could have predicted Spike after all? Well maybe Hadraniel could have since he’d had his eye on the boy since he was young William Pratt and every bit as unlucky in love as Buffy had been.
“That other fellow was a disaster as well,” Micah broke into Hadraniel’s thoughts. They both chuckled a bit at the memory of the lackluster Riley Finn. "That boy is living in the wrong century! How he ever thought that Buffy Summers was the perfect girl for him is a mystery that even an Angel cannot solve!”
His friend agreed readily. “Indeed. The idea of Buffy as a meek and biddable wife waiting at home for her heroic husband to come for his laurel wreath would be laughable were it not for the fact that he made her feel inadequate because she didn’t fit that mold.” Both Angels frowned at the damage the boy had done in trying to make a woman over into their definition of a perfect mate instead of moving on and finding someone more suitable.
“Spike did try to explain it to him. Buffy is the Slayer; she does need a bit of the supernatural in her partner. Like everything it's all in the balance.”
“Well he might be an ill mannered lout but that vampire of yours is insightful.”
“He’ll help keep Buffy alive a good long time too,” Hadraniel offered. With Micah’s biggest concern being divine purpose he knew how important that aspect would be to him.
“True. Buffy has quite the destiny to experience and she’ll need a strong partner to ensure she not only survives but does so with at least a modicum of happiness. She deserves that at least.”
“But she was dead and in heaven? How is it she has this grand destiny and that was permitted?”
Micah gave a half grin. “Well let’s just say that no one can pull someone from their heavenly reward without full approval from THE Power. There have always been plans for this Slayer, big plans and now she can start to get back on the path she began to walk before meddling Agents, melodramatic cursed vampires, encroaching hero want-to-be’s and insane hellgods created mischief.”
He clapped Hadraniel on the back good naturedly. “Things are headed the right direction now across the board. Looks like your happily ever after desires might be doable after all,” he pointed to the scene playing out on the earthly plane.
Buffy shuffled her feet and transferred the unopened bottle of her mom’s best Scotch from hand to hand. She had no idea why she felt so nervous. Maybe it was a bit of guilt for all the horrible things she had said to Spike lately, the emotional wounds she had inflicted. A last minute Christmas present was the least she owed him especially after that awesome wish he made that was already improving her life so much.
Spike sensed her on the other side of the crypt door. He waited fully expecting the door to be kicked in as usual but instead she merely stood on the other side until he couldn’t stand it any longer and opened it nearly getting a fist to the nose in reward as she prepared to knock.
“Hey, hey! Didn’t do anything to deserve another busted nose Slayer,” Spike backed up quickly.
“Sorry!” Buffy looked horrified. She was only planning to knock on his door respectfully for a change. She hadn’t expected the door to fly open and her fist come within a millimeter of Spike’s face! “I wasn’t trying to hit you.”
Spike motioned her inside. “What do you need Buffy.”
Now there was a loaded question. She had a boatload of needs most of which Spike could meet if she were being honest with herself and with him.
“I brought you a Christmas present,” she offered the unwrapped bottle of Macallan. “Also I was wondering if you’d like to come to Christmas dinner...well it’s a day late but it still counts. Dawn would love to see you. She misses you.”
Spike blinked in shock. “Um...sure, Pet? You okay?”
“I’m really doing better than I have been in a long time and I’m told I have you to thank for a lot of it.”
“Don’t understand.”
“Tara told us about some Angels and wishes.” Spike would have blushed if capable.
“Giles is back and he brought a lot of things that helped make things better right away. He's staying too.”
Spike gulped. He had wanted to be the one to make Buffy’s life better but knew that wasn’t likely even with all the wishes in the world. It was good that the Watcher was back and had matters in hand though. He knew the toll Giles leaving had taken.
“Don’t think Rupert will be thrilled seeing my mug across a table.”
“My table,” Buffy reminded him. “Besides you might be surprised. Giles heard the story too. I think he’s more inclined to at least be polite to you than you’d expect.”
Spike raised both eyebrows. “That so?”
Buffy nodded. “Hey, we were actually friends there for a while.” Buffy DID blush. “Well before I started using you.”
Spike reached out a hand but didn’t touch her. She could be as skittish as a newborn colt after all and Spike didn’t want to lose this pleasant moment. “‘S okay by me Buffy, whatever you need. Not usin’ me if I’m agreeable to bein' used.”
“What I need is to not use the people who love me.”
Spike gulped. Did this mean she finally believed his feelings were real? Did this mean that she might care, if only a little?
The two messed up lovers gazed tenderly at one another a bit unsure of how to take the next step. Not even really sure what that step should be.
Buffy lowered her gaze. “I need my friend back.”
Spike couldn’t resist, “Friend with benefits?”
Buffy held back an the impulse to immediately agree. I mean the issue was fabulous Spike sex after all. Still she wanted things to be right this time. No dirty secrets. No mixed signals. No skipped steps.
“Maybe in time. I have things to sort through,” Buffy saw the hopeful look on Spike’s face and realized this was the sort of crumb he had been longing for from her. He was so very hard to resist when he showed his heart in his every look. “I want things to be right this time. If … when it does happen I mean.” He gasped in surprise and not a little awe.
She shrugged and gave him a grin, “I think there are some things that are just meant to be.”
Spike looked gobsmacked. The smile he gave her made her almost believe there was a soul in there somewhere.
“Easy Slayer, you might just make this vampire believe in miracles.”
In the heavenly realm Hadraniel sighed with joy. Things looked to be headed just the way he liked them.
Micah spoke sounding nearly like he was quoting scripture, “She shall look upon him with forgiveness and everybody will forgive and love. He will be loved.”
“Yes. Now they can both get some much needed rest, eh old friend?”
~fin
A/N: Obviously the final lines are directly from Douglas Petrie’s script from Beneath You (although it is on record that the actual shooting script had a major re-write by Joss Whedon who is likely the one responsible for that scene).
Noel: English speakers borrowed the word noel from French. It can be traced further back to the Latin word natalis, which can mean "birthday" as a noun or "of or relating to birth" as an adjective. (The English adjective natal has the same meaning and is also an offspring of natalis.).
Source Merriam Webster
Hadraniel: Hadraniel's name means "majesty or greatness of God." He is the angel assigned as gatekeeper at the second gate in heaven. His mission is to awaken our memory of eternal love, Angel of love.
Micah: Micah watches over spiritual evolution, seeking every opportunity to reveal God's Divine Plan and reveal the next steps of our Life purpose, Angel of the Divine Plan.
Source: http://www.drstandley.com/angels_micah.shtml
Hope you all enjoyed this wee tale and that you all have a very Merry Christmas and blessed holiday no matter what or if you celebrate.