Alone At Last

[watchknight]

I finally figured out that the demon was communicating telepathically by the way my armor was wigging out. It made me curious as to what she might actually be saying, but maybe I was lucky that I didn't know. Suddenly she cast a spell and we were both blown backwards. Landed hard, I heard the sound of screeching metal as I skidded across the

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[abby_j_summers]

“Yep, just dandy..."

I blew my hair out of my face and stared down the now deserted alley. Her smoke and mirrors get away might have been a tad more shudder inducing if it wasn’t for the stupid final message. I mean really... ‘Child’ my ass!

“Guess that means we won... Yay?”

Okay, maybe not, but the good thing was that she was gone. The bad thing was that...she was gone... Ugh, she’s definitely one deja vu I can live without. Once back on my feet I rolled my shoulder over in its socket then bent down and picked up the dagger I had been given before its would-be target made her not so awe inspiring bamfing act. Sweet little thing...kind of a shame to see it go unused. But I’m sure this thing has seen its fair share of action in night gone past. I’ve never really been a hardware girl myself. No, I am an avid follower of the K.I.S.S. rule. Keep-It-Simple-Stupid. Stakes aren’t just for vamps. You’d be surprised how many things you can off if you aim at the vitals. But, apparently tonight put a slight bump in my theory. It was a fluke...

“Well, you wanted her gone, and I think she’s as gone as she’s going to get without being dead. Or, there’s a possibility she’s invisible.” Looking around questioningly, I really hoped that wasn’t the case...

After inhaling a deep breath I sighed and shifted around in my ill-fitting dusted uncomfortably. “Look, before you go and get into...whatever it is that you came here for...I just wanted to apologize. I shouldn’t have left things the way that I did the other night, so...I’m sorry. That was just kind of a crazy night all 'round, and I needed to get away and clear my head.”

Standing in front of him now, I handed him his dagger and finally managed to look directly at him.

[watchknight]

I looked around the alley skeptically. Won? Well...we hadn't lost...but victory most certainly wasn't ours. Why did I have the feeling that the demon was going to be bugging us again?

"I do not believe so."

Nodding, I reached out with my holy sense...and detected the demon moving away quite rapidly. She was in fact, not invisible.

"No, she has gone. You need not be concerned."

She grew very uncomfortable then, and my concerns for her grew. But it yurned out to be only our private matters that were making her uncomfortable.

"No apology is neccessary Abbigail. You did not do what anyone else has ever done to me. I'm quite used to it all by now."

The dagger I had given her was handed back, and I stared at it a moment. Holding it back out to her, my eyes fixed on her's.

"Keep it, for next time."

Now it was my time to be uncomfortable...for it was time to say what I had to say.

"Abbigail, I must apologize to you as well. It was unfair to lay all my problems upon you, then expect something from you that you were not prepared or ready to give...and that I did not deserve. I also should not have revealed that which you had entrusted to me to Dawn and...that other girl. Even though the revealing of it was accidental, and that let her know everything already. I had to tell her...as Dawn is the Key Bearer, the one I am sworn to serve."

Taking a step back, I took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. Feeling better now that I had said that, my eyes lost their bravery and I looked down and away.

"Though...I have not stopped thinking about you since...not for a single moment..."

[abby_j_summers]

Can't say I didn't see his 'No apology is necessary' thing coming a mile away. I think I wanted him to be mad...not exactly sure why, but then again theres a lot of things I do that I'm not sure of.

I nodded lightly, pocket the dagger then set my gaze back to him. Why the hell was he apologizing to me? Rather then protest, I just...listened without interrupting. Once his apology came to an end I shook my head in disagreement.

"You didn't do anything wrong. I was just...ugh, it doesn't matter what I was. And the whole 'Dawn' thing...like you said, it was an accident. Besides, I was in the process of telling her anyway, kind of. I-I mean I would have gotten to it...eventually. So I guess you just...saved me the trouble. But, as a precaution, you don't happen to have any Psychic connections to anyone else by any chance do ya?"

I smiled half heartedly, but it fell soon after he delivered his final statement. Once again, I found myself at a lack for words. I can verbally bash a demon with witty banter till I'm blue in the face, but why was it when I needed it to work the most my voice decided take a vacation? I remembered the last time it happened... He said something, I stayed shut, and because of that...he went away...then I went away. Rather then have this conversation come to a similar ending, I hugged him. I would have said sorry again, but even that didn't come out.

I loathe the whoever the buggar was that first said 'silence is golden'...

[watchknight]

She took the dagger back and pocketed it. I would feel better knowing that she was a little better armed. It seemed as if she wasn't as upset as I had imagined she would be...though that did nothing to relieve me of my guilt.

"I am connected to Spike...though I am aware of that connection, and am shielding from him many things, including my knowledge about you."

That was unlikely to please her, knowing that her father might be able to find out. After my admittance, I kept my gaze focused away. I was sure she would get angry or maybe even just leave again. So I was very surprised when I felt her hug me. Wrapping my arms around her, I turned my gaze upon her again.

"I'm sorry Abby, I really am. Can you...do one thing for me? Please? You are all that I can think about...you've fallen into the shards of my heart, and I've begun falling for you. I need to know now if there is any chance of a 'us'...if you feel anything for me. I need to know before things go too far and I get too attached to you. I can't get hurt again...I won't survive another heartbreak."

Pausing, I rubbed her back slightly as I held her in my arms. For all I knew, this may be the last time I ever held her.

"It is alright if you say no...I will survive. Please...just give me an answer. Tell me to go or that we're just friends...give me an answer and settle the matter...lay may heart to rest. I'm not asking for a commitment or a relationship, I'm just asking because I need to know how you feel. Be honest..."

[abby_j_summers]

“Well, he’s not really receptive now is he? You could sit down with him and spell it out in plain English what you know about me...and he’d probably still be skeptical. Think we were both daft even. Oddly enough, Dawn on the other hand acted as though she’d been through this all before...like it was an everyday occurrence. It was weird...”

I rested my head against him, my eyes closed, and I was content feeling the simple rising and falling of his chest as he breathed and the sound of his heart. Opening my eyes I looked up at him once again as he spoke. I grimaced as be began with yet another apology that wasn’t necessary, and as he continued I could feel my eyes begin to burn due to tears that seemed to accumulate with each sentence he spoke.

Once he had finished I lifted my head and quietly took everything he said in. Placings a finger to his lips I inhaled a shaky breath before beginning.

“Please, stop apologizing...”, I looked directly at him, my eye pleading to his. And I kind of had expected him to apologize for...apologizing. Hence the covering his mouth before he got the chance to do so.

“I do like you...a lot as a matter of fact.... Maybe that’s what weirded me out before, ‘cause I never felt this way about anyone. The last thing I want to do is hurt you..."

I finally took my hand away and rested my head against him once again.

"As far as 'us' goes...technically, I'm not allowed to have any boyfriend-ish type things until I'm married..." My dad, he has the logic of...well, my dad... "But, every rule has an exception."

[watchknight]

"He is rather thick headed. He doesn't have the heart you do...and as for Dawn, well, it was probably easier in her mind to believe you because you're family."

I felt her head rest against me...and I felt my chest go numb. To have her show such simple affection...need...for me...it was more then I could ever hope for or deserve. I had to tell her though, and she looked up and grimaced at me. I hadn't really expected her to smile, but still...I was about to continue, starting with another apology when she placed her finger over my lips. It was warm and surprising and it shocked me into silence.

She wanted me to stop apologizing...and I was tempted to do just that. It looked like I was going to make her cry...shouldn't I apologize for that? Finally I just nodded, not wanting to upset her further I would follow her wishes. She told me...she liked me...alot...and she finally took her hand away. Resting her head against me again, I just stood there...still shocked into a silent stupor as I digested everything that had happened.

"Abbigail..."

I didn't want this to end. Things were so peaceful now holding each other and her head resting against me. I was content with this new life...finally...

"...I love you. Do I have your permission to court you? Do not worry about your father, he is my friend and I am sure I can make him understand."

[abby_j_summers]

Nodding in agreement, I sighed.

"Yeah, and that would be the nice way of putting it. But I don't think his heart is the problem. Actually, I know it isn't. His ego just usually gets the better of him. He does have a 120 sum odd year reputation to keep..."

My mind drifted to Dawn momentarily. I really hoped her outward seemingly unaffected demeanor was not just a mask to hide any inner turmoil she may have harbored on the matter.

I turned my attention up to him once again as he said my name. When he continued I could feel my face begin to blush. After a minute of listening to what had followed the name echo over in my head, I leaned in and kissed him gently. Letting my lips linger against his for a moment I then broke the kiss and looked at him.

"I love you too..." I whispered my response then smiled. It had been the first smile since arriving that wasnt forced to cover some underlying bitterness, nor had it been provoked by me beating some random big nasty into a bloody pulp...

"Permission granted."

Sighing slightly, I nodded once again.

"Well, if you plan on chattin' him up I wish you luck...and patience. Mostly the second one..."

[watchknight]

Her face was so beautiful as she blushed, and I hoped that it would not be the last time I saw it. She leaned in, and her lips met mine gently. Closing my eyes, I lived in this moment as the kiss lingered. It ended all too soon for me, and I opened my eyes to find her focused on me. It was my turn to blush as she said those words I had yearned to hear from her. Smiling shyly, the surety in my heart that she was the one, my soulmate and true love, were finally vindicated and confirmed.

Powers how I loved her. She was so amazing...her smile that could change from cocky to gently amused in a flash...her long blonde hair that billowed about her like a halo in the inner city breezes of Los Angeles...her kind, brave heart and boastful confidence...her quiet pain and self-doubts...I loved it all. I loved everything about her, good and bad. How she made me love her...how she had made me hurt. As my heart swelled in my chest, I realized that I could never live another day without these things. Without her by my side...without the rising and falling of her chest and beating of her heart in sync with mine...

"I will not let you down again if I can ever help it."

Hearing her sigh, I brushed my face slowly and gently against her's.

"It will be alright...I have great patience. Abbigail...you don't have to be alone anymore. There are so many here that love you and will love you if you let them. We're here for you...ready to help...all you have to do is open up and let us in."

Kissing those sweet lips again, I let it linger before breaking away and breathing in...

"Abbigail...are you ready to go home? They are all there...there will never be another chance like this. I...I will be beside you...will never leave you."

[abby_j_summers]

Tilting my head I smiled as I watched his face redden a few shades. It was too cute. Cant say I’ve ever managed to make a boy blush before. Actually, I cant even say I’ve seen a boy blush before. First time for everything...

When he said everything would be alright, in that moment, that was all the reassurance I needed. I believed it wholeheartedly, along with everything that followed it. But, the serendipitous course of events seemed to be put on pause with the rising of his final question.

Turning my attention away from him and to the mouth of the alley, I debated with myself internally. I fear little, or...so I thought. But coming face to face with my father while here had been the scariest thing I’ve ever done... And now I’m being asked if I want to go through that again? Not to mention the fact goddess knows who else is there. And, no, keeping my distance couldn’t be vert productive of me, but it was safer... I guess I figured if I wait long enough, eventually it would get...easier?

"No..." I shook my head while returning my focus to him. "...but...I'll go anyway."

And look, there went my sense of better judgement... Never did use it much anyway.

[watchknight]

I watched as her internal debate waged. Did she want to face her family...or avoid them at all cost? Fate seemed to be bringing them together anyways, so I hoped she realized that it might be best to have it done on her terms when she wanted to do it. She answered no...and I began to nod when she continued speaking and finished.

"I will be with you the entire time, and if things get to be too much then we can leave together."

Smiling confidantly as I gazed into her eyes lovingly, I slipped my hand into her's.

"Do you know where the house is already or do you want me to lead the way?"

[abby_j_summers]

"You promise?"

I gave a cocky smirk which just server as a mask to hide some inner doubts I retained on the situation I'd just gotten myself into.

With our hands linked I started away from the alley, though in all actuality, I wouldn't have minded staying there...which was kind of a first. Giving his hand a slight squeeze I nodded some.

"I do know where it is... I've been there once since arriving here. Well...technically I was across the street, but still."

He doesn't really need to know about the whole...falling asleep on a strangers front lawn and the conversation I had with a sprinkler system...

"I was there right before I met you in the graveyard actually..."

[watchknight]

"I promise."

Holding hands, we walked out of the alley. When she squeezed my hand, I turned and smiled at her.

"Never went inside? Well you didn't miss much. It's rather drab inside..."

Smiling at her to let her know that I was joking, my eyebrows rose in surprise at what she told me.

"Really? You were?"

Remembering our first meeting, I smiled at the memory of her leaping from gravestones.

"I liked you from the first moment we met. Though your graveyard activities had me doubting your sanity at first..."

Kissing her cheek, my eyes glittered teasingly at her as I grinned playfully. We were getting closer to the house...I knew she had the strength to do this. Not physical strength, inner strength.

[abby_j_summers]

“You thought I was crazy? Not the best first impression...”

I frowned a bit, but the expression quickly faded as I failed to manage keeping in my laughter.

“Are you always so calm and accommodating when insane girls decide to follow you for no particular reason?”

Why was it that when you were in no real rush to get somewhere you seemed it get there quicker, whereas if you were really antsy to get somewhere the trip seemed to drag on endlessly? Stupid odd unexplainable happenings of the universe.

As we rounded the the block that lead to the house I could feel my stomach begin to knot.

[watchknight]

"No...I guess not."

I was worried that I had offended her, but her frown soon turned into laughter. Now it was my turn to frown...till I heard her question, then I chuckled.

"Just to the cute ones."

Shaking my head, we rounded a corner...and their it was. The house was in sight, and I could sense Abby tensing beside me.

"It will be alright Abby. They will love you...there is nothing to fear."