Destiny - Chapters 9 & 10
Oct. 29th, 2003 03:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
psubratAuthor: PSUbrat
Rating: PG-13 Some language and violence
Disclaimer and spoiler warning: These characters belong to Joss Whedon and whomever else he sells them to, I'm just borrowing them for a while. This story is part three of a trilogy and is based upon the alternate universe I created in Reset.
Update List: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Destined_Fic
Summary: Dawn refuses to answer Angel's questions while Buffy and William meet with some unexpected visitor...
Timeframe: Immediately following "The Exchange"
A sense of urgency surrounded them in the hallway. Dawn backed up against the cream-colored wall. If she could have become one with the plaster, she would have - gladly. The girl with the southern accent recognized her from the portal. So many thoughts raced through her mind...she kept hearing this name, Connor. She had no idea who that was. Could it be Steven? No, it couldn’t be. She looked nervously from Fred to Angel who was now staring at her intently.
"Dawn, how do you know Connor?" Angel demanded as he grabbed her by her shoulders.
She tried to shake him free but his hold on her was strong. "Let go Angel! I don’t know anyone named Connor!"
Still holding onto Dawn, Angel whipped his head around and looked pleadingly at Fred. "Are you sure, Fred?"
Fred nodded. "Angel, you know I never forget a face."
He began shaking Dawn, not hard but not gently either. "Dawn you have to tell me. Where is Connor?"
"Angel I already told you! I don’t know anyone named Connor!" She was becoming very frightened of him. The look in his eyes was overwhelming pain. She wished she could tell him what he needed to hear, but she couldn’t tell him what she didn’t know. She closed her eyes and began thinking about Sunnydale, hoping a portal would open. She felt the electricity flow through her but something was wrong, terribly wrong.
Angel dropped his hands as the electricity began to crackle and pop around the teen. He took a step back and pulled Fred behind him to protect her from whatever it was Buffy’s sister was doing.
"Angel," Fred said softly, putting her hand on Angel’s shoulder. "You’re scaring her. This isn’t going to get Connor back."
Suddenly, Dawn slumped against the wall. She was exhausted. Why? Maybe she couldn’t open more than one portal a day? Her head hurt, not to mention every inch of her body.
"I’m sorry," Angel said, running to her and helping her to her feet. "It’s just that we’ve been looking everywhere..."
"Who is Connor?" Dawn asked weakly.
Realizing that no one from Sunnydale knew anything about his tryst with Darla, let alone his son, Angel just shook his head. "We’ll talk about that later. Why don’t you get some sleep?"
Dawn let Angel lead her into the room next to Fred's. "I’m sorry if you’re missing someone you love. I wish I could help you." She collapsed on the bed and pulled the covers over herself.
"Thanks. If you need anything, just yell. Goodnight, Dawn."
"Goodnight, Angel." She fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow. All memories of school starting the next day were gone, along with her worries of contacting Buffy.
Buffy and William lay together in the afterglow of their lovemaking. She was resting against him with her head on his chest while he slowly ran his hand up and down her arm. He couldn’t believe that she was still here with him; she hadn’t gotten up and left immediately afterward. This had to be a dream it just had to be. How else could he explain it?
Buffy let her mind wander over the last hour. She never thought, in a million years, that this would happen. Feelings of safety, contentment and love washed through her. She felt complete, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.
"Spike?" Buffy asked gently.
"Yes, Luv?"
"Is this for real?"
He kissed the top of her head and held her close. "I was just asking myself the same thing."
"Can I ask you something else?"
"Sure can."
"What do you want me to call you? I mean, to me you’re always going to be Spike, no matter what."
He looked down at her. She was lazily running her finger in circles on his chest. He thought about the answer for a moment and then, giving her head another kiss, responded. "I would rather you call me William. My mum gave me that name. It’s a good name. Spike is a monster’s name."
Buffy sat up quickly and looked him in the eyes. "You’re not a monster, Spike."
"But I was. What I did to you..." He choked back the tears. Even now, he couldn’t keep the images of that night from flooding his mind.
"Spike, listen to me, please. What happened that night...you just tried to reach out to me. I shut you out and I shut myself down. I was scared..."
He was about to say something, but she quieted him by brining her finger to his lips.
"Shhhhh. Just listen. I was scared of my feelings for you. What you tried to do was wrong. It was, but I knew you didn’t mean it, not in that way, not after I saw the look in your eyes after I kicked you across the room. It took me a long time to come to that realization. I forgave you, almost immediately, but it took me longer to forgive myself for driving you to that point and for doing the things that I did to you."
He couldn’t believe his ears. She was giving him absolution. "Pet, you didn’t deserve that, not from me, not from anyone. I’m thankful that you’re forgiving me." He said sitting up and pulling her to him tightly.
She smiled warmly at him and then got a twinkle in her eyes. "I’m so still calling you Spike, but promise me no more bleach. Ever."
He growled at her and she giggled. It was the first real laugh he had heard from her in a long time, and he was the cause of it. He pulled her down to him for a passionate kiss. Immediately, it turned to more.
Angel closed the door slowly after he turned off the light. He walked down the hall to where Fred was still standing, her arms folded across her chest.
"Angel, I know that was her with Connor."
"I’m sure you’re right, Fred."
Suddenly a thought occurred to her. "What if she doesn’t know him by Connor? What if he goes by Steven there?"
Angel’s face became dark at the thought. "Go get some sleep Fred. When Cordy gets here, I’ll have her talk to Dawn. I’m sure she’ll be able to get through to her."
"What are you thinking, Angel?" She was concerned that his brooding mood was back. She understood that they needed to find Connor; after all, the boy did try to kill him.
"Say that he is going by Steven, say that Dawn knows him. Why is he in Sunnydale? Something had to lead him there. He wouldn’t just go there."
Fred nodded her head in agreement; the boy had to have a reason. "I’m sure we’ll figure it out in the morning, Angel. Cordelia will talk to her and we’ll find Connor."
"I hope you’re right. Otherwise, I have this feeling that someone’s going to get hurt." He looked over and caught Fred’s gaze. He could tell that his friend was concerned for him. "I’m fine, Fred."
She glared at him.
"I am. Go to bed. We’ll talk in the morning."
Reluctantly, Fred turned and went into her room, closing the door behind her.
Angel leaned up against the wall and hung his head. Good thing he didn’t sleep at night, there’s no way he could now even if he wanted to.
The phone at the Summers’ house continued to ring off the hook. Angel looked at the phone intently. Where could Buffy be, especially at this hour and with her sister missing? Maybe she was still out looking for her. In that case, at some point, she would probably meet up with the others at the Magic Box. He would try there next. He pulled out his phone book and dialed the number. After a few rings, the machine picked up.
"Hello," a cheery female voice greeted him. "You have reached the Magic Box, the finest and most extensive magic shop in Sunnydale. If we don’t have what you need, we’ll get it for you! Our hours are Monday through Friday, nine a.m. until six p.m., unless we’re out averting an apocalypse. Please call back during regular business hours or better yet, visit the shop and spend lots of money!"
Angel smiled. He had heard quite a bit about the former vengeance demon and about her penchant for money. Nice message. As soon as the beep ended, he began leaving his own.
"Hi...uh...this is Angel. I just wanted to let Buffy know that Dawn is here with me, in L.A. I guess you guys are out looking for her. Well you can relax because she’s safe and sound. She, uhm, opened a portal or something and then got stuck here. She’s sleeping in one of the guest rooms right now and I’ll bring her up tomorrow night. Give me a call to let me know you got this message. Bye."
He hung up the phone and stared at it. Did he just sound like a fool? Why did he always seem to get all worked up whenever he thought about Buffy? His thoughts drifted to Cordelia. How was he going to explain his relationship with one of Buffy’s not-so-close friends, especially after he had given Buffy the excuse that he was leaving because he wanted her to have a normal life? He knew that Riley had left her, she had told him that herself. It was right before her mother had passed away. But he hadn’t heard a thing about any new men in her life; so telling her about Cordelia was going to be even harder. He wouldn’t be at all surprised if she tried to stake him afterwards.
Oh well. He knew he was going to have to tell her at some point, about everything, so it was going to be a little sooner than he had anticipated. He sighed. This was going to be one hell of a trip.
Buffy stood in the desert feeling sand beneath her bare feet. The sun was shinning brightly and a slight breeze was blowing. She was dressed in a white flowing tunic, same as in her previous dreams. Instead of walking alone, she was walking hand in hand with William. They were both silent as they wandered the dunes, not really knowing what they were searching for but knowing that they had to be somewhere important. Suddenly, Joyce appeared before them.
"Mom!" Buffy cried as she ran towards her.
William stayed back to let the mother and daughter have their reunion.
"Buffy sweetheart! It’s so good to see you!" Joyce threw her arms around her daughter and hugged her tightly.
"Mom what are you doing here?"
She ignored Buffy’s question and turned her attention to her daughter’s companion. "Hello William," Joyce said with a bright smile as she motioned for him to come over to her.
William walked over to Joyce and let her hug him.
"It’s so good to see you two together. I’m so proud of you Buffy..."
"Don’t be proud of me mom. I’ve lost Dawn..." Buffy’s tears began to stream down her face.
"Shhhhh," Joyce comforted. "Dawn is fine. She’s with Angel in L.A."
"With Angel? How?"
"Buffy, I don’t have much time. Just know that she is safe. You have bigger problems to deal with now. You must listen to me carefully."
Buffy nodded as she pulled William’s arms around her.
"You already know who is coming, don’t you?"
"Yes. The Master."
Joyce closed her eyes and nodded, then continued. "Buffy, he’s going to be stronger than anything you’ve ever faced, maybe even Glory. The Last Judgment is coming. Once that happens, he’s going to be virtually indestructible; but you must have faith. You can defeat him, but it will take everything you and the others have to do it."
"Do you know how we can defeat him?" William asked.
"I have to go! Take care of my Buffy for me William! I love you sweetheart!"
"Mom! No!" Buffy yelled as she reached out to grab her mother’s arm, but it was too late. Joyce had disappeared.
Their surroundings suddenly changed. They were back in the cave and the Master was waiting for them in the shadows.
A voice from behind startled them. "Come to visit me, have you? Ah, killing you the second time is going to be such sweet victory."
William pulled Buffy to him. "You’ll never touch her, not with me around."
The Master laughed at him, but soon the laughing stopped and the Master took on a serious tone. "I know you, don’t I?"
William shook his head.
"I do. I’m sure of it," he said, springing out of the shadows and grabbing William’s shoulders.
"Buffy run!"
"Spike," he hissed. "It’s you! Welcome back to the order!" The Master tilted William’s head and began to feed from him.
"Spike! No!" Buffy screamed as she saw the fear in her lover’s eyes. She ran forward but tripped over something on the ground. The world went dark.
Both Buffy and William woke up with a start, breathing rapidly. Buffy sat bolt upright as the first rays of morning light were peaking through the window. She looked over her shoulder at him, to make sure that it was just a dream. Her cheeks were tear-stained and she was shaking. William sat up next to her; a look of confusion, mixed with pain, covered his face. He pulled her close, realizing they had just shared the same vision. She went limp in his arms. He could feel the wetness of her tears against his chest.
"Luv, it’s okay. I’m here," he soothed, trying to calm her as much as himself. "I’m never leaving you. I promise."
Author: PSUbrat
Rating: PG-13 Some language and violence
Disclaimer and spoiler warning: These characters belong to Joss Whedon and whomever else he sells them to, I'm just borrowing them for a while. This story is part three of a trilogy and is based upon the alternate universe I created in Reset.
Update List: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Destined_Fic
Summary: Buffy and William face a new challenge while Dawn settles in at the Hyperion...
Timeframe: Immediately following "Interrogation"
Anya and Xander arrived at the Magic Box about an hour before it was to open. They hadn’t heard from Buffy or William since they had left them the night before.
"They did say to meet here first thing in the morning, right?" Xander questioned with a perplexed look. All was quiet.
"Maybe they left a message on the machine," Anya said optimistically. "I’ll go check. In the meantime, Xander, while you’re here, go bring up a box of crystal balls from the basement. For some reason, they’re selling like hotcakes!" She patted his shoulder and smiled broadly as she made her way over to the answering machine.
Xander stood staring at her. She never ceased to amaze him. No ‘please’. No ‘thank you’. Nothing. He shook his head and made his way to the basement door. The voice on the machine snapped him out of his seething.
Turning quickly, he made his way over to where his girlfriend was standing. "Is that who I think it is?"
"It’s Angel all right," she said nodding her head. "He says Dawn is with him in L.A."
"How did the Dawnster get there?"
"Angel said something about a portal. We should call Buffy."
"I’ll call her," he said as he picked up the phone. He dialed Buffy’s number and waited for her to pick up. Nothing. "That’s odd. There’s no answer. She did say she was gonna go home, right?"
"I thought so. Are you sure you dialed the right number, sweetie?"
"An, I’ve known Buffy for over six years now. I think I’d know her home phone number by heart."
"Better try again," she patronized. "Just in case." She flashed him a bright smile and walked into the office to get the morning receipts ready.
As he started to redial Buffy’s number, Cecily arrived at the shop.
"Good morning, Xander. Is Anya in the office?" She knew that Xander didn’t like her, but by being sweet and kind to him, she knew she’d get on his nerves even more.
"Yeah." He continued with the phone call and then swore under his breath.
"What’s wrong? The next victim you're getting ready to jilt not answering?"
He glared at her. "You know something...? I though that it was just being a demon that made you ugly as hell... all those veins..."
Her face reddened. "If I was still a demon you’d never be saying these things..."
"Well you’re not a demon anymore, lucky for the world." Trying to keep his anger in check, he said, "If you must know, I’m trying to get a hold of Buffy to let her know that Dawn’s okay..."
"What do you mean Dawn’s okay? There was a problem? What’s wrong? Why didn’t anyone tell me?"
"Calm down Child Avenger. Dawn’s fine. She went through a portal and got stuck there. She’s with Angel in L.A. and I just wanted to make sure Buffy knew so that she wasn’t going out of her mind with worry. She’s probably been up all night looking for her."
"Does William know?" Cecily asked, growing more concerned.
"Yes. He was out helping us last night."
"Give me the phone. I’ll call him and let him know. I’m sure he’s really upset, he loves that girl like his own."
Xander handed the phone to the ex-demon and rolled his eyes. "A bit obsessed with the scourge of Europe are you?"
"Former, and yes I am. Not that it’s any of your business. William and I are in love. Now bugger off while I give him the news."
Xander threw his hands in the air and walked away. Women.
After their shared dream, Buffy and William lay on the bed holding one another. They both drifted off into a deep sleep knowing that Dawn was safe. William was the first to wake when the buzzer on the alarm began its chant.
"Bloody hell! Sodding alarm clock." He turned the alarm off and pushed it off his nightstand with a loud crash. If there was one thing he truly hated as a human, it was the bleeding alarm clock...oh, and maybe having to live by the laws of man. He hadn’t noticed that the phone had gone crashing to the floor as well.
Buffy stretched and rolled over. "What time is it?" She asked, sighing contentedly.
He snuggled up next to her and pulled her close. "Time enough for a bit more shagging."
"We should get to the Magic Box, let the others know that Dawn’s okay."
"There’s plenty of time for that later. Right now, you and me are gonna make up for some lost time of our own." He smiled mischievously at her.
She tousled his already messed sandy brown curls and then kissed him passionately. He was right, there was always plenty of time for this.
Dawn woke up in a room she neither recognized nor felt completely comfortable in. At first she was groggy and couldn’t remember where she was, then it all started coming back to her. She was in L.A., with Angel. As she sat up in bed taking in her surroundings, she heard a knock at the door.
"Come in," Dawn called out. She recognized the girl instantly. Her hair was a lot shorter and a lot blonder than she remembered, but there was no doubt about it. It was Cordelia Chase.
"Good morning sleepyhead," Cordelia said as she sat down on the edge of Dawn’s bed. "I hear you’ve had quite a night."
"Uh...hi, Cordelia. Yeah, I guess you could say that." Dawn considered the young woman in front of her. There was something different about her, something that she just couldn’t quite put her finger on.
"Wow! You’ve really grown up! Last time I saw you, you were...oh wait, I’ve never seen you before, have I?"
Dawn shook her head and pulled the covers tighter to her chest.
"It’s okay, Dawn. No one’s going to hurt you. I have to apologize for Angel’s behavior last night. When it comes to Connor," she said lowering her voice, "he goes a little crazy sometimes."
Dawn stared at Cordelia. What is it with this Connor guy? "Uhm...Cordelia? Who’s Connor?"
"Oh! You don’t know?"
Dawn shook her head in response. "I keep hearing his name, but I have no idea who it is."
Cordelia studied the teen closely. She could tell that Dawn was telling the truth. "I think I’ll let Angel have the pleasure of telling you that one. In the meantime, is there anything you need? I think you and Fred might be the same height and stuff, I’m sure she’d let you borrow some clothes if you want."
"Sure. I guess I can’t go walking around in my pajamas all day."
"Great. I’ll get you some breakfast and then we can catch up on girl talk. I can’t wait to hear about Sunnydale!" She eased herself off the bed and walked to the door. Angel was going to have a lot of explaining to do!
"What’s wrong, Cecily?" Anya asked, noticing the frown on her friend’s face.
"William’s line is busy. I thought he had call waiting. Oh well. I’ll try back in a few minutes." She then began to busy herself with morning chores.
"He’s probably on the phone with the Council or something."
"Either that or he’s running as fast and as far away from you as possible," Xander said under his breath. He had to admit, he didn’t like the guy, but he hoped that Spike knew what he was getting himself into by dating a former vengeance demon.
Anya paused giving her boyfriend a harsh glare, then added, "Being a watcher is a big thing, you know."
"Yes it is. I’m so proud of my William." Cecily beamed.
"Oh Cecily, I’m so happy for you!" Anya ran over to her friend and gave her a hug. "So, has he asked you to marry him yet?"
Cecily was shocked. "My heavens! No! We’ve only been dating for a few weeks Anyanka. That’s hardly enough time for a proper courtship!"
"Yes but you’ve been in love for over a century!"
"I have been, yes, but William has had other loves in the meantime. There was Drusilla...and Buffy." Her eyes lowered and she glowered as she mentioned Buffy’s name.
"Drusilla was his sire. There’s some kind of icky bond there, and as for Buffy, that was just sex. Although, come to think of it, maybe he did have feelings for her. He did come here looking for a spell to make his pain go away the night that he and I had sex."
Xander groaned. He had been trying, unsuccessfully, to rid his mind of the sex image for months. Now he was going to have to deal with a whole bout of fresh imagery. "Anya. Please. Can we just not talk about that?"
Anya rolled her eyes. "If you hadn’t left me at the altar, Spike and I wouldn’t have had sex. It happened. Get over it."
During the lovers’ exchange, Cecily had gone back over to the phone to try William again. "The line is still busy."
"Don’t worry. He’ll be here soon enough. Why don’t you help me with unpacking some of the new inventory?"
Cecily smiled slightly and followed Anya into the back while Xander left for coffee and donuts.
"Angel," Cordelia started, "that girl up there doesn’t know anything about a guy named Connor, and until you get up there and explain the whole situation to her, you’re not going to get any answers!"
"You want me to tell her everything?" Angel asked incredulously.
Cordelia bit her bottom lip. He had a point. "Well, maybe not everything, but you definitely have to tell her about Connor."
He sighed heavily. This was not going to be easy. Dawn was just as emotional as her sister, maybe even more so. She had hated him for leaving Buffy and now she was going to hate him even more after their talk. "Think I should wear some armor?"
Cordelia scowled at him, raised her arm and pointed up the stairs. "Don’t be such a baby. Go. Now."
"Hey everyone," Gunn said, as he entered the hotel. "Hey baby." He walked over and put his arm around Fred and gave her a quick kiss. "What’s up?"
"We have a house guest," Fred said with a hint of concern.
"Oh yeah, who?" Gunn asked with a frown.
Fred turned to Gunn and asked, "Remember that girl that was with Connor the other night?"
"Yeah? Oh! She’s the guest? How? Who is she?"
"She’s Buffy’s sister," Cordelia stated, as she walked over to the computer to check e-mail.
Gunn’s eyes widened. "The Buffy?"
"Yes," Angel said with a sigh. What was it with these people? They made Buffy sound like some bigger than life myth or something. "Dawn is upstairs right now in the room next to Fred’s."
"So she told you about Connor then?" Gunn questioned.
Fred replied first. "No. She doesn’t know a Connor..."
"But that was him in that portal thing, right? Wasn’t just my eyes playing tricks on me."
"Chances are he might be going by Steven," Angel stated. "I was just going to head up and tell her who Connor was."
Gunn noted the quick look of hesitation on Angel’s face. No way he would trade places with him at this moment in time. "Good luck, dude. Think you might need back up?"
"He’ll be fine," Cordelia chastised. "Now get moving Angel."
"Come on, Luv," William called from the front door. "Let’s get a move on shall we?"
"Hey," Buffy replied with a stern look. "You’re the one that wanted to try something new in the shower."
William wiggled his eyebrows and grinned mischievously. "You look better in that sweatshirt than I do. I think you should keep it, or..." he said eyeing her nervously, "you could start keeping some of your things here?"
Buffy paused as they walked down the street towards the Magic Box. "Don’t take this the wrong way, Spike, but this staying the night at your place, probably a one time only deal. Remember? Me of the guardian position?"
He winced. "Oh, yeah. Sorry, Pet, almost forgot. All that late night activity must have gone to my brain."
She swatted him on the arm playfully. This was nice. Walking. Bantering. Holding hands. In the daylight no less! She most definitely could get used to this. Nothing could ruin this day.
William held open the door to the shop for her. They walked in giggling like two school children.
"Hey Buff," Xander called from the table. Then nodded towards the watcher. "William."
"Harris."
Anya waved from behind the cash register. "Good morning, Buffy. You look happy today!"
Buffy looked at William, who nodded his head. She turned back to her friends and said, "There’s something I want to tell you..."
At the sound of William’s voice, Cecily came running out of the back room and threw her arms around the man. "William! Where have you been? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for the last hour!" She planted a kiss on his lips and smiled brightly.
William and Buffy were both stunned. Neither one of them had even given a second thought to Cecily.
Rating: PG-13 Some language and violence
Disclaimer and spoiler warning: These characters belong to Joss Whedon and whomever else he sells them to, I'm just borrowing them for a while. This story is part three of a trilogy and is based upon the alternate universe I created in Reset.
Update List: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Destined_Fic
Summary: Dawn refuses to answer Angel's questions while Buffy and William meet with some unexpected visitor...
Timeframe: Immediately following "The Exchange"
- 9 -
Interrogation
Interrogation
A sense of urgency surrounded them in the hallway. Dawn backed up against the cream-colored wall. If she could have become one with the plaster, she would have - gladly. The girl with the southern accent recognized her from the portal. So many thoughts raced through her mind...she kept hearing this name, Connor. She had no idea who that was. Could it be Steven? No, it couldn’t be. She looked nervously from Fred to Angel who was now staring at her intently.
"Dawn, how do you know Connor?" Angel demanded as he grabbed her by her shoulders.
She tried to shake him free but his hold on her was strong. "Let go Angel! I don’t know anyone named Connor!"
Still holding onto Dawn, Angel whipped his head around and looked pleadingly at Fred. "Are you sure, Fred?"
Fred nodded. "Angel, you know I never forget a face."
He began shaking Dawn, not hard but not gently either. "Dawn you have to tell me. Where is Connor?"
"Angel I already told you! I don’t know anyone named Connor!" She was becoming very frightened of him. The look in his eyes was overwhelming pain. She wished she could tell him what he needed to hear, but she couldn’t tell him what she didn’t know. She closed her eyes and began thinking about Sunnydale, hoping a portal would open. She felt the electricity flow through her but something was wrong, terribly wrong.
Angel dropped his hands as the electricity began to crackle and pop around the teen. He took a step back and pulled Fred behind him to protect her from whatever it was Buffy’s sister was doing.
"Angel," Fred said softly, putting her hand on Angel’s shoulder. "You’re scaring her. This isn’t going to get Connor back."
Suddenly, Dawn slumped against the wall. She was exhausted. Why? Maybe she couldn’t open more than one portal a day? Her head hurt, not to mention every inch of her body.
"I’m sorry," Angel said, running to her and helping her to her feet. "It’s just that we’ve been looking everywhere..."
"Who is Connor?" Dawn asked weakly.
Realizing that no one from Sunnydale knew anything about his tryst with Darla, let alone his son, Angel just shook his head. "We’ll talk about that later. Why don’t you get some sleep?"
Dawn let Angel lead her into the room next to Fred's. "I’m sorry if you’re missing someone you love. I wish I could help you." She collapsed on the bed and pulled the covers over herself.
"Thanks. If you need anything, just yell. Goodnight, Dawn."
"Goodnight, Angel." She fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow. All memories of school starting the next day were gone, along with her worries of contacting Buffy.
******
Buffy and William lay together in the afterglow of their lovemaking. She was resting against him with her head on his chest while he slowly ran his hand up and down her arm. He couldn’t believe that she was still here with him; she hadn’t gotten up and left immediately afterward. This had to be a dream it just had to be. How else could he explain it?
Buffy let her mind wander over the last hour. She never thought, in a million years, that this would happen. Feelings of safety, contentment and love washed through her. She felt complete, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.
"Spike?" Buffy asked gently.
"Yes, Luv?"
"Is this for real?"
He kissed the top of her head and held her close. "I was just asking myself the same thing."
"Can I ask you something else?"
"Sure can."
"What do you want me to call you? I mean, to me you’re always going to be Spike, no matter what."
He looked down at her. She was lazily running her finger in circles on his chest. He thought about the answer for a moment and then, giving her head another kiss, responded. "I would rather you call me William. My mum gave me that name. It’s a good name. Spike is a monster’s name."
Buffy sat up quickly and looked him in the eyes. "You’re not a monster, Spike."
"But I was. What I did to you..." He choked back the tears. Even now, he couldn’t keep the images of that night from flooding his mind.
"Spike, listen to me, please. What happened that night...you just tried to reach out to me. I shut you out and I shut myself down. I was scared..."
He was about to say something, but she quieted him by brining her finger to his lips.
"Shhhhh. Just listen. I was scared of my feelings for you. What you tried to do was wrong. It was, but I knew you didn’t mean it, not in that way, not after I saw the look in your eyes after I kicked you across the room. It took me a long time to come to that realization. I forgave you, almost immediately, but it took me longer to forgive myself for driving you to that point and for doing the things that I did to you."
He couldn’t believe his ears. She was giving him absolution. "Pet, you didn’t deserve that, not from me, not from anyone. I’m thankful that you’re forgiving me." He said sitting up and pulling her to him tightly.
She smiled warmly at him and then got a twinkle in her eyes. "I’m so still calling you Spike, but promise me no more bleach. Ever."
He growled at her and she giggled. It was the first real laugh he had heard from her in a long time, and he was the cause of it. He pulled her down to him for a passionate kiss. Immediately, it turned to more.
******
Angel closed the door slowly after he turned off the light. He walked down the hall to where Fred was still standing, her arms folded across her chest.
"Angel, I know that was her with Connor."
"I’m sure you’re right, Fred."
Suddenly a thought occurred to her. "What if she doesn’t know him by Connor? What if he goes by Steven there?"
Angel’s face became dark at the thought. "Go get some sleep Fred. When Cordy gets here, I’ll have her talk to Dawn. I’m sure she’ll be able to get through to her."
"What are you thinking, Angel?" She was concerned that his brooding mood was back. She understood that they needed to find Connor; after all, the boy did try to kill him.
"Say that he is going by Steven, say that Dawn knows him. Why is he in Sunnydale? Something had to lead him there. He wouldn’t just go there."
Fred nodded her head in agreement; the boy had to have a reason. "I’m sure we’ll figure it out in the morning, Angel. Cordelia will talk to her and we’ll find Connor."
"I hope you’re right. Otherwise, I have this feeling that someone’s going to get hurt." He looked over and caught Fred’s gaze. He could tell that his friend was concerned for him. "I’m fine, Fred."
She glared at him.
"I am. Go to bed. We’ll talk in the morning."
Reluctantly, Fred turned and went into her room, closing the door behind her.
Angel leaned up against the wall and hung his head. Good thing he didn’t sleep at night, there’s no way he could now even if he wanted to.
******
The phone at the Summers’ house continued to ring off the hook. Angel looked at the phone intently. Where could Buffy be, especially at this hour and with her sister missing? Maybe she was still out looking for her. In that case, at some point, she would probably meet up with the others at the Magic Box. He would try there next. He pulled out his phone book and dialed the number. After a few rings, the machine picked up.
"Hello," a cheery female voice greeted him. "You have reached the Magic Box, the finest and most extensive magic shop in Sunnydale. If we don’t have what you need, we’ll get it for you! Our hours are Monday through Friday, nine a.m. until six p.m., unless we’re out averting an apocalypse. Please call back during regular business hours or better yet, visit the shop and spend lots of money!"
Angel smiled. He had heard quite a bit about the former vengeance demon and about her penchant for money. Nice message. As soon as the beep ended, he began leaving his own.
"Hi...uh...this is Angel. I just wanted to let Buffy know that Dawn is here with me, in L.A. I guess you guys are out looking for her. Well you can relax because she’s safe and sound. She, uhm, opened a portal or something and then got stuck here. She’s sleeping in one of the guest rooms right now and I’ll bring her up tomorrow night. Give me a call to let me know you got this message. Bye."
He hung up the phone and stared at it. Did he just sound like a fool? Why did he always seem to get all worked up whenever he thought about Buffy? His thoughts drifted to Cordelia. How was he going to explain his relationship with one of Buffy’s not-so-close friends, especially after he had given Buffy the excuse that he was leaving because he wanted her to have a normal life? He knew that Riley had left her, she had told him that herself. It was right before her mother had passed away. But he hadn’t heard a thing about any new men in her life; so telling her about Cordelia was going to be even harder. He wouldn’t be at all surprised if she tried to stake him afterwards.
Oh well. He knew he was going to have to tell her at some point, about everything, so it was going to be a little sooner than he had anticipated. He sighed. This was going to be one hell of a trip.
******
Buffy stood in the desert feeling sand beneath her bare feet. The sun was shinning brightly and a slight breeze was blowing. She was dressed in a white flowing tunic, same as in her previous dreams. Instead of walking alone, she was walking hand in hand with William. They were both silent as they wandered the dunes, not really knowing what they were searching for but knowing that they had to be somewhere important. Suddenly, Joyce appeared before them.
"Mom!" Buffy cried as she ran towards her.
William stayed back to let the mother and daughter have their reunion.
"Buffy sweetheart! It’s so good to see you!" Joyce threw her arms around her daughter and hugged her tightly.
"Mom what are you doing here?"
She ignored Buffy’s question and turned her attention to her daughter’s companion. "Hello William," Joyce said with a bright smile as she motioned for him to come over to her.
William walked over to Joyce and let her hug him.
"It’s so good to see you two together. I’m so proud of you Buffy..."
"Don’t be proud of me mom. I’ve lost Dawn..." Buffy’s tears began to stream down her face.
"Shhhhh," Joyce comforted. "Dawn is fine. She’s with Angel in L.A."
"With Angel? How?"
"Buffy, I don’t have much time. Just know that she is safe. You have bigger problems to deal with now. You must listen to me carefully."
Buffy nodded as she pulled William’s arms around her.
"You already know who is coming, don’t you?"
"Yes. The Master."
Joyce closed her eyes and nodded, then continued. "Buffy, he’s going to be stronger than anything you’ve ever faced, maybe even Glory. The Last Judgment is coming. Once that happens, he’s going to be virtually indestructible; but you must have faith. You can defeat him, but it will take everything you and the others have to do it."
"Do you know how we can defeat him?" William asked.
"I have to go! Take care of my Buffy for me William! I love you sweetheart!"
"Mom! No!" Buffy yelled as she reached out to grab her mother’s arm, but it was too late. Joyce had disappeared.
Their surroundings suddenly changed. They were back in the cave and the Master was waiting for them in the shadows.
A voice from behind startled them. "Come to visit me, have you? Ah, killing you the second time is going to be such sweet victory."
William pulled Buffy to him. "You’ll never touch her, not with me around."
The Master laughed at him, but soon the laughing stopped and the Master took on a serious tone. "I know you, don’t I?"
William shook his head.
"I do. I’m sure of it," he said, springing out of the shadows and grabbing William’s shoulders.
"Buffy run!"
"Spike," he hissed. "It’s you! Welcome back to the order!" The Master tilted William’s head and began to feed from him.
"Spike! No!" Buffy screamed as she saw the fear in her lover’s eyes. She ran forward but tripped over something on the ground. The world went dark.
******
Both Buffy and William woke up with a start, breathing rapidly. Buffy sat bolt upright as the first rays of morning light were peaking through the window. She looked over her shoulder at him, to make sure that it was just a dream. Her cheeks were tear-stained and she was shaking. William sat up next to her; a look of confusion, mixed with pain, covered his face. He pulled her close, realizing they had just shared the same vision. She went limp in his arms. He could feel the wetness of her tears against his chest.
"Luv, it’s okay. I’m here," he soothed, trying to calm her as much as himself. "I’m never leaving you. I promise."
Author: PSUbrat
Rating: PG-13 Some language and violence
Disclaimer and spoiler warning: These characters belong to Joss Whedon and whomever else he sells them to, I'm just borrowing them for a while. This story is part three of a trilogy and is based upon the alternate universe I created in Reset.
Update List: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Destined_Fic
Summary: Buffy and William face a new challenge while Dawn settles in at the Hyperion...
Timeframe: Immediately following "Interrogation"
- 10 -
Morning After
Morning After
Anya and Xander arrived at the Magic Box about an hour before it was to open. They hadn’t heard from Buffy or William since they had left them the night before.
"They did say to meet here first thing in the morning, right?" Xander questioned with a perplexed look. All was quiet.
"Maybe they left a message on the machine," Anya said optimistically. "I’ll go check. In the meantime, Xander, while you’re here, go bring up a box of crystal balls from the basement. For some reason, they’re selling like hotcakes!" She patted his shoulder and smiled broadly as she made her way over to the answering machine.
Xander stood staring at her. She never ceased to amaze him. No ‘please’. No ‘thank you’. Nothing. He shook his head and made his way to the basement door. The voice on the machine snapped him out of his seething.
Turning quickly, he made his way over to where his girlfriend was standing. "Is that who I think it is?"
"It’s Angel all right," she said nodding her head. "He says Dawn is with him in L.A."
"How did the Dawnster get there?"
"Angel said something about a portal. We should call Buffy."
"I’ll call her," he said as he picked up the phone. He dialed Buffy’s number and waited for her to pick up. Nothing. "That’s odd. There’s no answer. She did say she was gonna go home, right?"
"I thought so. Are you sure you dialed the right number, sweetie?"
"An, I’ve known Buffy for over six years now. I think I’d know her home phone number by heart."
"Better try again," she patronized. "Just in case." She flashed him a bright smile and walked into the office to get the morning receipts ready.
As he started to redial Buffy’s number, Cecily arrived at the shop.
"Good morning, Xander. Is Anya in the office?" She knew that Xander didn’t like her, but by being sweet and kind to him, she knew she’d get on his nerves even more.
"Yeah." He continued with the phone call and then swore under his breath.
"What’s wrong? The next victim you're getting ready to jilt not answering?"
He glared at her. "You know something...? I though that it was just being a demon that made you ugly as hell... all those veins..."
Her face reddened. "If I was still a demon you’d never be saying these things..."
"Well you’re not a demon anymore, lucky for the world." Trying to keep his anger in check, he said, "If you must know, I’m trying to get a hold of Buffy to let her know that Dawn’s okay..."
"What do you mean Dawn’s okay? There was a problem? What’s wrong? Why didn’t anyone tell me?"
"Calm down Child Avenger. Dawn’s fine. She went through a portal and got stuck there. She’s with Angel in L.A. and I just wanted to make sure Buffy knew so that she wasn’t going out of her mind with worry. She’s probably been up all night looking for her."
"Does William know?" Cecily asked, growing more concerned.
"Yes. He was out helping us last night."
"Give me the phone. I’ll call him and let him know. I’m sure he’s really upset, he loves that girl like his own."
Xander handed the phone to the ex-demon and rolled his eyes. "A bit obsessed with the scourge of Europe are you?"
"Former, and yes I am. Not that it’s any of your business. William and I are in love. Now bugger off while I give him the news."
Xander threw his hands in the air and walked away. Women.
******
After their shared dream, Buffy and William lay on the bed holding one another. They both drifted off into a deep sleep knowing that Dawn was safe. William was the first to wake when the buzzer on the alarm began its chant.
"Bloody hell! Sodding alarm clock." He turned the alarm off and pushed it off his nightstand with a loud crash. If there was one thing he truly hated as a human, it was the bleeding alarm clock...oh, and maybe having to live by the laws of man. He hadn’t noticed that the phone had gone crashing to the floor as well.
Buffy stretched and rolled over. "What time is it?" She asked, sighing contentedly.
He snuggled up next to her and pulled her close. "Time enough for a bit more shagging."
"We should get to the Magic Box, let the others know that Dawn’s okay."
"There’s plenty of time for that later. Right now, you and me are gonna make up for some lost time of our own." He smiled mischievously at her.
She tousled his already messed sandy brown curls and then kissed him passionately. He was right, there was always plenty of time for this.
******
Dawn woke up in a room she neither recognized nor felt completely comfortable in. At first she was groggy and couldn’t remember where she was, then it all started coming back to her. She was in L.A., with Angel. As she sat up in bed taking in her surroundings, she heard a knock at the door.
"Come in," Dawn called out. She recognized the girl instantly. Her hair was a lot shorter and a lot blonder than she remembered, but there was no doubt about it. It was Cordelia Chase.
"Good morning sleepyhead," Cordelia said as she sat down on the edge of Dawn’s bed. "I hear you’ve had quite a night."
"Uh...hi, Cordelia. Yeah, I guess you could say that." Dawn considered the young woman in front of her. There was something different about her, something that she just couldn’t quite put her finger on.
"Wow! You’ve really grown up! Last time I saw you, you were...oh wait, I’ve never seen you before, have I?"
Dawn shook her head and pulled the covers tighter to her chest.
"It’s okay, Dawn. No one’s going to hurt you. I have to apologize for Angel’s behavior last night. When it comes to Connor," she said lowering her voice, "he goes a little crazy sometimes."
Dawn stared at Cordelia. What is it with this Connor guy? "Uhm...Cordelia? Who’s Connor?"
"Oh! You don’t know?"
Dawn shook her head in response. "I keep hearing his name, but I have no idea who it is."
Cordelia studied the teen closely. She could tell that Dawn was telling the truth. "I think I’ll let Angel have the pleasure of telling you that one. In the meantime, is there anything you need? I think you and Fred might be the same height and stuff, I’m sure she’d let you borrow some clothes if you want."
"Sure. I guess I can’t go walking around in my pajamas all day."
"Great. I’ll get you some breakfast and then we can catch up on girl talk. I can’t wait to hear about Sunnydale!" She eased herself off the bed and walked to the door. Angel was going to have a lot of explaining to do!
******
"What’s wrong, Cecily?" Anya asked, noticing the frown on her friend’s face.
"William’s line is busy. I thought he had call waiting. Oh well. I’ll try back in a few minutes." She then began to busy herself with morning chores.
"He’s probably on the phone with the Council or something."
"Either that or he’s running as fast and as far away from you as possible," Xander said under his breath. He had to admit, he didn’t like the guy, but he hoped that Spike knew what he was getting himself into by dating a former vengeance demon.
Anya paused giving her boyfriend a harsh glare, then added, "Being a watcher is a big thing, you know."
"Yes it is. I’m so proud of my William." Cecily beamed.
"Oh Cecily, I’m so happy for you!" Anya ran over to her friend and gave her a hug. "So, has he asked you to marry him yet?"
Cecily was shocked. "My heavens! No! We’ve only been dating for a few weeks Anyanka. That’s hardly enough time for a proper courtship!"
"Yes but you’ve been in love for over a century!"
"I have been, yes, but William has had other loves in the meantime. There was Drusilla...and Buffy." Her eyes lowered and she glowered as she mentioned Buffy’s name.
"Drusilla was his sire. There’s some kind of icky bond there, and as for Buffy, that was just sex. Although, come to think of it, maybe he did have feelings for her. He did come here looking for a spell to make his pain go away the night that he and I had sex."
Xander groaned. He had been trying, unsuccessfully, to rid his mind of the sex image for months. Now he was going to have to deal with a whole bout of fresh imagery. "Anya. Please. Can we just not talk about that?"
Anya rolled her eyes. "If you hadn’t left me at the altar, Spike and I wouldn’t have had sex. It happened. Get over it."
During the lovers’ exchange, Cecily had gone back over to the phone to try William again. "The line is still busy."
"Don’t worry. He’ll be here soon enough. Why don’t you help me with unpacking some of the new inventory?"
Cecily smiled slightly and followed Anya into the back while Xander left for coffee and donuts.
******
"Angel," Cordelia started, "that girl up there doesn’t know anything about a guy named Connor, and until you get up there and explain the whole situation to her, you’re not going to get any answers!"
"You want me to tell her everything?" Angel asked incredulously.
Cordelia bit her bottom lip. He had a point. "Well, maybe not everything, but you definitely have to tell her about Connor."
He sighed heavily. This was not going to be easy. Dawn was just as emotional as her sister, maybe even more so. She had hated him for leaving Buffy and now she was going to hate him even more after their talk. "Think I should wear some armor?"
Cordelia scowled at him, raised her arm and pointed up the stairs. "Don’t be such a baby. Go. Now."
"Hey everyone," Gunn said, as he entered the hotel. "Hey baby." He walked over and put his arm around Fred and gave her a quick kiss. "What’s up?"
"We have a house guest," Fred said with a hint of concern.
"Oh yeah, who?" Gunn asked with a frown.
Fred turned to Gunn and asked, "Remember that girl that was with Connor the other night?"
"Yeah? Oh! She’s the guest? How? Who is she?"
"She’s Buffy’s sister," Cordelia stated, as she walked over to the computer to check e-mail.
Gunn’s eyes widened. "The Buffy?"
"Yes," Angel said with a sigh. What was it with these people? They made Buffy sound like some bigger than life myth or something. "Dawn is upstairs right now in the room next to Fred’s."
"So she told you about Connor then?" Gunn questioned.
Fred replied first. "No. She doesn’t know a Connor..."
"But that was him in that portal thing, right? Wasn’t just my eyes playing tricks on me."
"Chances are he might be going by Steven," Angel stated. "I was just going to head up and tell her who Connor was."
Gunn noted the quick look of hesitation on Angel’s face. No way he would trade places with him at this moment in time. "Good luck, dude. Think you might need back up?"
"He’ll be fine," Cordelia chastised. "Now get moving Angel."
******
"Come on, Luv," William called from the front door. "Let’s get a move on shall we?"
"Hey," Buffy replied with a stern look. "You’re the one that wanted to try something new in the shower."
William wiggled his eyebrows and grinned mischievously. "You look better in that sweatshirt than I do. I think you should keep it, or..." he said eyeing her nervously, "you could start keeping some of your things here?"
Buffy paused as they walked down the street towards the Magic Box. "Don’t take this the wrong way, Spike, but this staying the night at your place, probably a one time only deal. Remember? Me of the guardian position?"
He winced. "Oh, yeah. Sorry, Pet, almost forgot. All that late night activity must have gone to my brain."
She swatted him on the arm playfully. This was nice. Walking. Bantering. Holding hands. In the daylight no less! She most definitely could get used to this. Nothing could ruin this day.
William held open the door to the shop for her. They walked in giggling like two school children.
"Hey Buff," Xander called from the table. Then nodded towards the watcher. "William."
"Harris."
Anya waved from behind the cash register. "Good morning, Buffy. You look happy today!"
Buffy looked at William, who nodded his head. She turned back to her friends and said, "There’s something I want to tell you..."
At the sound of William’s voice, Cecily came running out of the back room and threw her arms around the man. "William! Where have you been? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for the last hour!" She planted a kiss on his lips and smiled brightly.
William and Buffy were both stunned. Neither one of them had even given a second thought to Cecily.
