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Abused By Tango AN: Because of the many comments, I've gotten about Riley, I though I'd make a little disclaimer here. I like Riley's character - the television version of him, that is, not this version. (The reason I often abuse him in my fics is because, although I thought he was a good guy, I don't think he should be with Buffy.) My version of him in this fic is not what I think of Marc Blucas or his BtVS character. This is an AU fic where I have completely altered his character to fit in with this fic. I hope those of you who have some lost love for Riley Finn will be able to suspend your disbelief for the duration of this story. The reason I chose Riley for this part, rather than any of the other men in Buffy's life is because he was always so good and clean cut. The idea was that he would not seem abusive or able to do what he does. Hope that helps everyone. Feel free to email me if you have additional concerns. Thanks! as
i watch you fade "Raped," Angel echoed, staring at the doctor. He felt a shudder go through his entire body and stumbled back a couple of steps until he was leaning against the wall. Raped? He choked on his own breath and vacantly turned his head to where Riley Finn had been standing. "Who did this?" Joyce demanded, raising her hands to her face. Turning on her heel, she stared at the large, dark haired man leaning against the wall in shock. She raised her finger and pointed at him, "Was it you? Did you do this to my little girl?" "Me?" Angel asked, blinking back his shock and staring into eyes that were the same color as the woman he loved. "Rape Buffy? No. No." "It was Riley," Willow said, clearing her throat loudly, which seemed to echo down the hallway after him, accusing the path he took of the abomination. "Riley?" Joyce said incredulously. "Riley would never hurt her!" "He did nothing but hurt her," Xander shouted angrily. "He's been beating the shit out of her for months and months! Haven't you wondered about how she's always hurt, bruised or scraped somewhere?" "That isn't true," Joyce mumbled. "It can't be." "It is," Willow added, crossing her arms as she waited for more denial to come spouting from Joyce's mouth. They all turned as Angel's loud footsteps sounded in the hall. "Angel," Willow called out, "Where are you going?" "Tell Buffy when she wakes up, that I'll be back, okay?" Angel said, pausing in the center of the hall. "Tell her...tell her I'll keep my promise." *** i
know a young girl living in the shadow of Raped. The word kept crushing into Angel's skull again and again. He knew Riley had hurt her, but he had never been able to let his mind go as far as rape. Not rape. His whole body trembled with anger and revulsion as he exited the hospital and looked around the parking lot for a sign of the bastard that had hurt her. Hurt her. That wasn't even close to what he had done. Finn had violated her in every sense, physically, emotionally, spiritually. No wonder she had been in shock. Images that would have turned his stomach a few months ago, things he never even though about visiting on a person, began to spring to mind as he looked for Riley Finn. He jumped in his car and slowly circled the parking lot before roaring out into the street. He planned to overturn all of Sunnydale until he found him and the only thing he was worried about was the idea of spending the rest of his life in jail for taking a life. He had made it almost all over town and to Lowell house with no sign of Riley when his cell phone rang. Still keeping his eyes peeled for his intended victim, he answered the phone. "Angel, it's Willow," said a worried voice over the line. "Can you come back to the hospital?" "What's wrong?" he groaned. "Is she okay?" "She's been calling your name in her sleep and...well...she's terrified," Willow said in a low voice. "Her mom told me not to call you. I don't think she'll accept that it was Riley that hurt Buffy until Buffy tells her, but she's not talking. The doctor prescribed a mild sedative to make her sleep because she wouldn't do anything but stare at the walls, but now it's worse. She's screaming, Angel, screaming for you." "On my way," Angel answered, pulling a U-turn in the center of the street and heading back. "You didn't find him, did you?" Willow asked quietly. Her voice reflected the fear she felt and Angel wasn't sure if she was afraid he would hurt Riley or vise versa, but he was beyond caring. He wanted to see Finn bleed again. Few dreams were more satisfying. "No, but I will." *** i
will not be denied "ANGEL!" Buffy screamed, thrashing in her bed. The medical staff had restrained her and Angel winced at the bruises that were forming on her delicate wrists. She was already hurt all over and the idea that the hospital was causing her more pain just pissed him off. He had spent the past five minutes trying to circumvent Joyce and the nurses to get into the damn room and now that he was in there, he just wanted to scream in frustration, instead he crossed the small expanse of space to get to her. "Buffy," he whispered, cupping her face in his hand. The moment he touched her, she stopped thrashing and he was almost glad that he felt the burning stare of her mother and a nurse at the door as he leaned over and kissed her forehead. Maybe they would see that he's innocent now. She obviously wasn't afraid of him, which should mean something to them. "Buffy, I'm here. It's okay. Everything's alright, baby." "Angel," she whimpered, "Going to hurt..." "No," he whispered as he unbuckled her restraints, ignoring the protests of the nurse behind him. "No one's going to hurt you now." He massaged her wrists as he removed her bindings and she pulled him closer to her. He tried to sit in the chair by the bed but she kept tugging on him, her eyes squeezed shut and her teeth grinding in her mouth as if she were being beaten right then. Finally, he lowered the railing on the side of her bed where her restraints had been tied and sat down on the edge, caressing her hair and face. He was sure he heard Joyce gasp from the doorway as Buffy shifted in the bed until her cheek was resting against his thigh. She rooted around until she found one of his hands and intertwined his fingers with her own. Holding on to him tightly, she relaxed and mere minutes after his arrival, she drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep. Angel sat still and let her hold onto him. After a moment, he looked up to her mother and met her eyes. He wanted Joyce Summers to see that he loved her, that she was safe with him, that he would never hurt her, but she almost looked disappointed. It was if she wanted Angel to be the rapist, as if she didn't want to believe that Riley was capable of what he did. Angel didn't disagree. He wished no one was capable of that. *** sounds like heaven to me When Buffy woke up a few hours later, she was frantic to get out of the hospital, which actually relieved Angel and everyone else. At least she was not staring blankly at the walls, even if she was screaming for release. Dr. Philips ordered that Buffy stay overnight for observation and Buffy informed everyone that if Angel couldn't stay with her that she was leaving. After a long argument with her mother and Dr. Philips, she got her way and Angel was given permission to spend the night in her room. When everyone left them alone, Buffy looked at Angel who was still sitting on the edge of her bed - mostly because she hadn't bothered to let him go. "I...I never asked you if you wanted to stay," Buffy said quietly, almost wincing as she prepared for him to tell her he didn't want to be there. "You don't have to. Stay, I mean. You can go home if you want." "If you want me to stay, I'll stay," he said simply. "Really? It's okay?" "Sure," he said. "You should know by now...I'd do anything for you, Buffy." She looked at him for a long moment, shifting nervously. Now that she had him there, she wasn't sure what to do. He couldn't very well stay sitting on the side of her bed like that for the next 8 hours. Slowly she reached up and pushed his leather jacket from his shoulders and he shrugged it off before removing his shoes. "Lay with me?" she asked softly. Nodding, he laid back on the bed and held his breath as she laid her head on his chest. As he wrapped his arms around her and felt her snuggle in, he saw a glimpse of a possible future. Strange, that before all he wanted were easy women - easy to deal with, easy to sleep with, just easy in general and now he found that the woman he wanted more than anything else in the world wasn't easy in any sense of the word, save one - she was extremely easy to love. As she burrowed against him, curling her little body against his, he closed his eyes and held her, silently plotting out his next steps to ensure her safety. *** i
just want to give shape to the face The following morning when Buffy was released from the hospital, her mother insisted that she come home for the night. After Joyce all but forbid Angel from seeing her daughter again, Buffy became more forceful than he had ever seen her. She informed her mother that not only was she not going home with her and she was going to see Angel again, but that she was going to stay with him if he'd have her. And of course, it was perfectly fine with him if she stayed with him. Hell, he was hoping she'd move in. He didn't really understand what it was about him that made Joyce dislike him so much, but he saw that she was definitely going to be standing in the way of him being with Buffy. If he could only prove to her that Riley was actually the scum everyone knew him to be, then maybe she would relent...but he wasn't so sure. She looked at him like he wasn't good enough for her daughter or something. Considering most mothers begged him to marry their daughters once they found out how rich he was, this was entirely new territory. Figures, he thought. The one girl he actually wanted be with and he was going to have to work three times as hard just to get her mom to like him. Once they arrived at the mansion, Angel flew into action. A conversation that morning with Willow while Buffy was arguing with her mother and preparing to check out of the hospital proved very informative. She told him about Buffy's fears that Riley would hurt someone she loved, so in answering Xander's dreams, Angel invited him to move to the mansion, giving him Riley's old room. He also asked Willow to stay in the guest room for a while until everything blew over and hired an armed guard to sit outside Joyce Summers' home in the event that Riley decided to pay her a visit. He met with his boarders and informed them once again that if they let Riley Finn cross over the premises, they would be without a home. Going further, he called a locksmith and had all the mansion's exterior locks changed, as well as the lock to his room and Xander's. Finally, he paid Gunn, Doyle and Spike to help move Willow and Buffy's things to the mansion. By the time everything was finished, it was early afternoon and Angel asked Dru and Spike to look out for Buffy while he searched the surrounding area once again for her rapist. School was in session, even if everyone was missing it, and someone was bound to see Riley at some point. He only hoped it would be sometime soon. Once night fell, he decided to give up the search for the evening and check on Buffy. He drove home and found Spike and Buffy looking comfy together on his sofa, watching a movie and sharing a bag of popcorn. He was surprised at the intensity of the jealousy that came over him when he saw them together. Spike was happily married and Buffy was not interested in getting in a new relationship, with him or anyone else. He was sure of it and yet, he couldn't stand the thought of her being with anyone but him. "No need to get jealous, Poof," Spike said low enough for Buffy not to overhear after he'd crossed the room to leave when he saw his brother was back. "I'm here taking care of your business...again." "And you're being compensated, so quit your bitching," Angel snapped, "I'll take it from here." "Alright," Spike muttered, "You're welcome...wanker." "Thank you," Angel snapped back. His stepbrother might be an asshole and usually was barely trustworthy but something told him he could trust him with Buffy. She didn't shy away from him at all and seemed content to have him around, which was more than he could say for the rest of his household. Spike cracked a grin as he headed out the door and shut it behind him. No matter what Angel did or said, he knew that he trusted him now, that he wanted him around. What a big glorious leap that was from the previous year. As cheerily as Spike's personality would allow, he headed upstairs to see what Dru was up to. *** this
is the place inside where all good things die That night when it was time to go to bed, Angel was extremely nervous. He didn't want Buffy to be uncomfortable around him, which is why he made sure he remained completely clothed in her presence at all times and didn't touch her unless she initiated it. He showered before bed and came out of the bathroom completely covered. He ran his fingers through his wet hair and went into the bedroom. "Buffy," he said as he walked in, "I thought if you wanted you could take the bed and I'll sleep on the..." He tapered off as he saw her standing there next to the bed in the dim light, completely nude, her hair falling around her shoulders. He swept his eyes over her bruised body, which was otherwise perfect. Moving up to her eyes finally, his confusion deepened. She looked terrified and extremely sad. "Baby, what are you doing?" he asked gently, taking another step into the room so that he could close the door. His standing policy to keep everyone out of his room seemed less than strict these days and he didn't want Spike or Doyle or someone to wander in and see her. "Willow, uh, Willow packed all of your clothes for you. They're here...if you want me to get you something..." he said. "No," she said, shaking her head slightly and biting her lower lip. "Don't you want to...you know? I mean, it's not like you didn't earn it." "No," he said, as the realization of what was happening dawned on him, "That's not what I want. I didn't earn anything, Buffy." "But I thought..." she whispered, lowering her voice further until it was a rasp as her eyes filled with tears, "I thought you wanted me and guys...when they...Angel, I don't understand." "Buffy, let me make something perfectly clear," Angel said, trying to keep his voice from wavering. "I want you. Believe me, I do. And I can't wait to make love to you, but we're not going to have sex tonight or any other night until you're healed...until it's what you want. I don't need a reward for taking care of you. My reward is being with you, knowing that you're safe." "But..." she managed before the tears flooded her eyes and spilled onto her cheeks, "I thought..." "Buffy," he said, crossing the room and pulling his shirt off as he went. He wrapped it around her trembling shoulders before pulling her into his arms, "What he did to you, that isn't what men are like. That isn't what I'm like. It's not about me taking what I want from you, it's about you giving yourself to me." "You can have me," she muffled against his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. "No, love," he said, "I can't. Not yet." When she calmed, he slipped her arms into the shirt and buttoned it up, quickly covering her exposed flesh. He nudged her toward the bed and watched as she climbed under the blankets. She looked up at him expectantly, her eyes and cheeks glistening with her tears. "Will you s-stay in here with me?" "Is that what you want?" he answered. "Yes," she said. She turned on her side and released a deep breath as he held her close to him. "Is it what you want?" "Yes," he answered, allowing himself the luxury of kissing her hair. "I want to hold you every night for as long as you'll have me." The silence grew heavy as they laid there and after a few minutes, Angel spoke again. "Do you want to talk about it?" "I don't know," she answered, staring off into the darkness. The only time she ever felt safe was in his arms and yet she felt an invisible pull to give him more, to give him everything, like she thought he would erase what Riley had done. She had been mortified when the hospital informed her that she had to press charges against Riley and even more upset when they suggested she see a counselor. She vetoed the shrink immediately and now Angel was trying to fill that role too. "We can start slow," he said, keeping his voice low and soothing. "We can start when you first met him. How did you first start dating?" "Are you going to think less of me?" she asked quietly. "I don't think I can take it if you hate me, Angel." "Not possible, my love," he answered and then clamped his mouth shut. He hadn't planned for the last part to come out and he waited for her to say something, get angry, but she let it slide by quietly. After a moment he added, "Do you really think I could possibly think less of you? You dislike yourself enough for both of us." "Not enough," she whispered, "I don't hate myself nearly enough." "Tell you what," he said, snuggling in and holding her closer against his chest, "I'll hate Riley, which is easy because I already do and we'll just pretend you were a victim of a crime, because you were." "Last year, I met him," she said finally, glad she didn't have to look into his eyes. "I was a freshman and naive. He was sweet and handsome and a popular upperclassman. So we went on a few dates and I thought he was really good for me." "And then?" he urged softly, caressing her arm. "Then..." she said, "I was...he was my first. And after a while I thought that sex just wasn't fun for girls, you know? He just...he told me that I was supposed to sleep with him whenever he wanted. When I said no the first time, he hit me." Angel struggled with every fiber of his being not to speak. He didn't trust his own voice because the fury and anguish welling up inside him was overwhelming. He ground his teeth together and waited for her to continue. "I broke up with him," she said. "I told him it was over that no one treated me like that and then he came back, apologized, promised it would never happen again. I was firm though. There was no way I was going to be what my mother was. I wasn't going to take what she took from my father. He tried everything to get me back for weeks he begged and pleaded and sent me flowers. Eventually, I went back. I don't even know why. "It was good again, or at least as good as we could be for almost a whole month and then it happened again," she said. "That time, I tried to leave and he wouldn't let me. He told me he'd kill himself if I left him, so I stayed. I didn't know what else to do. "Each time, it got worse and he started threatening my friends and my family. He told me he'd kill them, kill me and himself before he'd let me go. He started...he started having sex with me whenever he wanted, when I wasn't...ready and he made me...do other things that I didn't want to do." "What was different this last time?" he asked, after a long pause. "I...I fell in love with you," she said, her voice thick with tears, "And I tried not to and I tried to hide it but I couldn't and he saw right through me. He accused me of cheating on him with you and that was before we had even kissed. That's why he moved in here to begin with, that's why I was so angry with you for letting him in. He said if I broke up with him, he'd kill you in your sleep and I knew he meant it. He meant it. "He can't hurt me, baby," he whispered. "He can't even get in here." "He can," she whimpered, shuddering in his arms. Taking a moment to calm down, she continued, "I was trying to forget you, trying to stay away, but I started having these dreams. You were in them and you loved me...you were...making love to me and it wasn't like Riley. It wasn't like anything else. That night, I was sleeping here at the mansion in Riley's room and I had a dream about you. And I said your name in my sleep, I guess, cause when I woke up..." "It's alright," Angel whispered, turning her over in his arms as she cried, her whole body racking with sobs. "You're safe. We all are. He can't hurt anyone you love now, Buffy. I promise." "What he did to me that night," Buffy said, after she had calmed down. She grabbed his face with both hands and looked directly in his eyes, trying to see him in the dark room. "He said he'd kill you and he wants to. You have to stop looking for him, Angel." "No," Angel answered firmly, "He has to-" "Promise me, you'll stop looking for him," Buffy said, interrupting him and raising her voice. "Promise me! I can't stand it if I lose anyone." "Buffy..." "PROMISE!" "I...dammit...I promise," he grumbled, pulling her into his arms, "I promise." *** Abused RATING: NC-17 **WARNING - DARK*** DEDICATION: For indie and trammie. Oh, how I heart you two. *** i have sinned the sin of wanting more When Buffy woke up in the late morning, she found Angel holding her closely against him, sleeping with his brow furrowed, as if he worried even in his sleep. Her stomach growled angrily and she realized that she had hardly eaten in the last few days. The little bit of popcorn she had shared with Spike last night was hardly a substantial meal. Scooting to the edge of the bed, she looked down on him, taking the opportunity to gaze on his bare chest and abdomen. She had never seen him without a shirt before and it made her temperature rise several notches. She smiled, knowing that he hadn't meant for her to see it at all. Greedily, she raked over his tight, muscular abdomen, broad shoulders, and copper nipples that made her mouth water. Carefully, she reached out and touched his belly, moving slightly with his breaths, and traced up to his chest. She never really thought of a man as beautiful before, but Liam Angelus was certainly that and a whole lot more. She giggled when he reached out in his sleep and pulled her close to him, unknowingly caressing dangerously close to her breasts. Leaning down, she kissed him lightly and pulled away quickly before he woke. She hopped from bed and reality hit her as her wounds made themselves apparent once more. Grimacing, she limped toward the door and stopped to look back at Angel again. His worried expression had faded and his lips were almost in a half smile. God, how she wished she had just skipped over Riley completely, that Angel had found her first. Buffy's intentions were to take a quick shower, but her numerous stinging scrapes and cuts caused the cleaning process to lengthen. It was then that she realized that she hadn't showered since...since Riley and she nearly sobbed with embarrassment. How could she have offered herself to Angel used and tainted like that? He deserved so much more than that, so much more than her. How could he want her when she was so thoroughly broken? Damaged goods. That's what Riley had called her and he was right. Slipping to her knees, she wept for the hundredth time that week, cursing her existence and her stupidity. If only she had been braver, if she had been smarter, she could have saved everyone the pain they were going through. The water was cooling when she rose to her feet and stood on shaking legs. She unhooked her shower puff from rack and sniffled gratefully. She wasn't sure if it was Angel or Willow who had brought all her things into the bathroom but her shampoo, conditioner and soap were all present as well. If she closed her eyes really tightly and thought really hard, she could almost pretend that she was Angel's, that he loved her, that she belonged there. *** i
don't wanna be your good time When Buffy finally finished her shower, she wrapped a towel around herself and planned to search for clothes. In the living room, boxes containing her things were surrounding Angel's expensive furniture. The idea of rooting through those to find something to wear while she was wrapped in a towel before she got to eat something was not the best option, so she tiptoed back to Angel's bedroom. He still slept, breathing deeply. One of his sweaters was draped over a chair near the window and she picked it up, inhaling it before slipping it on. Surrounded by the smell of him in a black sweater falling to her knees like an oversized dress made her feel safe and loved. Managing a small smile, she headed into his kitchenette and scrounged for food. Unfortunately, Angel was a bachelor in every sense, including his refrigerator, which consisted of expired milk, mustard, a single beer and one slice of cheese. Wrinkling her nose in disgust, she wandered out of his apartment and downstairs to see if there was more food in the big kitchen. She vaguely remembered Xander ranting about how Angel hired someone to grocery shop or something. Either they did an awful job or all the food was downstairs. She snuck quietly past the men that lived there, hoping no one would notice her. She suddenly felt inappropriately nude in nothing but Angel's sweater, although it was more clothing than she wore on hotter days. The trip, however, was worth it because the kitchen was a wonderland of yum, with more food than she could have possibly dreamt of. In fact, there was so much that she couldn't decide what to eat. She was getting ready to make a bowl of cereal when Spike strolled in the kitchen and grinned at her. "Hey there, pet," he said, "I was just going to make Dru an omelette. You want one too?" "You can cook?" Buffy asked skeptically. "I'll have you know," he said, pulling out a frying pan from the cabinet and shuffling around to get supplies, "That my wife would have married me for my eggs, if she hadn't already fallen in love with my good looks." Buffy laughed outright and watched him as he cooked, moving around the kitchen comfortably, well aware his surroundings. He talked and quipped, keeping her in giggles as he made the food. Several minutes into the omelette preparation, Dru came in. Buffy thought she floated, rather than walked. Something in the way she moved made her look like the air parted for her, like the elements were left delighted and confused in her wake. "Spike," Dru said, caressing his shoulder as he cooked, "I'm starving. How are you, Buffy?" "Starving," Buffy answered with a smile, "Spike's making me breakfast too." "Flirt," Dru said, chastising him before sliding into the chair beside Buffy. "He shows off, you know. Thinks he's the king of the kitchen." "King of the bedroom," Spike said with a wink, "but a bloke's gotta keep his woman fed." Yelling from the other side of the house, sent all three of them rushing toward the great room seconds later. Buffy froze in fear as she saw Gunn blocking the door, trying to keep an enraged Riley Finn from entering. Spike grabbed Buffy's hand and Dru took the other, framing her on either side protectively. "Sod off," Spike sneered, "You're not welcome here." "Buffy!" Riley shouted. Although Spike's intentions were good, he brought attention to the little blonde holding his hand and Riley forcefully took a step forward, only to be pushed back roughly by Gunn. "You're not coming through this door, man," Gunn said, "And you need to get out of my face before things get ugly." "How many of them are you fucking, you little whore?" Riley raged from the doorway, eyes blazing. "First you sick the police on me, telling them I hurt you and now you're the mansion slut!" "Don't matter what she's doing here," Gunn said, "This is about you leaving." A movement behind her made Buffy peek over her shoulder and at least eight of the mansion's tenants were standing behind her, all looking defiantly angry. A tall, lanky guy, who she thought was named Scott, spoke up loudly. "Sorry, Ri. I don't know what happened between you and Buffy and it's not our business, but you take a step into this house and we all make it ours." "Fuck you, Scott," Riley shouted, "You think I'm afraid of you? Buffy belongs to me!" "And if she walks out there to be with you, then that's up to her, but while she's in this house, she belongs to us," Scott answered forcefully. "Friendly warning, mate," Spike said, squeezing Buffy's hand, "Angel's looking for you. If he finds you here, you're a dead man." "Buffy," Riley said, softening his tone and changing tactics, "Come out here, baby. We can work this out. You know once Angel finds out how you really are, he's going to leave you. Come back to me and we'll take care of this mess." "Please leave," she said softly. "I don't want any trouble, just go before Angel finds you here." "Buffy..." Riley pleaded, "Just give me five minutes to talk to you." "She said no," Gunn said in a low voice, "But we all know you don't understand that word, so let me try rephrasing - Get the fuck out of here." "They won't always be around to protect you, bitch," Riley sneered. *** i
think i lost my smile Angel woke to find Buffy missing and rose sleepily, trying not to jump to immediate alarm as he searched his little inner sanctum for her. She wasn't anywhere to be found. Becoming more worried, he left his room without bothering to throw on a shirt and walked through the mansion. He had planned to stop by Willow's, then Xander's and finally Spike's before panicking, but he didn't even make it to Willow's room before heard yelling downstairs. He ran down the hallway and took the stairs two at time only to find a bunch of the guys standing around Spike and Dru who were trying to comfort a frozen Buffy. "Buffy," Angel said and before he could even ask what was wrong she started speaking, "Nothing happened. Nothing happened, Angel." Helplessly, he looked from her to the faces around the room and back again. He reached out and tipped her chin up, waiting for her to meet his eyes. "Something must have happened," he said softly. Lower lip trembling, she moved into his arms and held him tightly, pressing her face against his bare chest. "Finn," Spike said after long moments, "Wanker tried to get in for her." Tensing up, Angel began unwinding Buffy from his embrace, fully intending on going after him, but Buffy wouldn't let him go. Switching from frozen and afraid to hysterical, she babbled, "No, Angel. You can't. You promised." Bewildered, he just stared at her for a moment as she clutched his arms, digging her fingernails into his skin as she begged. Tears fell freely down her cheeks as she held him tightly, unwilling to let him go. "Buffy," he said gently, "I just want to see if he's still on the property." "Gunn c-called the p-police," Buffy stammered. "He's gone. You promised. You promised me." "Okay," he whispered, scooping her up in his arms, "I won't go. Just calm down, love. Everything's okay." The group watched as Angel carried her back upstairs, all mirroring the same confusion, all trying to figure out who exactly Buffy was protecting. *** time
stops when whispers blare Once Buffy had finally gotten to eat her breakfast, which Spike had delivered for her, and she was fast asleep, Angel slipped on a shirt and headed downstairs to find out what had happened. A few of the guys were still around, although some of them had gone to class. The four still hanging around, along with Spike, who had to be dragged from his wife, relayed the story of what had happened in a bit more detail than Angel would have liked. After a few moments of thoughtful silence, Spike asked, "What exactly did you promise the chit, Peaches? Is she really that worried you're going to hurt the boy?" "Strangely enough," Angel said, "She thinks he's going to hurt me. She made me promise not to go out looking for him." "You can't..." Spike said with a sly grin. "But you can," Angel said, smiling just as broadly and then quirked an eyebrow at his brother. "What's this going to cost me?" "Consider the danger involved as well as the time spent away from Dru," Spike said, rubbing his stomach happily at the possibilities, "I think it's going to cost you...double." "Done," Angel said, with a curt nod of his head, looking around at Gunn and the three remaining guys in the room, he lowered his voice, "Spread the word. Anyone willing to give up their time and energy to keep an eye out for Finn, as well as make sure Buffy is safe when I'm not with her both inside the mansion and out, will have free rent until this is taken care of." "No shit?" One of them asked, confounded by the offer, "Just like that?" "Yeah, just like that," Angel said, rising to his feet. "Angel," Gunn said, shaking his head in mock sadness, "We didn't think we'd lose you to a girl like this. I think you're beyond saving now." "You have no idea," Angel said, before turning and leaving the room. They watched in silence as he mounted the stairs to where Buffy slept. "Wonder if he's ever gonna go to class again," Scott mused once Angel was out of sight. "Not until Buffy does," Gunn answered. "Think he's really in love with her?" Scott asked,. "I mean, she's beautiful and all, but...I don't get it." "Can't see how you would," Spike said, following the path his brother took toward the stairs, "When the right girl has you, there's nothing you won't do for her." "Awww," Gunn said, chuckling, "Isn't it cute how Spike personifies money like that?" *** i'm
so eager to please Angel went back upstairs and found Buffy curled up in his chair, waiting for him in silence. Angel sat down on the couch and looked over at her, waiting for her to speak. She stood and crossed the room and climbed onto his lap, sighing when he wrapped his arms around her. "I've been thinking," Buffy said keeping her cheek against his chest so she wouldn't have to meet his eyes. "What about?" he asked lightly, smoothing his hand over her back. "What I did last night...I shouldn't have done that," she said. "Riley said something today and I hadn't even thought about it until he said it." "What did he say, love?" he asked. "He said you'd find out about me," she said. "I don't want that...I think I'm going to move back to the dorms. This isn't fair to you." "Buffy, I'm confused," he said, moving her so he could look at her face. "What are you talking about?" "Nothing," she said, standing up and moving to her boxes nervously, "Never mind." Angel watched her root around in them looking for clothes for a minute or two before he stood and crossed over to her. Scooping her up in his arms, he took her into the bedroom and sat her down on the bed. He lowered himself to his knees before her and let his hands rest lightly on her hips. "Buffy, I love you," he said. "I am completely, madly, head over heels, can't think straight, insanely in love with you. Do you understand that?" "No," she answered honestly, shaking her head, her eyes bright with tears, "I'm not good enough-" "You're not good enough?" he asked incredulously, "Buffy, you are perfect. You are wonderful and sweet and everything I've ever wanted. I am not good enough for you! I'm an asshole, I'm selfish and I've never done anything to make anyone's life better before I met you." "You rent out your mansion to all these guys for really cheap," Buffy argued. "Because I didn't want to live in this big house alone," he said, "I did that for me, not for them. I wanted people around to party with, that's all." "Still," she said, "You deserve better than me. I'm not worth all this, Angel. I promise I'm not and later, when you realize the truth about me you'll regret saying all these things." "I will never regret loving you," he said sternly, "Whatever Riley said you are, whatever you think of yourself, I can guarantee you that it's not true." "You don't know!" Buffy protested. "You don't know anything about me, Angel! I'm weak and I'm needy! I'm horrible in bed and I can't even protect the people around me." Groaning, he dropped his head for a second and looked back up at her, "Everything that jackass said to you, everything he told you is not true. You aren't weak! You've done nothing but take the brunt of that jerk's abuse to protect the people you loved and him of all people! And horrible in bed? Jesus, Buffy, you're taking the opinion of a rapist who never took the time to make love to you! How does that make sense?" "I don't know," she said, "It just does." "No, it doesn't," he said, "It makes no sense and if I have to spend the rest of my life making you believe it, I will. I love you." Leaning forward, he kissed her gently. Urged on by her little moan, he kissed her more deeply pressing his tongue into her warm mouth and threading his fingers through her hair. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, sucking his tongue into her mouth. When he pulled away, forcing himself to pace their physical interaction, she was panting for air. "God, how do you do that?" she said hoarsely. "Practice," he said, with a wink, his eyes twinkling with mischief and desire as he moved toward her lips again, for just one more taste. Home - Navigation - Affiliates - Random - Fanfiction - Links - Updates - About Tango |
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