Kiss the Rain
By Blu
Page 2 of 2
Disclaimer: All rights reserved for Joss Whedon, the WB, Mutant Enemy, etc. I used the characters for my own personal enjoyment and that of others, not for profit. I have nothing, so don't expect much if you decide to sue. The rights to the song "Kiss the Rain" belong to whoever owns them, and it's not me. I am using the song as my own personal derivation for this story, nothing else. I also only used the lyrics that fitted with my story, so some will be left out. Oh, and the song is inside these *** little things.
.
Part 4
Repetition. Again the same grassy hill, the same people playing afar off, the same sun shining in the sky. But this time Buffy didn't turn immediately to Angel. Instead she sat down to watch the people.
When his shadow fell on her, Buffy craned her neck back and smiled into Angel's face. He returned it, then settled into a crouch behind her. Angel placed his hands on her shoulders and began a gentle massage. Buffy felt her heart speed up.
"Ooh, that feels good," she half-sighed, half-said.
Angel laughed quietly. He continued his massage. "What have you been up to today?" he asked lightly.
"Nothing important," Buffy lied. She jumped when Angel found a sore spot in her neck.
"I thought the Slayer was supposed to heal fast," he teased. Buffy could hear an unusually good mood in his voice.
"Sore muscles don't fit into the 'healing' category I guess. You're very happy, today," commented Buffy, making a quick jump to another topic.
"Mmm. Just a happy day," Angel replied, his hands stilling. He stood and pulled Buffy up to face him. He looked into her eyes, and smiled a bittersweet smile. "I know what you're planning, Buffy." Angel's eyes darkened. "And I don't like it."
Buffy looked away from his searching eyes and over Angel's shoulder. "I knew you wouldn't," she sighed.
"But I know that won't stop you."
Buffy's eyes returned to Angel's. His held love. She smiled. "You'll come for me?"
Angel smiled slightly. "What other choice do I have?"
******When you're feeling lost in the night
When you feel your world just seem tight
Call on me I will be waiting
Count on me I will be there
Anytime the times get too tough
Anytime your best ain't enough
I'll be the one to make it better
I'll be there to protect you
See you through
I'll be there and there is nothing I won't do******
"You could not come," Buffy said seriously, a frown showing itself on her face.
Angel rolled his eyes. "And the moon could come crashing down on the earth, too."
******For you I will lay my life on the line
For you I will fight, for you I will die
With every breath, with all my soul
I'll give my world, I'll give it all
Put your faith in me, and I'll do anything******
Buffy giggled. Angel became serious once again.
"What if I can't get control?" he asked, turning away from Buffy, shutting her out.
"Then I'll get to be with you in a different way," Buffy answered quickly. Buffy placed her hands on his shoulders and massaged them.
Angel turned to her with frustration in his eyes. "But what about your duties?"
Buffy looked down briefly, then raised her gaze to Angel's. "You are more important to me than my duties."
"I shouldn't be. You've saved the world more than once, Buffy. That isn't exactly something you can ignore."
Buffy touched his cheek. "Someone else will take over, should anything happen. But nothing will happen."
Angel looked away. "I wish I could believe you. But I can't. What if I . . ."
Buffy silenced him with a kiss. When she pulled away, she smiled sweetly up at him. Angel half-smiled and tapped her nose lightly with his forefinger.
"You're too good for me," he whispered, brown eyes clouding again.
Buffy shook her head, tears springing to her eyes. "No," she protested. "Never!" She still smiled up at him.
"You have to go now," Angel said with a grin. Buffy hugged him close.
"Thank you."
"For what?" Angel looked surprised. "For being you." Buffy slowly slipped away without a word. Angel kissed her forehead.
.
And then she was back in her room, Cordy and Willow watching her. Buffy sat up, wiping the tears from her face. Willow looked close to tears herself, and Cordy was suspiciously without mascara. Buffy smiled at them both.
They agreed to meet at the library at sunset and the girls parted company.
.
It was ten minutes before sunset and Buffy paced the alleyway outside Spike and Druscilla's warehouse-building. She hadn't met the others at the library like she had said, not wanting to put them in harm's way. She figured it would take them at least fifteen minutes while they waited for her, and ten or more after that to decide to come after her.
Gotta get this over with quick. Buffy told herself. She almost believed she could do it without her friends beside her. Almost.
A car horn sounding awoke Buffy from her stupor. Xander, Cordy, Willow, Oz, and Giles all piled out of Giles' car (don't ask me how they all fit, it just works with my story) and rushed over to Buffy.
"Guys! What are you doing here???!!!" Buffy held her voice to a loud whisper.
"Please, Buffy!" Willow rolled her eyes, although her lips were smiling. "Like we don't know you well enough to know you'd try to ditch us!"
"Yeah," Xander put in, pulling a stake out of his jacket pocket. "Like you have every other time it was important."
"You really shouldn't be so predictable, Buffy," Cordy said, studying her nails. She tried to look disinterested but didn't pull it off too well.
"We're here for you," Giles shuffled his feet and played with his glasses.
"Yeah," Oz nodded enthusiastically. His right arm was wrapped around Willow protectively. He held a cross the size of a basketball in his other hand.
"Thanks, guys." Buffy's voice cracked. She turned to the warehouse and her face paled. She briskly walked to the entrance.
.
Part 5
"Buffy," Giles grasped her arm before she could get close to the door. Buffy waited for him to speak. "Angelus will be at his most distracted when he takes your blood, if he takes it. If Angel doesn't..." Giles trailed off, but Buffy got his meaning. If Angel couldn't overpower Angelus, as he fed would be the best time to escape. Buffy nodded gravely and turned back to the warehouse.
The other four teens plus Giles followed Buffy to the closest door. Buffy looked behind her once and smiled nervously at her friends. Gaining confidence from their presence, she knocked lightly on the metal door, then lifted her leg and kicked it in.
A shaft of leftover sunlight from the sunset fell onto a petite vamp standing in shock near the door. She let out a shriek and jumped away from the source of her pain. Her left arm and the left side of her face were smoking and blisters could be seen forming there.
The female vamp's shriek had alerted the other vampires in the building and they rushed the intruders. Buffy spotted Spike and Druscilla in the far corner. She ducked low and flipped one vamp over her shoulder, kicked another out of her way, and ran toward the vampire couple. Dru saw her coming and quickly wheeled Spike out of the action and away from the fight. Buffy watched them leave the scene and turned to check on her friends.
Giles was in the process of staking a vicious looking vamp, Xander was pulling a tall one off Cordy, while she picked up a stake off the floor and turned to face another. Willow and Oz double-teamed a wily and robust vamp in the far corner. Buffy scanned the large room anxiously. Her eyes found Angelus watching the action from the catwalk above. Buffy moved as unobtrusively as she could toward him. He turned and his eyes followed her every movement. When she got near the top of the ladder, he reached down and held out his hand. Buffy frowned, but took it, and was pulled up to his level.
"Slayer," Angelus greeted her with a smirk. His game face was nowhere to be seen.
"Slayee," Buffy played along with his dangerous game.
"You came to see me?" Angelus asked, backing away off the catwalk to another room. Buffy knew better, but she followed him anyway.
"Why else would I be here?" quipped Buffy, examining her surroundings without really taking her eyes off Angelus.
Crates filled a corner of the room, they were stacked all the way to the ceiling. Old blankets and towels were scattered on the floor, making it hard to avoid tripping on them. A single bulb dimly lighted the dirty room.
"Well, let's get this party started!" Angelus let his game face slip into place. Something in Buffy's eyes flickered. She assumed a basic fighting stance. Sounds of struggle could still be heard from below.
Angelus circled Buffy in a very preditory way. Buffy felt her stomach begin quivering. She side-stepped as Angelus made his first move. She brought her elbow down on his back, angering him. He growled and lunged for her. Buffy side-stepped but didn't get completely out of Angelus' way. His claws dug through her shirt and skin, leaving a trail of blood.
Better hurry up and lose this fight, Buffy told herself or there won't be much blood left for him to take.
Buffy faked a left jab, and Angelus ducked. She pretended to bring her right knee up into his stomach, but he saw her, grabbed her leg and pulled upward, laying Buffy flat on her back. She arched her back and jumped back up, breathing hard, mostly for his benefit.
"Wearing out already, Slayer?" Buffy didn't reply. Angelus threw a punch right for her face. Buffy tried to moved out of the way, but it connected, and she was thrown backward. Angelus advanced. Buffy kicked out at him, but purposely the kick went wild, and he continued advancing.
"Ready to die, Slayer?" Angelus came at her with a left hook, then a solid right and then she was right in front of him. He grabbed hold of her shoulders, holding her tightly. Angelus lowered his face to hers. Buffy let her face appear to show defeat. Her mind raced, along with her heartbeat.
******Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you******
Angel I love you her mind whispered.
Buffy bared her neck to him. Angelus wrapped her in a crushing bear hug. Her breathing became labored. Buffy saw her chances for escape wearing thin.
I really hope this works.
Angelus watched her face, greed heightening his grotesque features.
"What, not gonna scream, Slayer?" he taunted. Buffy didn't acknowledge his words. A lone tear ran down her cheek. Angelus kissed it away tenderly. "Finally I get what I really want," he whispered in her ear.
He lowered his head and placed another kiss at the base of her neck. Then Buffy felt biting (I know, really bad pun) pain as his sharp teeth sank into her flesh. She felt lightheaded for the briefest of moments.
Suddenly Buffy was pushed away. Angelus groaned in pain and slumped to the floor. Buffy anxiously stood by, pressing a hand to her neck, waiting for whatever outcome should happen. Angelus rocked back and forth in agony. He became still and was silent.
Buffy fought desperately for control of her emotions. She watched him stand and turn to her. His face was human.
That doesn't mean much. Buffy stared into Angel's eyes. They were sad and pained.
"Angel." He nodded and reached out one hand, looking very much like Buffy wouldn't take it. But she did, of course, right before she wrapped herself in his arms.
"Welcome back," Buffy whispered into his shoulder. She cried in relief.
Xander rushed into the room, a two-by-four held over his head, ready for battle. When he caught sight of the pair locked in an embrace he dropped his weapon.
"Then it did work."
Buffy nodded, still crying into Angel's shirt. "The others?" she asked hesitantly.
"Waiting for you. We're pretty beat up, all of us, but we'll be okay after a few days. I need to get Cordy home..." Xander left the room.
Angel stepped back and examined Buffy's neck. He absently tore off a piece of his t-shirt and applied pressure to the bite marks.
"We should get you home," he remarked, brushing her hair away from her face. Buffy smiled.
This would be the One I've been waiting for.
.
Part 6
Giles removed the teens from the fight scene as quickly as he could. Buffy took Angel's arm and pulled him along with her as she walked home.
Buffy refused to release his arm. It was almost as if she thought he would disappear if she let go of him. She sighed gratefully.
"I am so glad you're here!" she murmured, lying her head on his shoulder.
Angel did not reply.
"Angel?" Buffy asked quietly. He pulled away slightly. Buffy looked up into his face. It was set as stone. Angel pulled his arm away from Buffy's grasp. She felt tears spring to her eyes. Maybe he just needs time to adjust. Buffy tried to think positively. Her heart cried out. Why is he so cold and distant?
Buffy didn't speak for the remainder of the walk home. When Angel paused at the edge of her front yard, Buffy turned to him.
"Thanks for walking me home," she said coolly. Then, taking him by surprise, Buffy took his face in her hands and kissed his mouth. She turned away to hide her tears. Let him take that home with him!
Angel stepped back into the shadows. He watched her strut up to the front door. She was actually home before her curfew tonight. Won't her mom be thrilled? Then Angel turned and walked into the darkness, his soul aching.
.
Buffy watched him fade away into the night from her window. She sat on the edge of her bed and unconsciously began fiddling with her claddagh ring.
******As I walk this land of broken dreams
I have visions of many things
Happiness is just an illusion
Filled with sadness and confusion******
Her heart ached for the comfort of Angel's arms.
.
Angel walked Sunnydale's streets (not that there were that many of them), thinking of nothing but her. She had taken an awful risk in facing Angelus. He hadn't been sure at all that he could overpower the demon in control of his body.
******I can't stand this pain much longer
I walk in shadows searching for light
Cold and alone, no comfort in sight******
He felt awed that Buffy could trust him so much, but that trust had put her in danger before. I'll just go away, and never come back. Angel nodded decisively to himself. But I love her. Angel frowned darkly. If I love her, I don't want her to be hurt again. Angel sighed.
******There's no hope for beginning
All that's left is an unhappy ending
I've been searching everywhere
Just to find someone to care******
.
Buffy nervously paced her bedroom floor. I'm going to go crazy without him, I've been without him for so long. Without reserve she climbed out her window and began prowling the streets, waiting to feel the funny tingle she always felt when Angel was near. It was different than the feelings she felt around other vamps, subtler, more warm than cold. Like Angel.
******And I miss you
Like the deserts miss the rain******
I miss my old, brooding Angel...(don't we all?)
.
It began to mist lightly, and sprinkled rain off and on. Angel turned his face up to the sky and a groan was ripped from his throat. I have to get my mind off Buffy.
The sight of a tall, skinny vampire about to prey on a young girl spurred Angel into action. He knocked the vamp off its feet and dispatched it rather quickly. He turned to the girl, only to be surprised when she showed a vampire visage. Must have been a trap. Angel drew a stake from his coat pocket. Ya think! he thought with a laugh. After a brief struggle, the smaller female vampire was a bit of mud being washed down the street.
Angel roamed the streets. It was nearing dawn when he spotted a familiar figure. Buffy.
.
The clammy night air pressed in on Buffy's lungs. I've been prowling for hours and I haven't seen hide nor hair of Angel. Buffy began to get desperate. What if he's already left Sunnydale. I know how Angel's mind works. He doesn't want me to be in danger. Buffy felt tears begin streaming down her face. She angrily wiped them away with the back of her hand.
All of a sudden a large male vampire tackled Buffy from behind. The breath whooshed from her lungs. She landed two good punches and rolled away as the vamp got up. Her eyes glittered dangerously, still filled with unshed tears. Two kicks, three punches and a single stab later the vamp was dust. Buffy brushed of her clothes. A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
"You could've picked a better night to mess with me," she said to the dust still falling in the misty air. A shiver ripped it's way down Buffy's spine. She spun and spotted a tall form in the shadows. A surprisingly gutteral growl issued form Buffy's lips and she took a flying leap at the shadow. It surprised the attacker so much that he ended up pinned beneath her boots, almost the same way he had been the very first time they met.
"Buffy, it's me!" Angel protested with an apologetic grin. Buffy removed her boot and he sat up.
"Angel!" Buffy purred in a sugary-sweet voice. She leaned down, pretending to help him off his backside. Instead, she punched him so hard his eyes rolled back into his head and he slumped back onto the ground, unconscious. Buffy shook her hand gingerly.
"Ow," she muttered, rising from her crouch.
.
Angel's brain kicked back in. The first thing it told him was "SHE HIT ME!" Angel rolled his head back and forth, confusion setting in. The fog clouding his brain rolled out to sea. Angel sat up swiftly, his backbone ramrod straight, ignoring the pain in his head. His eyes flashed open.
"You hit me!" He accused. Buffy was nowhere to be seen. And this wasn't a Sunnydale street, it was a bedroom. Buffy's bedroom. Angel's brow furrowed. Then he glanced at the window. Sunlight was peaking through the edges of the closed curtains.
Angel grimaced and pulled himself off the bed. He rubbed his face roughly, opened the door and slowly padded down the hall.
When he arrived in the kitchen doorway, Angel flinched. Bright sunlight streamed thought the kitchen window. Buffy paced across the small kitchen floor, oblivious to the sunshine that turned her hair a thousand shades of gold. She turned abruptly to Angel. Her eyes visibly brightened before she shuttered them.
"You're up," she said flatly, closing the shade immediately. Angel now stepped into the room.
"We need to talk," Angel leaned casually on the kitchen counter (the island part).
Buffy nodded, her face expressionless, and picked up a half-full coffee mug that was sitting in front of her. She sipped absently at it, her eyes glued to Angel. He shifted under her gaze.
"Buffy," Angel began quietly. "I tried to leave Sunnydale last night," he confessed, adjusting his jacket cuff nervously.
"I know." Buffy's voice emerged emotionless, but her insides were twisted in knots. "And I know why."
Angel's eyes took a full measure of Buffy. He smiled awkwardly. "I guess you do."
Buffy reached out and touched Angel's arm.
******Let me see you through, 'cause I've seen the dark side too
When the falls on you, you don't know what to do
Nothing you confess could make me love you less
I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you******
"But I didn't . . ." Angel interrupted himself. "I couldn't leave Sunnydale." Angel looked down at her hand resting on his arm. "Couldn't leave you." his voice was low.
"How sweet," Buffy's voice was carefully controlled. Her heart was thudding, betraying her. She wondered if Angel could hear it. He could've told her that he could, but he didn't think she'd particularly care for that tidbit of information right now.
"You're mad," Angel stated, not really requiring an answer.
"No." Buffy swallowed with difficulty. "I..." Buffy set her coffee cup down abruptly, causing a loud clang. She removed her hands from Angel's arm and wrapped both of her arms around herself, and turned slightly away.
"Buffy, talk to me," Angel touched her back. She turned swiftly to him and threw her arms around his waist.
"I don't want you to leave me," Buffy murmured into his shirt.
********Angel eyes with your angel eyes
Will you always be there to hold me
Angel eyes I'm satisfied
I don't want to hear your story
'Cause I can see the things
I really want to see
I'm in love
I believe in what I'm feeling
I'd give everything up just for you
Love is devoted to those who see
that the last dance, you dance with the truth
Angel eyes with your angel eyes
Will you always be there to hold me
Angel eyes I'm satisfied
I don't want to hear your story
'Cause I can see the things I really want to see
In your eyes********
"Angel, I don't want to hear how you don't want me to get hurt, how you want to protect me. I already know all that stuff. I just want you to love me. That's all I ask of you. I just want your love. Nothing else."
*******Although loneliness has always been a friend of mine, I'm leaving my life in your hands
People say I'm crazy and that I am blind, risking it all in a glance
How you got me blind is still a mystery, I can't get you out of my head
Don't care what is written in your history, as long as you're with me
I don't care who you are, where you're from, what you did
As long as you love me
Who you are, where you're from, don't care what you did
As long as you love me
Every little thing that you have said and done, feels like it's deep within me
Doesn't really matter if you're on the run, it seems like we're meant to be*******
Angel closed his eyes. How in the world can she love me the way I am?
Buffy took a hold of herself mentally and stepped back. Angel's arms felt empty without her in them. "So what do you say?" she asked softly, almost afraid to meet his eyes.
********Every heartbeat bears your name
loud and clear they stake my claim
my red blood runs true blue
and every heartbeat belongs to you.********
Angel grinned. "I still say you should've been a psychologist."
The End
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