Once Again
By Amy Mina
amymina(at)yahoo.com
Page 4 of 5
Disclaimer: Characters such as Buffy, Angel, Xander and others belong to Joss Whedon and the WB. The few characters that I have made up such as Marissa and Jeff belong to me.
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Part 7
Buffy looked in the hallway to make sure that no one was coming. Seeing no orderly in sight, she left her room, trying to hold up the confidence of being a nurse. Moving slower and concentrating kept her from falling over. She kept going, even though her knees and legs felt like jelly. Turning corner after corner, she wondered if she was ever going to find a way out.
At the first pair of doors she saw, she breathed a sigh of relief and quickened her pace to reach them. Once passing through them, she looked up at the sky and gave a triumphant laugh. "I win!" she screamed out, speaking for the first time since she had given birth to Marissa. Throwing a fist up, she laughed again. Ignoring the strange looks from the people around her, she left the parking lot, debating on what to do first. She knew that the wise choice would be to either call Xander or Willow, still not sure of Angel's last name. Looking around for the nearest payphone, she began to wander from the hospital and towards downtown Sunnydale, if she could call it that.
As she walked down the curb, she saw that the town had changed some even though she had only been gone six years. Noticing that there was a separate building for the mental part of the hospital as the rest of it, she smirked. Gee, I wonder why that is. Trying to remember where the nearest phone would be, she turned in the direction of the mall. Walking down the sidewalk, she took the time to think. What will everyone say when I return? She felt her stomach turn over in nervousness. Summers, calm down, you haven't even called anyone yet. Buffy decided to take her time walking to the mall and took in the scenery around her. She watched as the cars passed her and observed some differences. Smiling to herself, she wondered if they could fly too. You've watched too much Back To The Future, it isn't even 2015, I think. After a twenty-minute walk, she arrived at the mall. Walking inside, she saw that there were different stores, but not much else had changed. Heading to the payphone booth, she picked up the telephone book. "Rosenburg, Rosenburg. Where are ya Will?" When she found the phone number, she let out a squeal of delight. Ripping the page from the book, she headed towards the address.
"Rubello Drive," Buffy murmured to herself in surprise. "1642 Rubello Drive, I'm surprised she would want to live down the road from my old house after everything that happened." Buffy stuck the paper in the pocket on the front of the nurse's outfit, and headed in the direction of her old home. Already beginning to feel tired, due to her unused muscles, she took her time and was sure to make frequent stops.
Remembering that the shortest way to Rubello Drive was through the graveyard, she turned off the path that she had been following for almost an hour to cut through it. I need to get back in shape, she complained to herself again. As she walked through the graveyard, multiple memories of hours spent in there quickly resurfaced. Looking back on them, she was able to smile. The memories that stuck out the most to her were the countless hours of making out with Angel when she was supposed to be hunting. She began to wonder if Giles ever caught on to what was really happening. Buffy let out a quiet chuckle and sat at the nearest bench to take another quick break.
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"Let me do it, Uncle Xander," Marissa insisted, as Xander tried to unlock the front door. Xander backed up, and Marissa took the key and turned it. Opening the door, she ran back to Angel and grabbed his hand between her own. Slowly leading him into the house, she dropped his hand and let Xander inside.
"Thank you," replied Angel, before heading towards his bedroom.
"Is he okay, Uncle Xander?" asked Marissa.
"Probably tired. I don't think he's moved this much since before he lost his sight."
"What happened?" asked Marissa.
Xander thought for a minute before commenting. "You should ask him, Marissa. It's not my place to tell you."
"But-"
"No buts," interrupted Xander, sternly. "If you want to know, ask. It's up to him to tell you. Now, get ready for bed."
"Okay," replied Marissa. "Is Angel going to sleep on the sofa with me tonight?"
"No," replied Angel, coming into the room. "Why don't you sleep in my room. I got the sofa."
"Are you sure?" asked Marissa. "But I want to have a sleepover again."
Xander looked at Marissa's face and smiled. It was good that Angel couldn't see her face when she wanted something. With her lower lip and pouting face, he wouldn't be able to resist.
"We'll have it again another time. Now, listen to Uncle Xander and get ready for bed."
"Okay," agreed Marissa. She walked over to Angel and pulled on his arm. He bent down, and she gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Night, Angel."
"Night, Marissa." She went off to Angel's room to get dressed for bed and brushed her teeth. Angel stood up and listened to her go. When the door shut, Xander turned to Angel.
"You can't keep the truth from her forever," said Xander to Angel.
"Yes I can."
"I don't understand why you would want to. She loves you already."
Angel turned to Xander, but instead of his normal anger, he appeared sad. "I want to tell her, Xander. I want to tell her so bad, but want about when she finds out my past. What if she wants to know why I wasn't there to support her mom. How will I explain to her?"
"You just need to take care of things as they come up. I don't think you'll be sorry if she knows. I think she wants to know who her father is as bad as you wish that she knew."
"I'll think about it," said Angel. Xander nodded, forgetting that Angel couldn't see, and walked by. Angel's arm shot up and landed on his shoulder to stop him. "Thanks," he said to Xander.
"Anytime," Xander replied, before moving on to his bedroom and getting ready for bed.
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"What would you like to eat?" Willow asked her fiancé from the kitchen.
"I don't know, what do you have?" he asked, walking in. Willow opened the fridge and made a face.
"Not much. I guess I haven't been shopping lately. How does take-out sound?"
"Sounds good to me. What do you want?"
"Pizza."
"Okay, I'll call it in."
"Thanks," Willow answered and left the kitchen. Heading to her bedroom, to slip into something more comfortable, she jumped as someone knocked on the front door. "I got it!" she called out. Undoing the lock and opening it, she slowly opened on the door. When she saw Buffy was on the other side, her mouth dropped open.
"Hello Willow," came Buffy's voice softly. Willow continued to stare at her friend, trying to decide if she was real. "Wil?" asked Buffy, concern showing on her face. "Are you okay?" Willow ignored Buffy and put both of her faces on Buffy's cheeks. She felt tears began to flow down her face.
"Buffy?" she whispered. "Is that you?"
"Yes," said Buffy. "It's me, Willow, I'm back." Willow dropped her hands from Buffy's face and engulfed her in a hug. Buffy hugged the girl back, but quickly found that Willow was keeping the air from flowing into her lungs. Ignoring the feeling, she just hugged Willow tighter.
"Hey, Willow, the pizza will be ready in 15 minutes." Jeff walked into the living room and stopped at the sight of Willow and the young woman she was with. He immediately recognized her a Buffy, having been to her room a few times with Willow and seeing multiple pictures. He slowly snuck back into the kitchen.
"Buffy," said Willow, her voice catching. She backed up and took Buffy's face once again in her hands. "Buffy, how are you, what are you, how?"
Buffy smiled into Willow's confused and overjoyed face. "I'm back, Wil," she whispered. "I'm finally back and I'm here to make things right."
"Oh, Buffy," she started to say. Buffy saw that Willow's tears had started again, and put her arm around Willow's waist and they walked over to the nearest couch. Buffy took the tissue box and placed it on her lap, handing a few to Willow.
"Better?" Buffy asked. Willow laughed through her tears and gave Buffy a smile. "The wonders of a tissue."
"How are you back?" asked Willow. "We never thought we would talk to you again, see you walk or smile again. What happened?"
Buffy spent the next half-hour trying to explain to Willow what had brought her back. Unnoticed to them, Jeff left and returned with the pizza about the same time that Buffy had finished explaining everything to Willow. He entered the living room and set the box in front of Willow and Buffy. "Pizza?" he asked. Buffy smiled at him graciously, realizing the hunger that she felt.
"How thoughtless of me, you must be starved," said Willow jumping up and running to the kitchen. She grabbed a few cans of Pepsi and some napkins and brought them out to the living room. Willow and Jeff sat and watched Buffy practically inhale three pieces of pizza. When she caught them staring at her, she smiled sheepishly.
"Not eating for almost six years makes a person hungry," Buffy told them, and grabbed her fourth piece. Willow and Jeff both laughed at this and each took a piece for themselves. After Buffy finished it, she bounced up from the sofa.
"What's wrong?" asked Willow.
"I just realized, I don't know who this is," replied Buffy, indicating Jeffrey. She held out her hand, and he stood up to shake her hand. "Nice to meet you, who are you?"
"Nice to meet you too. I'm Jeffrey, Willow's fiancé. And you're Buffy. Very famous around here."
Buffy sat back down and looked outside. "I can't believe it's already dark." She turned back to Willow. "I have to ask this Wil, how is Angel?"
"Joyce, your mother, called tonight. Marissa has been living with Angel and Xander for the past day. She said things couldn't be going better. Angel and Marissa are very happy together. Joyce said 'Angel has found a new purpose for living.'"
Buffy smiled. "And my mom? How are her and Giles' new twins coming along?"
"Good I guess. She hasn't had any problems yet, and they are very proud."
"Xander and Cordelia, how are they?"
"Very much in love," replied Willow. "I wonder how they ever claimed to hate each other. Their wedding is set for Marissa's sixth birthday."
"And yours? When is yours set for?"
Jeffrey took Willow's hand in his own. "January 19th."
"My birthday?" asked Buffy. "Are you trying to purposely jinx your wedding?"
Willow gave a small chuckle. "No. It is also the anniversary of Jeff's parents. They died a few years ago."
"Oh, I'm sorry," said Buffy.
"Thank you," replied Jeffrey.
"What was it?"
"Vampires." Buffy looked surprised at Willow. Willow nodded her head.
"I guess word gets around in Sunnydale," said Buffy.
"A lot more than you would think." Jeffrey looked at his watch and planted a quick kiss on Willow's forehead. "I have to go home."
"Okay," said Willow, standing up and giving him a quick kiss. "Love you."
"Love you too. Night." Jeff left the apartment and silently closed the door behind him. Willow turned back to Buffy.
"So, Buffy, I think it's time for us to go to bed. I have some clothes you can wear to sleep in."
"I would really like to see my daughter tonight," said Buffy, standing up.
"I understand, but now the vamps are out, and it's raining as well. It won't do for your daughter to see you tired and worn out, come on, get some sleep."
Buffy nodded her head and followed Willow into the spare room. After climbing in between the sheet, she tried to sleep, but found that Angel's face, as well as the face of what her daughter might look like, run through her head. Pulling back the sheets, she got out of the bed and grabbed a robe. A quick search revealed a few hidden stakes, and so took them with her. Sneaking down the hall and back down the stair, she left the house, and slipped into the night.
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Part 8
"What is your problem today?" Dan asked himself about Lita. She had been more difficult than usual that night, pounding on him more than necessary. Refusing to do certain exercises. She had been drawn away into her own little world. Dan had gotten used to her constant anger and jerky behaviors, but today was different. Being concerned, he told her to take five and went to his office to relax for a few minutes. Grabbing an ice pack from the freezer, he placed it on his hip and sat down.
Dan watched her through the library window. Lita took a long swig from her watch bottle and sat down at the table. Dan watched as she rubbed her face with her hands and she took in a deep breath. He stood at the window and silently prayed. This is my slayer, Lord, and I don't know enough about her to help her. What makes her the way she is? How can I help her?
Lita looked around at the library not even noticing her watcher standing, watching her behavior. She felt like she was drowning and couldn't hold up her anger today. It had been six years before today. When she was just ten, and vampires had destroyed her life, killing her parents. God only knows why he didn't let them kill her. Today, all she could she was the look on her parents faces as they died. Burying her head in her hands, she let herself grieve for the first time since their funeral.
Dan watched her in surprise from the office window. Before he knew what was happening, he quickly left the office and gathered the crying teen in his arms. Lita threw her arms around him and sobbed into his shoulder. She began crying for her daddy. He held her tightly and sympathized with the young girl. After a time of crying, she slowly backed up and looked at him. He gave her a small smile and handed her his handkerchief. She smiled back and used it to wipe her nose. Dan waited till she was finished. "Want to talk about it?" he asked.
Lita looked at Dan, then looked to her lap. She needed someone to talk to, she knew that. Finally deciding that he could be trusted, she began to tell him her story. "I knew about my destiny when I was only five years old. My mother's father had been a potential watcher, and he had taught her self-defense to help keep her safe from the vampires. As soon as they knew that I was going to be a slayer, they decided to train me themselves. I spent five years of my life training for a destiny that I didn't fully understand.
"One night when I was ten, they left, saying that the former slayer was no longer able to do her job, and that they had to go out for awhile. They made sure that I remembered not to invite anyone in. I was the only one home. I decided to stay up to wait for them. After a few hours, I heard some noises, and looked out the window to see my parents running towards the house. I ran to open the door. When I did, two vampires jumped out of the bushes and grabbed my parents. They were just a few feet from the door." Her voice began to get choked up, and she wrapped her arms around herself. "I watched as they were drained to death. There was nothing I do. The only thing that kept me from being drained as well, was the fact that I wouldn't invite them in."
She paused, and Dan looked at her. "What happened after that?"
"They sent me to live on the Hellmouth with my aunt and uncle. I've been here ever since, remembering that I had a destiny and waiting to be activated."
Dan was silent for a few moments. "Is that why you hate it so much?"
"Hate what?"
"Your destiny."
Lita thought for a minute. "No, I don't really hate my destiny. It gives me a purpose in life. It makes me feel like I'm doing something worthwhile, something that's going to make a different, no matter how small."
Dan smiled, and for the first time, he felt like he was seeing the real Lita and not just some face that was put on every day. Lita smiled back, almost like she was able to read his thoughts. "You probably thought I hated everyone. How mean I am towards you."
Dan gave a small nod and a laugh, embarrassed that he was so easily read. "I guess that's what I believed."
Lita smiled again and laid her hand on his arm. "I'm sorry I treated you all so bad. I really do like you. I know you think about me constantly, and even though I don't share your faith, I appreciate your prayers for me. I think I felt too scared to let anyone fight with me or help me. I keep thinking that if I hadn't been born to be a slayer, my parents would still be alive."
Dan shook his head. "They made their choices in life, and fighting was their choice."
"Just as I have made mine," said Lita. "I have a favor to ask. My aunt and uncle are moving across the country, and I refused to go with them. I have no place to stay, no friends to bunk with. I know I shouldn't be asking this, but considering our job together, my I live with you? At least for awhile?"
Dan looked at her, a little surprised. "I don't know."
"I understand," said Lita. "But I can't leave, and I need someplace to go."
Dan thought for a few minutes before a smile lit his face. "I have the perfect idea. Joyce and Rupert, a former watcher and a slayer's mother, are having twins in six months. Joyce isn't real young, in her forties. I think they would let you live with them for awhile, if you could help with the new babies in your spare time."
"Oh, I don't know," said Lita. "What if I endanger them? It could kill their kids."
"I'll talk to them," promised Dan. "Until then, once your relatives leave, you can stay with me, on one condition."
"Name it," replied Lita.
"Be yourself, not some distant stranger."
"Deal," said Lita, shaking his hand firmly.
"Are you up to patrolling some tonight?" he asked.
"I think so."
"Okay, good, I'll come with you."
"Why?" asked Lita, watching him as he ran back into his office.
"It's a good idea for the watcher to go out with the slayer every once in a while," he replied, coming out of his office. "You don't mind, do you?"
"I do, a little," Lita admitted, "but I'll deal with it."
Dan nodded. "Okay, let's head out then."
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Angel woke up, drenched in sweat. Something wasn't right, and he had no clue what it was. He grabbed the cane standing next to the sofa, and exited the room as quickly as possible. Walking into his bedroom, he headed right to the bed. Slowly bending over it and feeling for Marissa, he discovered that she was sleeping deeply. He breathed a sigh of relief and left the room. But the feeling wasn't gone. He still knew that something wasn't right. Angel walked over to Xander's door and knocked. It took a minute, but Xander finally answered it.
"Angel?" came the voice, groggy and slightly annoyed "What's wrong?"
"Something's not right, Xander," Angel answered, wanting to make his understand.
"Excuse me?" was Xander's reply.
"Something just isn't right. I checked on Marissa she was fine, but something is still wrong."
Xander sighed in exasperation. "Go back to bed, Angel. There is nothing wrong, it's your imagination."
"No, Xander, there really is something wrong," insisted Angel.
"I think it's the father side of you," replied Xander. "Listen, give it an hour. If this, this feeling doesn't go away, we'll talk some more. Now go get some sleep."
Xander shut the door and headed right to the bed. Angel headed back to the sofa and pressed the button on watch, and discovered that it was only one-thirty. Trying to push aside the annoyance at being treated like a child by Xander, he turned on his side and attempted to sleep.
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Buffy kept a stake she had taken from Willow's house tightly in her hand. Walking as quick as she could, but with the skill of a hunter, she headed towards the address that she had found in Willow's house. Buffy felt badly about sneaking out on her friend, but couldn't wait any longer to see Angel and Xander. Taking a quick break on a nearby bench, she looked around. She noticed two people walking, a young girl, probably no older than eighteen and a young man, who had to be around twenty-five. They each carried a backpack and stay close to each other. Buffy thought back to her hunting days with Giles, and how much fun it was at times. Getting up, she began to walk again, when two guys stepped in her path. When they didn't move for a few seconds, she looked up at them.
"Move out of my way," she said, quietly but firmly. One grinned at her, and the other kept a poker face. "Now," she said, a little louder.
"What if we're hungry?" asked the one with the poker face.
She took a closer look at the two men and reached inside to wake up the slayer feelings in her. Within moments, she knew that these weren't humans, they were vampires. She gave them her hunter's smile that she used to flash at vampire's before killing them. "I don't know," she replied. "Guess you're just going to have to deal."
The grinning one appeared young and stupid to Buffy. He bared his teeth, and didn't even see her punch coming. Once it connected, Buffy felt pain through her hand. Muttering a few nasty words, she held her hand tenderly. She didn't have the strength to fight with them, and not enough to run.
"I'm sorry," she said, trying to cover her pain. She shrugged to appear nonchalant. "It slipped."
"Let's see if you can do this," replied Mr. Smiley, as she dubbed him. He jumped forward and attempt to throw his arms around her. Buffy improvised quickly and stuck out her stake. He ran into it, and turned to dust.
Buffy smiled in pleasure. She felt right being back and fighting the vampires. Looking at the poker faced one, she saw surprise, and then recognition. "The slayer, the old slayer," he muttered.
Buffy nodded. "And glad to be back and kicking," she replied. He kicked her arm. Buffy wasn't prepared for this, and the stake went flying. Buffy looked at him, trying to anticipate his next move. He began to circle, so she did the same. They continued like this for a few moments, till he jumped forward into her legs and they both went flying backwards. She twisted in his grip, and attempted to scoot over to the stake. He climbed up her body, and had her pinned on her stomach within a few minutes. He moved her hair away from her neck and breathed on it.
"It is such a privilege to kill the slayer that killed the master. Goodbye."
"Not that you'll be able to do it," came a female voice from behind them. The vampire turned around and was kicked off of Buffy. She crawled over to the stake and gripped it tightly. Turning around, she saw the young couple from earlier, with the girl fighting the vampire. With in a couple good, hard kicks, he was eliminated. The girl and man looked at Buffy, and the man's jaw dropped.
"Lita," he said, trying to get the words out. "Do you realize who this is?" Lita shook her head, and the man continued to stare at her.
"Who?" she asked. Buffy stood as the couple looked her over. "Another slayer?"
Buffy looked at the girl and noticed the physical fitness and agility. She knew this was another slayer. The man just continued to stare at her. Buffy took matters into her own hand and introduced herself to the girl. "Hello," she said, sticking out her hand. "I'm Buffy."
"Lita," responded the girl, firmly taking her hand. Something about Buffy's name rung a bell, but she couldn't think of what it was. "And this," Lita replied, dropping her hand and pointing out the man next to her, "Is Dan."
"Hello," said Buffy, giving him a little wave. She turned back to the girl. "Your watcher?"
Lita nodded her head, remembering her quick suggestion about the girl being another slayer. "Yeah, he's usually more talkative than this," she added, teasingly. Lita gave Buffy another smile. "There's something about your name that sounds familiar," she said to Buffy.
"You're here," said Dan, finally finding his voice. "Angel, you."
Buffy smiled in surprise and amusement. "You know Angel?" she asked.
"Of course we know Angel," replied Lita, Dan once again appearing to be speechless. She thought for a few minutes, and finally realized where she had heard her name before. "You're her!" exclaimed Lita.
When both of her new friends fell silent, Buffy looked at them closer. "Okay, guys, hate to interrupt your self-realization, but who is 'her?'"
"You're Buffy? Angel's girl? The one who's been in a coma for six years?" asked Dan.
"That would be me," Buffy replied. "The one and only Buffy, the vampire slayer with Angel, the formal vampire. Why?"
"What are you doing out here at the middle of the night?" he asked. "When did you wake up? How did you wake up?"
"I'm on my way to see Angel, I woke up earlier today, and I don't know why I woke up, I'm just glad to be back. Do you think you could help me get to Angel?"
"Sure," replied Lita. She ran over and picked up the backpack that she had dropped when she went to fight the vampires. Seeing Dan still standing in the same spot that he had been for the past few minutes. Lita motioned to him and laughed, with Buffy joining in. Lita and Buffy each took one arm to pull him along. Dan continued with them and the young women laughed at his continual speechlessness.
.
Angel pushed the button on his watch and found that is was already three in the morning. Not being able to wait any longer, he got up from the sofa as quickly as he could. He didn't believe me then, he's not going to believe me now. I'm going out for myself. Angel took his cane, and raided his secret stash of stakes that he had kept for awhile. Knowing it was stupid, but not being able to stop, he got ready to head out and look to see what was making him feel like there was something wrong. When he was about to open the door, he heard someone knock at it.
"Who is it?" Angel called out.
"Dan and Lita, open up." Angel quickly opened the door, and he could hear them rush in. Listening quickly, he heard a third pair of footsteps.
"Who's with you?" he asked. Neither of them said anything for a few minutes, and he felt the air around his face move. Becoming annoying and feeling the urge to hurry and find the problem so that he could fix it, he grabbed the hands that were roaming around his face. "Who are you?" he asked the person whose hands he grabbed.
"Angel," came a quiet face. "It's you, you're really blind."
Angel felt confusion at this comment and tried to place the voice. Digging into his past, he could remember it. "I love you," it had once said to him. Angel leaned heavier on his cane. Even though he wanted it to be her, he didn't believe it. He reached out and found her face. "Buffy?" he asked.
"Angel," said the voice, breaking. She threw her arms around him and he hugged her right back.
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