Torn by Fate, Bound by Love: The Series
By Cass E.
DISCLAIMER: I hate these, but they are required…. Anything you have heard of before (i.e. characters, products and such) does not belong to me. I am merely trying to decrease the pain that I feel because of Angel’s leaving. Unfortunately, the characters that you do recognize belong Joss Whedon. Damn him…
MY NOTE: Thanks to everyone who helped me with this series!
Author’s Note: Bubble baths rule! I just wish I could get David to join me! <g>
Buffy opened the door to her bedroom and threw down her slaying bag with a heavy sigh. It had been a long night. She had beaten the mayor, graduated from high school, and said good bye to her one true love –and all in one night. She needed to relieve some of the tension she was feeling. Then, she remembered something she used to do when she was younger and sick. She would take a bubble bath.
Buffy entered the bathroom making sure she had everything she needed. Wash cloth, towel, candles, matches, and, of course, the bubbles. She also made sure she had her Sarah McLachlan CD in the stereo. She turned on the water, feeling it to make sure it wasn’t too hot. She put the plug in and poured the bubble bath into the steaming water. As bubbles began to form, she lit numerous candles that she had placed on the counter and turned off the lights. Then, she stripped down, and carefully lowered herself into the water. As she let the water and aroma of freesia calm her, she thoughtfully listened to the music and quietly sang along.
Angel didn’t know what he was doing. One minute, he was telling Buffy that he had to leave, and the next, he was climbing into her bedroom with the intentions of telling her that he was wrong. He knew that she was home because her slaying bag was by her door. He also heard the quiet melody of Sarah McLachlan coming from her bathroom. Perfect. Angel took off his shirt and followed the sounds to Buffy’s bathroom. Quietly, he opened the door and noticed the lit candles and the scent of freesia. He smiled when he saw her with her eyes closed. Good, she was relaxed. Then as he walked toward her, the CD switched tracks to a song that he remembered hearing coming from her room one night while he watched her sleep.
Piano chords
Spend all you time waiting for a second chance,
For a break that would make it okay.
There’s always some reason to feel not good enough,
And it’s hard at the end of the day.
I need some distraction, oh, beautiful release
As memory seeps from…
As the song played, Buffy remembered when this had become her theme song. In the arms of the Angel. She remembered him holding her, telling her that everything would be okay. She remembered his touching her. The memories were so real. Just like it was happening at that moment. Oh my god! It was real! Buffy jumped when she realized that someone was rubbing her shoulders. She turned around in full slayer mode only to see Angel’s embarrassed look.
"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that."
"No, please, don’t go. I can’t live without you. I know you said that you didn’t want my life to be with you, but I want my life to be with you."
"I couldn’t leave," Angel blurted out. "I just couldn’t. I don’t want to leave you. I can’t. I need to be with you." The last statement was almost a plea. It was like he was begging her forgiveness, needing it. "I should leave."
"No, I don’t want you to go. Please, stay with me."
"Okay."
****I think it would be more like Angel if he just nodded here.
"Maybe, you could wash my back for me? I can never reach it." Buffy said with a smile.
Angel knew he was playing with fire, but he had listened to everything but what he should. For once, he was going to listen to his heart. Angel lathered the ivory scented soap in his hands and rubbed them over Buffy’s back. She moaned as she let his hands glide gracefully over her shoulders, massaging them to get the tension out. Angel let his hands glide all over her body - her back, her chest, her stomach, her legs. When he was finished, he turned to where her towel lay on the rack and picked her up out of the tub. As he lifted her out of the tub and dried her off, she lay limply in his arms, totally relaxed. After he had finished drying her off, he lifted her up and carried her to her bedroom with her cuddled up to his chest.
Angel gently laid Buffy down on her bed. At her cries of protest to not let go, he laughed. She was shivering and he knew she needed to get dressed. He went over to her dresser and pulled out a pair of silk pajamas that he had given her for Christmas. He then helped her put them on, pulled back the covers and tucked her in.
"Goodnight, Buffy," he said as he walked over to the window.
"Angel? Please don’t go. Stay with me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I don’t want you to go. Stay with me tonight. We can cover the windows so you don’t have to leave."
"Okay." He covered the windows with the curtains as walked over to the bed, and laid down on the floor.
"Oh no you don’t. Up her mister," Buffy said with a giggle. "I want you in here, with me… and under the covers."
Angel lifted the covers and got into the bed. Instantly, Buffy curled up next to his chest. He wrapped her in his arms, and she dozed off, he whispered, "I love you, and I’ll never leave. I promise."
"Good. Me, too." He heard her say as she drifted off to sleep. He knew that tomorrow they would have a lot to talk about and to figure out, but for now he was content with her in her bed, sleeping side by side.
THE END