Are We Now or Ever Were Chapter 5
AN:We are finally moving ahead. Chapter 5 is a time lapse. If my time line seems off, its deliberate. If you read that there is a magic ward over Sunnydale and Liam doesn’t know how Buffy got there, then they both assume and so should we that it was meant to be. But not for the reasons we think. Let’s not forget that Buffy was portal hopping or running away for some reason unknown to us. I’d like to also remind you that she had told Liam that Angel had told her to grow up and that he didn’t want her help… so something is different. Is it Buffy or Liam? Well that’s up for debate because even I am not sure at this point; even though I have most chapters written out. My muse took me on a different path than I had expected. Thanks for reading thus far. I don’t have a title name for Chapter 5 yet but its next.
Chapter 5:
Not Betrayed, Just Ignored
Four months later
Liam couldn’t let Buffy take things too slow. He felt he was worse off some days and those days, he did all he could not to let Buffy see. He hadn’t told her yet what was wrong; he really didnt know if he even could tell her. He was a man, a weak one at that, always had been. He ignored alot of the pain but when it got bad, he would take the medicated drugs. Those days, he would take her down to the beach and let her be a girl among all the others. He would rest and draw mostly.
On the days that he felt well enough to forget the medication; Liam would take her to the fair, or a theme park.
Buffy wanted to sunbathe every morning that was filled with sunshine. When it rained, they stayed out doors until they were soaked and soggy. They would go for long walks uptown and downtown, stopping to get ice cream once a week. He would go to work and Buffy would go to the little dojo that offered a mixture of martial arts and work out those mornings. Liam would on occasion go to with her, the days he felt good.
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***
I know something is wrong with Liam. As I punch away on the mits he’s holding for me, I let out all my frustration and anxiety on those pads.
He remarks that I need to get back in slaying and apologizes that there isn’t anything here to slay.
I laugh at him and tell him that I love to be able to work out just for the simple pleasure of the act.
“I don’t want to slay. If I ever find a way ho…home, I’ll be back into Slayer mode in no time. No worries okay?”
As he puts the mits down, I pretend not to see him grimace. He says he feels really good today and my head tells me to ignore it at the same time my heart is screaming in fear that I should ask what it means.
I can’t do it though. I’m scared he will tell me that he is dying. I want to spend all our time together.
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“I was wondering if you wanted to read some more of my journals tonight? Or you can go out with some friends? I’ve got to do some private class for four students.”
“Can I go with you? I’ll stay quiet. Pretty please?”
Of course I don’t want Liam out of my sight but if he really needs me not to go then I won’t.
Well okay at least not with him.
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“That was amazing. You’re such a great teacher. I know I learned stuff about art that I never knew..”
He stopped me with a kiss. The kiss became more than the small kiss he had meant to give me -because my fear of losing him- made me kiss him harder.
Breathless, he asked me, “Everything alright?” I wanted to ask him the same thing.
Instead I nod and start gathering up his stuff so we can get home. “You know what? Since we are dressed up and Owen asked if we wanted to go to dinner, why don’t we? You can meet Owen’s lady friend..I don’t really remember her name but she’s nice in a motherly sort of way. You want to?”
I could tell he really wanted to and I wasn’t about to say no. We are dressed up. He has his hair spiked which didn’t surprise me at all and he is growing some facial hair. Did I mention I love it?
He’s wearing this white suit that looks absolutely tasteful on him. I imagine this is how Angel would dress everyday at the law firm. Well darker but you get it.
I found out Owen is a camera person. Everywhere he goes he takes Polaroids…. who knew those were still in.
He says they aren’t and I am too confused to ask. But I am thankful for someone like Owen.
Otherwise we probably wouldn’t have gotten all the pictures that we did get. Liam is a drawing person and I’m a fighter. I usually don’t think about picture taking ya know? Angel used to draw a lot.
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After that night, things get pretty intense. We shared the same bed, made love all the time, we were hardly ever apart and I was more scared then ever. Our time was running out and yet neither of us budged. He didn’t tell me what was wrong and I didn’t, couldn’t ask. As we laid in bed, he said “Buffy, I love you. I’ve never loved anyone else.”
“Always” I told him. I knew he understood me.
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****
We went out with a bunch of our friends. Buffy is a very social woman. She made friends quickly and easily.
I had medicated myself pretty heavily a few hours before we went out, I’ve been in excruciating pain the last few days.
To honest, I think tonight is the night. There has been a presence near by and I know it’s female and yet I can not remember her name. Buffy drank a little, she said something like she had a bad experience with alcohol one time and never wanted to repeat it. She thought I was getting drunk. In all reality, alcohol is not be mixed with the meds. I didn’t have to drink much to feel tipsy. She drove us home and I could tell she was a little agitated.
I did not want to leave her upset with me. “A chroi! Maith do mise. (Dear heart, forgive me.) Ta me chromh mor sin i ngra leat. (I love you so much) Sasaigh, Ionuin?(Please, Beloved?)
She forgave me and I in turn worshiped her body and treated her like the goddess I know she is.
After wards I left the house and lying in wait for me was the vampire with long dark hair and alabaster skin. I don’t know how she got in, but she won’t be leaving or harming Buffy, that I will make sure of.
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Two months later
Sword in hand, Buffy stood across from Angelus ready to end his taunting, mocking and killing when a portal opened up a few yards to her left.
“Looks like Home’s awaiting for you, kiddo!” Angelus practically giggled with glee.
“Gosh, I would have thought you knew better by now, Angelus. I’m not going anywhere til your dead.”
Buffy told him seriously.
“Ah, Lover, don’t be foolish. You know you never could kill me.” He jeered.
“No, But I can.” A voice to the left called out.
Buffy didn’t take her eyes off Angelus but she knew that Angel was coming towards.
“If it isn’t Soul Boy!” Angelus sneered. “You think you can take me, pansy? You couldn’t even take on Wolfram and Hart without help from me.” He mocked.
“Angel, how…what?”
“Give me your sword!”
She didn’t hesitate and neither did Angel.
In vampiric speed, he smoothly took Angelus’ head and they watched his ashes float to the grass.
Buffy gasped painfully and turn to him in gasping sobs.
“Angel?”
“Shh, Buffy. It’s okay Love, it’s okay.”
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Up next Chapter 6. Revelations…sorta
I only own the altered story. I don’t own anything but my birth right. My name.