From: LIPS000000 Subject: Fwd: BUFFYFIC: unsubscribe buffyfic-digest Date: 01 Apr 1998 13:35:57 EST This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --part0_891455757_boundary Content-ID: <0_891455757@inet_out.mail.aol.com.1> Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII --part0_891455757_boundary Content-ID: <0_891455757@inet_out.mail.aol.com.2> Content-type: message/rfc822 Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Content-disposition: inline Return-Path: Received: from relay29.mx.aol.com (relay29.mail.aol.com [172.31.109.29]) by air19.mail.aol.com (v40.16) with SMTP; Tue, 31 Mar 1998 23:47:09 -0500 Received: from lists.xmission.com (lists.xmission.com [198.60.22.7]) by relay29.mx.aol.com (8.8.5/8.8.5/AOL-4.0.0) with SMTP id XAA10546; Tue, 31 Mar 1998 23:46:54 -0500 (EST) Received: from domo by lists.xmission.com with local (Exim 1.82 #1) id 0yKFPf-0007Yv-00; Tue, 31 Mar 1998 21:46:11 -0700 Received: from (mail.xmission.com) [198.60.22.22] by lists.xmission.com with smtp (Exim 1.82 #1) id 0yKFPd-0007Yb-00; Tue, 31 Mar 1998 21:46:09 -0700 Received: from (imo21.mx.aol.com) [198.81.17.65] by mail.xmission.com with esmtp (Exim 1.82 #1) id 0yKFPZ-0003ZL-00; Tue, 31 Mar 1998 21:46:05 -0700 Received: from LIPS000000@aol.com by imo21.mx.aol.com (IMOv13.ems) id DLPPa05947 for ; Tue, 31 Mar 1998 23:45:00 -0500 (EST) Message-ID: <5c41718d.3521c64e@aol.com> X-Mailer: AOL 3.0 for Windows 95 sub 52 Sender: owner-buffyfic@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk Reply-To: buffyfic@xmission.com Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit unsubscribe buffyfic-digest -------------------- Return-path: Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit unsubscribe buffyfic-digest --part0_891455757_boundary-- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Anexsin Subject: BUFFYFIC: The Ties That Bind (9/10) Date: 01 Apr 1998 17:23:34 EST Title: The Ties That Bind (9/10) Author: Melinda Frango Email Addy: Anexsin@aol.com Rating: PG Spoiler: All episodes before Passion. Distribution: Ask first Feedback: Greatly appreciated. Disclaimer: Buffy and the gang belong to Joss Whedon, the WB, etc. Only the story is mine, and whatever characters never seen or mentioned on the show. Summary: Buffy and the gang get help from an unexpected source in restoring Angel's soul. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Caitlin remained silent for another long moment before speaking. Angel simply watched her, knowing full well what this conversation was going to be about. 'I know what you are going to say," he offered breaking the silence. "Oh, you do?" Caitlin asked slightly amused. "Yeah, you're going to tell me not to feel guilty, that it wasn't my fault, that it wasn't me." "Well, sort of. What I was really going to say was that she needs you," Cailtin informed him. "Who? Buffy?" he asked already knowing the answer. Caitlin nodded her head and continued. "She loves you," she said simply. "She deserves better, and I doubt she still loves me after everything I did to her," Angel explained sadly. "Angelus did those things, but she loves Angel. She doesn't want anyone else but you," Caitlin paused to take a deep breath. "She's that girl you always dreamed about meeting. Someone independent, strong, loving, don't give up on her so easily." Now Angel was staring at the ceiling. "I just need some time to deal with everything that has happened, and I don't know how long that will take." "You should've seen her face when I told her I was here to return your soul," Caitlin smiled slightly. "I've never seen a smile as big as hers. She wants to help you through this. To be there for you like you've been there for her," she explained. When Angel didn't respond or even glance at her, she spoke more firmly. "Look! I happen to know for a fact that none of them hate you. It's just hard for them to accept that a friend of theirs that was so nice and caring one day could turn into a evil, demonic creature the next. You and the demon are two different beings sharing the same body, you are not the same person!" "Fine believe what you want, but I'm the one feeling the pain and the guilt of his actions. He lurks right beneath my skin, and he's always there, reminding of what I am," Angel almost shouted. "Like I said before your soul is permanently housed in your body. It can't leave again, but the demon can. That's what I've been doing since that day you....well you know. I've been searching for a cure for vampirism, and I promise you that if it takes me 1000 years I'll find it, and you know I always keep my promises," Caitlin choked out. "Why do you want to waste your life looking for something that doesn't exist. If no one's found it by now, no one ever will," Angel said quietly. "I'm going to find it," she implied sternly. Angel's eyes glazed over and he drew her into hug. "I missed you so much," he whispered into her hair. "I missed you to. Oh, Xander says to tell you, that he doesn't hate you despite the window incident." Caitlin repeated. Angel looked at her skeptically for a moment, until realization dawned on him. Angel smiled and started laughing. "Xander doesn't hate me? That has got to be a first. I thought he'd be happy because he actually does have a reason to hate me now." "Now tell me something, if Xander does't hate you do you really think the rest of them do?" Caitlin asked. "I don't know. Like I said I need to deal with this in my own way. I don't want to put any of them in danger ever again, especially Buffy." "Think of it this way, Angelus is the evil twin, and Angel is the good twin. Blame the guilt on him, it was his fault after all," Caitlin smirked. "You never did cease to amaze me," Angel smiled. "Even when things are so horrible that laughter seems miles away, you can always make me laugh." "Stop, or you'll make me cry." Caitlin pretended to sob. "Now you have some explaining to do, sister dear. How did you come to be here, as in not dead." "Oh, boy. It's a good thing we have forever to live because this may just take that long." "Well like you said I have forever, let's hear it," Angel persisted while taking a comfortable seat on his couch, glad to have persuaded his sister from continuing their recent conversation. "But I do have something to do when your done," he added with a cryptic smile. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Buffy was sitting on her bed silently staring at her open math book, until the ringing of the telephone broke her out of her daze. "Hello," she greeted. "Hey, it's Willow. I just wanted to see how you were doing," Willow stated concerned. "I'm doing alright, I guess." "Has he showed up or called?" she asked. "No, I think he's avoiding me. You don't know how bad I want to go see him," Buffy answered. "I think I do," Willow smiled to herself. "I'm just glad he's back, and Angelus won't be back to terrorize us anytime soon," Buffy breathed a sigh of relief. "Believe me so am I." Willow hurriedly added. "Why don't you get some sleep, you sound like you could use it, and don't worry everything will turn out fine. It's just a feeling I have." "Thanks Will, you're a great friend. Goodnight," Buffy supressed a yawn. "Goodnight, Buffy. Sleep tight," Willow responded before placing the telephone back on its cradle. Buffy hung up the phone, and slipped into a pair pajamas. Before laying down in bed she opened her window and glanced out feeling as if someone was watching her. She smiled slightly and shook her head. "No, I'm daydreaming again," she whispered to herself. The past few weeks were finally taking their toll on her, exhaustion overcame her and she was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Little did she know of the lone figure hiding in the shadows watching her bedroom window, waiting for the lights to go out. As soon as it did the figure climbed onto the roof and seated himself outside of her window. The figure stood vigil over her as she slept, and took comfort in the fact that she was alive and safe. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* End of part 9.......to be continued. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Clare H." Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: Date: 01 Apr 1998 18:35:50 EST I can also relate. I'm on three (it used to be four) lists, I get a newsletter once a week, and I used to get three jokes a day, not to mention my e-mail crazy friends...(but of course I *love* all the attention!) Clare teddybartcbh@hotmail.com ----Original Message Follows---- Reply-To: buffyfic@xmission.com In a message dated 98-03-29 23:59:15 EST, you write: << Ingrid, I'd LOVE the challenge...but unfortunetly I'm already in the middle of Three Lists, 9 Fanfics plus stuff on the side...do you have any idea how much e-mail a day you get from 3 Lists? It's HELL, Hehehe. >> You know how much mail you get from 3 lists? Try 4 lists! Plus I'm on the FK War loop and 8 newsgroups. The amount of messages I read each night is incredible. Why do I read so many. Cause it's fun!!!!! Nastassia - ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Bernie Baguley" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Date: Thu, 2 Apr 1998 10:20:53 +1000 Date: 01 Apr 1998 17:23:37 -0700 unsubscribe - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: tabbylink@patrol.i-way.co.uk Subject: RE: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: FORMATTING GUIDELINES Date: 02 Apr 1998 01:41:43 --- On Tue, 31 Mar 1998 20:40:11 PST "Leslie S." wrote: >I am sure that I as well as most of the list subscribers ignores the >re-issuance of the list rules on its regular basis. But I wanted to >point out that #7 is really important!!! Yep, this is the one that'll mean I'll need heaps of help when it comes to posting my story. I'm gonna be begging more intelligent people to count lines for me! I'm real stupid when it comes to numbers. >It is very hard to read a story with irregular line breaks, so much so >that often times I will not finish a story. > >PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take a moment to check your format when sending >stories to the list. I am *so* relieved I'm not the only one with this problem. :) But even more than that I'm incredibly relieved that I haven't been suspended for forgetting to put DISCUSS in my headers . I promise I'll try to be a model citizen in future. :) Betzi - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: GothGirl77 Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: That Was The Day 2/2 Date: 01 Apr 1998 20:09:31 EST That was so funny! Xander in a bunny suit! Oh man, they have to do an April Fool's episode of Buffy. It would be hilarious! This would be perfect for it. Xander in a bunny suit, man, my face hurts from laughing. Nastassia - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Andrea Newbery" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Enough, (1/3) by Andrea Date: 01 Apr 1998 18:43:33 PST Title:Enough Author: Andrea Newbery e-mail: anewbery@hotmail.com Distribution: sure, as long as I know where. Rating: PG-13 Spoilers: everything up to KbD Summary: Definitly a Buffy/Angel story. A resolution to the events of Innocence though not exactly how I wanted it to go. Disclaimer: The characters of Angel, Buffy et al. are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, the WB and whoever else… No copyright infringement intended. Please don’t sue me I’m already up to my neck in debt! Feedback: Please...good, bad, whatever! Kill him Buffy please. It ran through his head continually, a mantra of pain. He remembered it so clearly, the demon breaking through, his soul coming loose from his body. He knew in those few seconds how much of a mistake it had been to get close to her. The demon would hate her for that, for the love he felt for her. He expected to disappear then… to float without thought like he had the first time. Oh God, the first time, before he’d been summoned back and known in an instant the horror the demon had committed in his name. The crimes he was responsible for, crimes the demon had enjoyed committing. This time he hadn’t gone very far, still floated without form, had to watch the pain the demon inflicted on her. The words he said to her, the torture the demon put her and her friends through. These people, good people, who were now paying for his sins. Every harsh word she said about him, to him, gave him hope, but then… nothing. His body still walked, still tortured…still killed. The demon had killed Jenny. This pain was too new, too fresh, he didn't know how to deal with it. The only thing he understood was that she had to kill his body. He had thought that the first moments after the gypsy curse had been painful. They were nothing compared to this; this was his Buffy the demon was torturing. He did this… knew it, accepted that the blame was his, but he hadn’t known the cost of this love would be so high for her. It wasn’t right; he should be the only one to suffer. The love was fading from her eyes, but not quickly enough. Angelus… he… would destroy her before that happened. Now that the demon had killed Jenny, the deaths would only come quicker, giving her less time to recover, to overcome the guilt. If only he could help her, show her that it wasn’t him, that the body held no relation to the man she had loved. It had to be soon, the demon was working much quicker than he had thought he would. He should have done this sooner but he had held on to the hope she would find a way to get back, to re-curse him. That had died with Jenny. She had to kill the demon… soon. He thought about trying to appear in her dreams but she was already using him to explain things for herself. He needed to summon every last ounce of his strength, his will and most of all his love for her, to get his message through. A message through the watcher, the person she trusted most, given during the day, by the window. He knew it would be hard for Giles to see his face but he had no choice. A voice without form was to easily explained away. “Giles...” He formed a vision of himself, a hologram with no real substance. He hoped it would be enough. “Angel... it’s daytime... how?” He had to come in the day. To make sure they would now it was him and that he was separate; so Giles could believe it was he and not the demon who had killed his love. “She has to understand Giles, I’m not in that body, I’m already gone. He has to die, please Giles, he has to die.” His words came out in a rush tripping over each other in his hurry to make him understand before time ran out. He had to make him understand, so he could help her, so she could know it was okay. He wanted her to kill his body, needed her to kill it. The watcher had to convince her. It had to be enough. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Andrea Newbery" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Enough (2/3) by Andrea Date: 01 Apr 1998 18:45:25 PST Title:Enough Author: Andrea Newbery e-mail: anewbery@hotmail.com Distribution: sure, as long as I know where. Rating: PG-13 Spoilers: everything up to KbD Summary: Definitly a Buffy/Angel story. A resolution to the events of Innocence though not exactly how I wanted it to go. Disclaimer: The characters of Angel, Buffy et al. are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, the WB and whoever else… No copyright infringement intended. Please don’t sue me I’m already up to my neck in debt! Feedback: Please...good, bad, whatever! He felt her first, the love, then the fear. “Get away from him” So cold, to feel hate from her. “Buffy, it’s…it’s our Angel, it’s daytime, it’s his soul.” She collapsed then… oh God what had he done? He only wanted to help and he couldn’t even touch her, he was just a vision, an apparition. He had no body to pull hers off the floor with. She was here now and maybe that was for the best. Since she had seen him, maybe he could convince her it had to be done, she had to let him go. Oh God, he would never touch her again, hold her again, the pain rocketed through his whole being as the enormity of what they had lost took hold. He missed her so much but there was no way back, to undo what had been done. He had to make her see, help her to forgive herself. She had to understand that all blame was his alone. “Angel” her voice…. “I’m here, I’m free now Buffy. I’m sorry, I didn’t want to leave you, I never want to leave you but he has to die. I have to die, please; he’ll only get worse. He wants to destroy you, kill everyone you know. Now that he’s started he’ll kill quicker, be more evil, please, kill him” “But…” “No, Buffy, there is no buts, no escape clause for us, remember how much I love you, how happy we were, that night. One hundred years of torture were worth it, for me, in that moment. Don’t blame yourself, it’s my fault; it always was. I had no right to be loved and I let you do it anyway and I’m sorry.” Was he getting through to her, he was weakening, only his love, his determination that she would not pay anymore for his sins held him there, visible. “ Let me carry the burden Buffy, you kill him. It’s not me, I’m gone and there is no way back… I couldn’t go back.” “But… Angel, I love you, if we could re-curse you, restore your soul, we could ….” “NO! Buffy, you’ve seen the demon, he has to be stopped. There is no time for anything else, he’s already killed Jenny, he’ll go after the rest of them soon, please….” “Angel…” She was weakening now, seeing the truth, coming to know as he had that hope for them was gone now, they would not be together again. His thoughts screamed at him, how could he have done this to her, what right did he have to love, but later, he would hate himself later. For now, he had to finish it, convince her, however he could. “Buffy, please I see everything he does, I feel what he feels, he is pure evil, but I’m tethered to him until my body is gone. I have to watch what he does, who he kills, what he says to you. It hurts me as much as it hurts you, I…” “O.K.” Thank you God, Thank you. “I will love you forever” He was fading now, his sense of relief so strong. “I’ll never forget you Angel, never forget how much I love you, I’ll always belong to you” “Buffy, you gave me love, acceptance and trust when I deserve nothing, you gave me hope in an existence of doom and now you are giving me freedom, I am yours.” “Angel, don’t go yet…” He was invisible to her now, and he waited to see if she could do it, if she understood… if he had killed her last ray of hope. He watched her, realizing it was the first time he had seen her in the sunlight, his soul ached for her, for the completeness she gave him. He knew and accepted that some crimes can never be forgiven. When his body died he would be dragged into hell along with the demon that inhabited his body. It would be enough for the moments of love, to see the love in her eyes, the faith in him, vampire, killer of his family. He deserved his fate, wanted it, to free her from the demon's torture and the fate that awaited her if his body lived. Whatever torture could be devised for him could never be worse than her suffering. She had loved him, saw the good in him, gave herself to him; the wonder of it still awed him. She would not pay anymore for the love she had given him. She smiled then and looked to where he had appeared. “I’ll do it” she whispered “I’ll free you from him because I love you to much to try to bring you back to pay for his crimes, to feel guilt for him.” Even now her only thoughts were of his pain, could he have been given a greater gift? “And when it’s over, my tour of duty as the slayer, when it ends as we all know it will, in the way we all know it will, you’d better be there waiting for me. I got gypped in this life but I’m going to get eternity with you. I still believe we are meant to be together” Oh Buffy, I wish…but I have to pay for my crimes. “I know you’re probably thinking that you’ll be going to hell, but why? You are you and the demon is the demon, you’re not him and you’ve suffered more than enough for a choice you made as a young man. I believe that we will be together again and that will get me through” With that she collapsed into the chair. He watched Giles comfort her and prayed to a God he had betrayed to keep her safe. She was quiet until just before dusk and then she got up grim-faced and turned to Giles, “Tonight Giles, I have to free him tonight, while I’m still strong enough to let him go.” Please God, give her the strength to kill him. Let this afternoon be enough to convince her that I can never go back, we can never go back. He felt the tugging start then like he was a kite being pulled in. The demon was waking. He couldn’t get very far from him when he was awake, was forced to watch his body kill, torture, another punishment for the choice he had made as a young man. Sometimes it felt so unfair, he hadn’t known what the consequences would be, this torture would never end for him. For Buffy, though, it could end tonight, she could stop paying for his crimes along side him. He waited in the factory hoping she would do it tonight. Angelus was alone with Spike and Spike was in no condition to help him. The demon would never expect her to go on the offensive, to seek him out, to come to his lair. He thought she was still held back by the memory of her Angel. “Angel” She stood in the doorway, a vision in white, sending him off with style. He watched as she fought him, completely focused on finishing it, on killing him. The demon had been caught off guard; he’d had no intention of killing her anytime soon. She fought well, clean, quick, no emotion. This was the last thing she could do for her love. He knew it as the demon felt the first stirring of fear, as his taunts of her had no effect. He smiled, so proud of her courage and sacrifice. She pushed the stake in finally, with little fanfare and watched as the body of the man she loved turn to dust. She was free... his punishment was no longer hers. The string was broken and for the first time in over 200 years his soul was completely free. With all his strength he reached out and touched her face, “I love you." She cried then, he watched as she released every hidden hope she had for a reprieve from fate or God or whoever. He waited as she calmed down and stood up, "I’ll see you again Angel, remember I love you”. She walked out of the factory, a vision in white, his angel, the only one he would ever see. He waited, for the demons to come and carry him off to hell, happy that his body, his voice wouldn’t torture her anymore. He followed her to her home, into her bedroom, still waiting to be taken away. He watched as she put the cross he gave her on, then the ring. She smiled, a sad smile for a lost love, but no longer full of guilt and pain. She spoke to him then; “We had something special Angel, something worth having. It will go on, someday, somewhere, we will be together again. I know this with all my soul. I may love again in this world, but my soul belongs to yours for all eternity”. He cried then his whole soul aching for what they had and what it had cost them, cost her. He cried for the love that burned so steadily in her eyes, the same love that seared itself onto his very being. He barely noticed as the room filled with a wonderful light. He slowly became aware of a presence, another spirit, full of goodness and hope. He watched as it approached him, taking the form of a man as it did. A vision of a perfectly good man, with such kindness shining through he could barely look. This vision was talking to him, without words, telling him it was okay. Telling him the guilt wasn’t his, it never had been, he had made a wrong choice as a young man but he didn’t have to pay for eternity. None of the cruel acts committed by the demon were his. Oh, if only it were true, and this vision was saying it was and that he had to go with him, it would all be okay now. He had to leave Buffy. He turned and saw her watching him, them, in awe. She smiled and sent him off freely with a love so pure it rolled into his soul like waves traveling through him, never leaving. He reached out to her and gained enough form to hold her close, smooth back her hair and kiss her good-bye. It was enough. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Andrea Newbery" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Enough, (3/3) by Andrea Date: 01 Apr 1998 18:47:35 PST Title:Enough Author: Andrea Newbery e-mail: anewbery@hotmail.com Distribution: sure, as long as I know where. Rating: PG-13 Spoilers: everything up to KbD Summary: Definitly a Buffy/Angel story. A resolution to the events of Innocence though not exactly how I wanted it to go. Disclaimer: The characters of Angel, Buffy et al. are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, the WB and whoever else… No copyright infringement intended. Please don’t sue me I’m already up to my neck in debt! Feedback: Please...good, bad, whatever! She walked through the graveyard, sure-footed, secure in her abilities. In the five years since Angel she had become more committed to her destiny. Seeing it not only as ridding the world of evil but also of rescuing the souls of the bodies the demons had stolen. Freeing them as she knew Angel was free. She felt his presence close to her tonight, she always did when she was in real danger. He still tried to protect her, still gave his strength to her, so she could live, continue to fulfill her destiny. She talked to him often, telling him of her life. There was so much he had missed, Xander and Cordelia's wedding, Oz and Willow's new Computer Company. She told him of Giles and his new love, and how happy they were. She told him of her parents rediscovering one another. There was so much happiness in her life, so much love. She didn’t regret, couldn’t regret, loving him, even now, when she was alone, his presence still too large in her life to have room for anyone else. She was happy with her life, her friends, even her duty, but her soul wouldn’t be complete until she was with him again. It was her birthday tonight, twenty-two, the same age as Angel was when he died, was made a vampire. Five years since they joined together as one, it was all fitting somehow. It was over for her tonight, this life. She had accomplished a lot in the five years since she had lost him. Spike and Drusilla were long dead along with the majority of the vampires who had called Sunnydale home. She had killed countless other demons and even had two years of college under her belt. She hadn’t been afraid when Giles had read the prophecy that foretold her death on her twenty-second birthday. Since seeing Angel go into the light, for lack of a better description, she had known everything would be okay. If she died tonight Angel would be waiting for her, if she lived he would still wait. They had eternity to be together, she didn’t have to rush. She prepared though, told everyone what she needed to, finished writing up her version of the slayer diaries. She prayed for the strength to do her duty and then she proudly went to face her death. It came in the form of a group of the Master’s minions who had been planning this revenge for six years. She fought well, killed them all but the damage to her body was more than it could recover from. Giles, Willow and Xander all gathered around and said their final good-byes. Her Angel came then, a vision of himself surrounded by light and her soul lifted to stand beside him, ”Don’t be sad, please, I’m finally complete again. Rejoice in my life, our accomplishments, and the evil we erased from this earth. Remember our friendship and how much we love each other. I’m with Angel now, enjoy your lives, your loves as much as I enjoy the love I have." She turned to him then, reached out her hand and he folded her into him. Such love from him, it filled every inch of who she was, as her love had filled him. He smiled at her, a full smile with no guilt, no regrets, just joy and love. They all heard them laughing as their light faded away and disappeared. It floated lightly on the air surrounding them and they sat together and listened. It was enough. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: Answer this challenge, everybody! Date: 01 Apr 1998 20:49:11 -0500 To whom it may concern- Since Aurelia is busy with her many in-progress Buffyfics, I would like to present my challenge to anyone who feels up to it. Here goes... CHALLENGE: How 'bout some Angel/Willow fic? Sure, I know it's weird, but so was Spike/Willow. If a good writer gets hold of this, the impossible becomes a really cool story. I call it experimentation. -Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return to Normalcy," "One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a Chance," "Tragic Sighs" and "Footsteps." Oh! BTW, I've been working on my "ten years into the future" story, in case anyone was wondering. I'm working on the fourth part right now, but I want to get well into it before I start sending it to the list. Can you say 'pressure?' =) _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: Answer this challenge, everybody! Date: 01 Apr 1998 22:58:36 -0800 On Wed, 1 Apr 1998 20:49:11 -0500 ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) writes: >To whom it may concern- >Since Aurelia is busy with her many in-progress Buffyfics, I would >like to present my challenge to anyone who feels up to it. Here >goes... > >CHALLENGE: How 'bout some Angel/Willow fic? Sure, I know it's weird, >but so was Spike/Willow. If a good writer gets hold of this, the >impossible becomes a really cool story. I call it experimentation. >-Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return >to Normalcy," >"One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a >Chance," "Tragic >Sighs" and "Footsteps." > >Oh! BTW, I've been working on my "ten years into the future" story, in >case anyone was wondering. I'm working on the fourth part right now, >but I want to get well into it before I start sending it to the list. >Can you say 'pressure?' =) I'll take the challenge, but whether it will be good fanfic or totally reek to no end is debatable. I'm brainstorming as I type. Taygeta 8~) (Taygeta@juno.com) Writer of "The Chronicles of the White Knight" Writer of "Capeside: the Hellmouth" Writer of "Beyond the Creek" "Xander's lips met hers, softly and gently, and all Buffy could think about was that this was wow and a whole lot more." - from "Chronicles of the White Knight #5 In the Hands of Astarte _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: BUFFYFIC: Re: Discussion: Challenge Date: 02 Apr 1998 06:47:08 -0800 On Wed, 1 Apr 1998 20:49:11 -0500 ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) writes: > >CHALLENGE: How 'bout some Angel/Willow fic? I'll take the challenge, but whether it will be good fanfic or totally reek to no end is debatable. I'm brainstorming as I type. Taygeta 8~) (Taygeta@juno.com) Writer of "The Chronicles of the White Knight" Writer of "Capeside: the Hellmouth" Writer of "Beyond the Creek" "Xander's lips met hers, softly and gently, and all Buffy could think about was that this was wow and a whole lot more." - from "Chronicles of the White Knight #5 In the Hands of Astarte _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC: BUFFYFIC Date: 02 Apr 1998 18:06:37 EST I Dreamed A Dream (1/1) by Jaclyn Amy TITLE: I Dreamed A Dream AUTHOR: Jaclyn Amy DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights or characters to Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Les Miserables. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is owned by Joss Wheden, 20th Century Fox, Sandollar Productions, etc. "I Dreamed a Dream" is owned by Alain Boublil, Claude-Michael Schonberg, etc. No infringement intended. DISTRIBUTION: Ask me first. RATING: PG SPOILERS: None. SUMMARY: Angel’s soul has been taken from him, and he is now Angelus. He has killed Ms. Calendar and caused Buffy a great deal of pain. Buffy is upset and distressed at his torture. FEEDBACK: Please!!! This is my first fanfic, so be nice. Well, here it goes….. There was a time when men were kind When their voices were soft And their words inviting There was a time when love was blind And the world was a song And the song was exciting There was a time Then it all went wrong It has been three years, and I still sometimes wakeup and think Angel is here. I can still feel his arms around me, and when I close my eyes, I can still see his face. I play his voice in my head over and over until tears fill my eyes. It should’ve gotten easier over time. The pain should’ve left. As the Slayer, I should not still be mourning. But I can’t help but think of when he and I were a couple, madly in love. When everything was wonderful. When I counted the minutes until I saw him. But that is gone. I dreamed a dream in times gone by When hope was high And life worth living I dreamed that love would never die I dreamed that God would be forgiving Then I was young and unafraid And dreams were made and used and wasted There was no ransom to be paid No song unsung No wine untasted I remember when I thought that nothing could separate us. I was so young and blind. I never imagined what kind of pain that life could put you through. I thought my duty was such a terrible fate. I thought love would last forever; we would be together forever. I dreamed that I would spend every night in his bed. I dreamed that he would always be there to help me solve a problem or kiss my tears away. I was so oblivious of life’s cruelties. I took for granted the fact that I could see him every day. Life was perfect. But the tigers come at night With their voices soft as thunder As they tear your hope apart And they turn your dream to shame He slept a summer by my side He filled my days with endless wonder He took my childhood in his stride But he was gone when autumn came But it couldn’t last. No, life had to take him away. Life took my dreams away. I couldn’t live a life of happines. I remember my seventeen birthday night so vividly. We had run through the rain to his appartment after facing the Judge. The pain of a cut I had was emence. "Take off you shirt," he had ordered. I followed his command. "It’s already closed up." We kissed the most passionate kiss. "Buffy, maybe we shouldn’t-" "Just kiss me." He did just that…and more. It was the best experience of my life, and by far the most memorable. His sweet kisses, his gentle hands, the words "I love you." I do not regret making love to him; only the unknown consequences that had come with it. I had lay in his arms all night, but when I awoke, he was gone. Little did I know, it would be forever. And still I dream he'll come to me That we will live the years together But there are dreams that cannot be And there are storms we cannot weather I had a dream my life would be So different from this hell I'm living So different now from what it seemed Now life has killed The dream I dreamed My first instinct when there is a problem still is to run to him. I hope that one day, he will come back and we will finish our lives together. But that can’t and won’t ever happen. I know that Angel is gone, and there isn’t anything I can do to bring him back. I can still hope, though. I think hope is the only thing that keeps me alive. Hope and love. Though my life is so different from the way I desired, I can’t let it affect my future. Life is bitch; I’ve learned to accept it. But I’ll never accept that he is gone. I love him, but I’m on my own. Life has killed the dream I dream. I Dreamed A Dream There was a time when men were kind When their voices were soft And their words inviting There was a time when love was blind And the world was a song And the song was exciting There was a time Then it all went wrong I dreamed a dream in times gone by When hope was high And life worth living I dreamed that love would never die I dreamed that God would be forgiving Then I was young and unafraid And dreams were made and used and wasted There was no ransom to be paid No song unsung No wine untasted But the tigers come at night With their voices soft as thunder As they tear your hope apart And they turn your dream to shame He slept a summer by my side He filled my days with endless wonder He took my childhood in his stride But he was gone when autumn came And still I dream he'll come to me That we will live the years together But there are dreams that cannot be And there are storms we cannot weather I had a dream my life would be So different from this hell I'm living So different now from what it seemed Now life has killed The dream I dreamed The End - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: G90210 Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: BUFFYFIC Date: 02 Apr 1998 18:14:43 EST this was really good, it had me on the verge of tears. i think, you should do a follow up to that, where you have Angel come back(can never get enough of thoughs) because you seem very good with telling how she was feeling. ~mInDy - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC: Thanks Date: 02 Apr 1998 18:27:23 EST Thanks, mInDy. I don't think I'm going to do a follow up on that one, but I'm starting a new one called Star-Crossed Lovers that will definately show Buffy's feelings. But reader beware, it's going to be pretty sad. -Jaclyn - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: GothGirl77 Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: I Dreamed A Dream (1/1) Date: 02 Apr 1998 20:22:13 EST This was great! I love stories that use song lyrics, and yours was very well written. From one fanfic newbie to another, keep it up! It's fun and all the feedback is a total ego boost! Nastassia - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: GothGirl77 Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: Until The Morning Light--Thanks everyone! Date: 02 Apr 1998 20:34:23 EST I just wanted to publically thank everyone for the wonderful feedback you gave me on a story. You guys really know how to make someone who is very new to fanfic writing and to the fic loop itself feel welcome. Some people on lists are, well, to quote Xander, bitcas. All the good story reviews were a total ego boost. And so the powers that be on this list don't get mad at me, here's something about future fanfic. I'm starting one of the longer stories I've ever written, and the 2nd Buffyfic story I've written. It's called Lily (at least for now), but I refuse to post it until I'm at least half done. Can't wait until study hall tomorrow. I'll have 90 minutes to work! Thanks again all you nice peope! Nastassia This list gives me a happy! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: BUFFYFIC Date: 02 Apr 1998 18:08:04 -0800 Jacklyn, I loved your story, it was so sad even though I'm not a major Angel/Buffy fan my heart so went out! And what a perfect song! It has to be my second favorite in Les Miserables ( the first one being Fantine's Death), and ironically enough I was just thinking about that song a few weeks ago. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I think your incorporation of the song with the whole Buffy scenario was really cool and really worked well. Taygeta 8~) (Taygeta@juno.com) Writer of "The Chronicles of the White Knight" Writer of "Capeside: the Hellmouth" Writer of "Beyond the Creek" "Xander's lips met hers, softly and gently, and all Buffy could think about was that this was wow and a whole lot more." - from "Chronicles of the White Knight #5 In the Hands of Astarte _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: BUFFYFIC: Chronicles of the White Knight (3/?) Date: 02 Apr 1998 19:54:12 -0800 Name: Chronicles of the White Knight #3 Understanding Willow Author: Taygeta Address: taygeta@juno.com Feedback: Please send Using in anything: Ask me first. Spoiler: Not really, just a few references to the show and past episodes. My own little ideas, but not really anything I think we'll happen as such. If it does occur, I had nothing to do with it. Disclaimer: The characters portrayed in this story and any other references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the property of its creater Joss Whedon, and its owners Mutant Enemy productions, Kuzui Productions, Sandollar Productions, and 20th Century Fox. In other words, these characters do not belong to me, and I am just borrowing them. Description: The Chronicles is not really a multi-part story, but is a series of stories, some of which piece together and some of which don't. #3 involves Xander's thoughts on his relationship with Willow Warnings: Not really, unless you don't like Xander and don't really want to read about Xander and Willow. So basically the rating is: PG. ********************** Chronicles of the White Knight #3 Understanding Willow By: Taygeta Buffy took a sip of soda from a can of diet coke as she sat at a table near the window that overlooked the promenade. She glanced across the promenade and spotted what Willow called Oz's cool hair. The shade of orange-red could be seen for quite a distance, and Buffy smiled and thought silently that it was cute how Willow and he were always hold hands. She glanced over at Xander, who was sitting at the same table, and found that he was looking at the very same couple. Her scrutinizing eyes peered at Xander's expression, and she silent counted to herself, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... "Doesn't that just make you sick?" responded Xander waving his hand at the couple in a disgusted gesture. "Come on, Xander, they've been together for weeks!" said Buffy with a sigh, "It's not like your opinion counts in their relationship, so get over it!" "How can I if they keep rubbing their relationship in my face. I mean, every time I see them together it's all this touchy-feely stuff!" insisted Xander and Buffy rolled her eyes and put her soda can down, making a soft sound as the aluminum hit the table. "Right, Xander," said Buffy with an air of sarcasm, "And how do you justify you and Cordy's touch-feely stuff? Which I might add, is about ten time worse than what Oz and Willow do." "Hey, I resent that comment, Buffy because Cordy and I - " Xander paused a moment to contemplate, and feeling that Buffy's eyes were still on him, he chuckled nervously and glanced at her, "Never mind." "Yeah...that's what I thought," said Buffy with a smile, despite the fact that her acceptance of Cordelia had yet to begin. Xander didn't reply to Buffy's comment as he continued to stare at Oz and Willow. Xander contemplated that Willow looked happy, but he didn't believe she was because she was with Oz. What was Xander's opinion of Oz? Oz was just an orange-headed villain out to hurt his best friend. Once he reached to the thought of Willow being his best friend, he paused, unsure if that was what Willow was, nowadays. They were friends, Xander knew that for sure, but if they were BEST friends, was a whole other matter in its entirety. Things had been distant between them for quite awhile, Xander realized. Even before Cordelia and Oz had even entered the picture as romantic counterparts, their relationship had been readily changed. Did Buffy have anything to do with it, thought Xander for a moment and then he sighed realizing that she had, but not profoundly. Whatever had cause them to separate happened, and everything, well, it just made it worst than it had been before. He wanted very much to understand Willow. He would give anything to understand her, and try to make things back to the way it had been Yet, he knew that that way was gone and to return to it was impossible. He couldn't believe how much Willow had changed to become a Willow that he couldn't even understand. Still, had he ever understood her to begin with? It still shocked him to think that Willow had been in love with him, and he didn't think he'd ever get use to the idea, and now with Oz, he wouldn't have to. Oz, thought Xander, what a crazy guy, what does she see in him? Truthfully, he didn't really know what he had against Oz. The weird part was that if Oz was just one of the gang and had no romantic connection to Willow at all, he knew he would be friends with him. But the point was he wasn't just one of the gang, he was Willow's...boyfriend. Sure, Oz being a werewolf didn't make Xander like him any more, but for some odd reason, it didn't make Xander like him, any less. It just gave him more to complain about, more that made some reasonable sense anyway. He supposed a lot of his resentment came form his thoughts that Oz made his friendship with Willow even more strained, even though deep down, he knew that that wasn't true. Oz was only a factor because he was making him a factor, and although Willow was chummy with Cordelia, now, Xander knew that Willow was making her a factor, too. It was as if they were divided sides trying not to be separated, but their efforts just made them even more so. He thought again about Willow's face and finally realized that she was happy...with Oz. It didn't matter whether he liked it or not, it wasn't his choice to make, as Buffy had told him once. He stepped away from his heart because Buffy was in love with Angel, but Oz and Willow were different, he wouldn't have to step away. All he had to do was be happy because Willow was, and maybe in doing that, he could finally start treating Willow for what she had always been, and what he had always taken for granted, a true friend. Then, maybe, just maybe, he could start understanding Willow. **************** End of #3 _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: BUFFYFIC: Forbidden Love (1/2) Date: 02 Apr 1998 22:51:14 -0800 I finished it, a Willow/Angel and I am satisfied. It's a little bit more further than I've ever written before, and although it doesn't truly come right out and say it, it is very implying. Please reply if you decide to read it. Title: Forbidden Love Part One By: Taygeta Address: taygeta@juno.com Feedback: Please send Spoiler: Not really, a little bit from one episode a long time ago, but barely mentions that. Disclaimer: The characters portrayed in this story and any other references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the property of its creater Joss Whedon, and its owners Mutant Enemy productions, Kuzui Productions, Sandollar Productions, and 20th Century Fox. In other words, these characters do not belong to me, and I am just borrowing them. Description: Willow and Angel, secret lovers, 'nuff said. Warning: Kisses...yeah, and implying a whole lot more, but no graphic details (not my style!) ********************** Forbidden Love (1/2) By: Taygeta Part One When I first met Angel, I noticed right away that he was incredibly handsome and I saw why my best friend, Buffy, was attracted to him. With his sharp features and seeking dark eyes and tall form, who wouldn't have wanted to fall under such a spell? I didn't, but it was out of my control to stop the inevitable from happening. It caused me to keep my screaming thoughts and feelings within me and never let them speak aloud for fear of hurting my best friend and for fear of hurting my heart. It was true, I was going through my Xander phase at that time, but even then, I knew it was a phase. Angel, on the other hand, could never be a phase. He was the first that I really, truly ever loved and he was the first in more ways than one. It was instant attraction when we first met, like magnetism that made our souls join and mingle. We both denied our hearts that pounded faster than tempest-tossed rains and within all of this denial, a pain was felt within my soul that was too hurtful to describe. In time, Angel had become Buffy's, but every time our eyes met, I could almost hear his heart beating in time with my mine. It was almost as if he were sending, with every beat, a pulse driving message that silently cried out to the world, "Willow, I love you, too..." but glances fell with every glance met and we walked away from feelings left unspoken. Still, all our running away, didn't make it any easier, it only made everything so much harder. These feelings weren't going to go away by themselves, and he knew it, and so did I. Be that as it may, Angel and I spoke not a word to each other. There were times when we almost did speak, but there were always so many other matters occurring around us that we couldn't. Then, he came to my bedroom one night, to seek help for Buffy, and although nothing happened, but what was necessary, everything happened at the same moment. I invited him in nervously, almost forgetting that he needed to be invited before he could come. He stood close by to me and I could smell the scent of his cologne and feel his strong, tall form surround me. So close by, he had been, so within my reach and I in his, but we couldn't...at least not then and certainly not there. Xander had found out that Angel had come to me in the night and to my bedroom and I had managed to reply jokingly, "Our is a forbidden love." Being Xander, he shook his head and smiled, but I guess he'll never know the truth of such a comment, and I will never tell him. There came a battle, in the midst of the fighting, Xander and Buffy were separated from us, and Angel and I were left to ourselves. It was one of those situations where holding someone's hand was excusable, and we made that situation our excuse to feel Romeo and Juliet's palm-to-palm kiss. However, this affectionate touch only made our hearts beat faster and only made us walk, not to the library like we planned, but to some place were we could be alone, where talking could be done, but the latter at a very later time. We arrived at his place, and before we could even open the door, the feelings locked for so long erupted in kisses of passion and desire. We finally pulled away and just stared at each other for a few seconds. I felt awkward in my pajamas, which I knew weren't the most elegant in the world. And I found myself comparing myself to Buffy and her looks and charms and I knew I couldn't compete against her, and then I realized as I glanced in his eyes, he had chosen to be with Buffy. He had chosen to be with me. Our lips met again, this time slower and more gently than before. His touch against my skin was...electrifying. Thoughts of forbidden love and worries about my friends vanished with every kiss and every caress and before I knew it, I had fallen into his cloak of darkness and decided silently that going elsewhere was impossible. **************End of Part 1 _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Kirstin" Subject: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: beta reader request Date: 03 Apr 1998 14:06:46 -0500 I am wondering if there are any incredibly kind people out there who would beta read my first attempt at fanfic. I have a story that I've written called Fallen (some Angel/Willow stuff in response to Anya's story Gone . . . ) that I was wondering if someone would read for me and help me with. I would really appreciate it, but totally understand if people are too busy. Thanks a lot! Kirstin kmo@acpub.duke.edu - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: beta reader request Date: 03 Apr 1998 14:29:47 EST I'll beta read your story. -Michelle. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: The Dark One (6/6) Date: 03 Apr 1998 14:31:56 EST Title: The Dark One (6/6) Author: Michelle Email Addy: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG Spoiler: All episodes up to Killed By Death Feedback: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!! Disclaimer: Buffy and the gang belong to Joss Whedon, the WB, etc. The Story and the characters not part of the regular cast are mine! The Dark One Part 6 She stood in the middle of the field with the cold night's breeze blowing against her body. A stake sat easily reached strapped to her back. A knife was in her shoe under her pant leg. A dark figure slowly approached her from across the field. "Sorry I'm late Buffy. I hope you haven't been waiting long." "Let's just get this over with." "Whatever you say." Savarah leaped through the air until she stood a few feet away from Buffy. Buffy stood still for a moment and then kicked Savarah in the chin. The hit made her fall to the ground but she quickly recovered to her feet. "Good shot. I was beginning to forget what it feels like to hurt." "Don't worry, I won't let you forget." "Buffy punched her in the face several times and then kicked her in the side of the head with a roundhouse kick. "Okay, that is enough." Savarah kicked Buffy in the stomach five times and then kicked her directly in the face. Buffy stumbled back a few steps as she nursed her bloody face. "That had to hurt." "No, not really. Giles can hit harder than you." Savarah flew into the air towards Buffy but her kick was dodged. Savarah hit the ground hard. She moaned as she tried to get to her feet. "Not so tough with out your super powers, huh?" Buffy kicked Savarah in the stomach preventing her from getting to her feet. Buffy backed away as Savarah got to her feet. While Savarah was still in pain, Buffy grabbed the stake from her back and threw it at Savarah. She caught the stake in her hands and smiled. "Nice try, slayer. You're just not going to win this one." Savarah approached Buffy with the stake in her hands. Savarah raised her hand and Buffy flew threw the air hitting the ground in great pain. "What happened to a fair fight?" Buffy couldn't get up. "Oh, that, well it was a lie." Savarah stood over Buffy, ready to kill her like she had killed so many of her friends. Buffy looked up expecting to die when she remembered the knife in her shoe. Buffy threw her legs up into the air and knocked Savarah off of her. She grabbed the knife from beneath her pant leg and threw it into Savarah's back. She cried out in pain before pulling it out. "Stupid girl. You know better than that." Savarah jumped over to Buffy and kneeled down over her. Savarah taunted Buffy with the knife at her neck. "This is going to hurt. A lot." Buffy closed her eyes as she felt the cold knife moving across her neck. The knife dropped and Buffy opened her eyes to a familiar face. A sense of de sha vu struck her for a brief moment before she returned to reality. "Angel?" Buffy sat up feeling her neck for any wounds. Angel didn't answer. He turned and walked away into the darkness of the night. End of the Dark One Series. Please send feedback. If I get any good response I may do a series to follow this one up. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Kirstin" Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: beta reader request Date: 03 Apr 1998 14:50:28 -0500 thank you so much! :) okay, here it is. title: Fallen author: Kirstin e-mail: kmo@acpub.duke.edu There is no statute of limitations on forever, she told herself. You told him you love him. You have to honor that. But it was getting harder. So much had changed, in the month since he had left, in the weeks since she had. Things were completely different; she was completely different. And maybe somewhere inside she would always love him, but a different kind of love than she used to think. She had grown up with him, no matter how far apart they were, they would always be best friends. But she was beginning to see that distance really did matter, and that it wouldn't mean that she loved him less, if she let herself love someone else more. Buffy. How could she do this to Buffy? That was a completely different issue. She knew that Xander had never loved her the way she loved him. She wasn't betraying him. But she was betraying Buffy. In such a short time, the girls had grown so close. Buffy had opened her eyes, shown her things that she never knew existed. Willow had grown up a lot through their friendship, but she had grown even more when it ended. There was no way she could justify this. It was nothing but betrayal. Even though Angel and Buffy had never let themselves get too close, Willow knew that Buffy was in love. How could she do that to her best friend, even if Buffy and Angel would never see each other again? How could she ignore what she knew was right? But maybe Buffy and Angel weren't meant to be, Willow thought. After all, isn't he everything she is fighting against? It never would have worked out in the long run. They couldn't have had a future. A vampire and the slayer, that's practically the definition of star-crossed. Willow, on the other hand, knew exactly what Angel went through. She knew the bloodlust, and the guilt after. She knew what it was to be everything that she hated in the world, and together maybe they could make things work out. Maybe they did have a chance . . . Angel doesn't even want me, Willow decided. There is no way we have a chance. Just because I decided to be an awful person and turn against all of my friends doesn't mean that he has. He loves Buffy. I am just a friend. He wouldn't even have come with me, but he probably wanted to watch me in case I went full out vamp. Giles just made him come along to stake me if I started any problems. That's all it is. But when he looks at me now, it's different. Softer. It's like he has noticed that I'm changing too. I'm not the girl I used to be. I feel older, a lot less naive. And when I see myself, what little of myself I can still see in the mirror, I look different too. There's something there that wasn't there before. And I like it. I think I'm finally starting to see myself as beautiful. And someday maybe I'll find someone to love me like I love him . . . maybe someday Angel might fall in love with me, like I'm falling in love with him. ***** This hadn't just started. It wasn't like he woke up last week and thought, hmm, maybe Willow. And it wasn't just because Buffy was gone, or because Willow was a vampire. There was more to it. In a way, it had always been there. He and Willow had always gotten along. She was the one to stick up for him. And she had always been beautiful. That was definite. But there was something new. Something in the way that she carried herself, something behind her eyes. She looked older, wiser, and a little more sure of herself. In the middle of all of her problems, she had really grown up and found herself. Willow could always make the best of a bad situation. She was smart, and fun, and he loved being around her. He had always known that, too. What he hadn't always known though, what he was beginning to discover, was that he was falling in love with her, with Willow. If he really thought about it, he had probably started to notice sometime just before Buffy and Xander had gone on their respective vacations. He, Willow, Giles, Jenny, and Cordelia had thrown a makeshift goodbye party for the departing Slayer and Slayerette. He remembered one point in the evening when he was alone with Willow, setting up for the party. They were getting out the cake, setting up plates and glasses, the usual pre-party fare. At some point in their stream of idle conversation, Willow said something that made him take notice. "I can't believe they're going to be gone for so long! Xander is leaving tomorrow, and Buffy just a few days after. I guess I'll get good at doing research, since I'll be all alone for a month, I can catch up on my prophecies or something. Bye-bye hanging out and having fun," Willow said sadly. "Don't worry Willow; I promise a lot of hanging out and having fun this summer. As long as 241 year old dead guys are your style," Angel answered with a laugh. "I guess that could be included in my definition of fun," she said, brightening up. "Maybe we could go Bronzing sometimes?" she asked hopefully. "Sure," he answered, "I'd love to dance with you." I wonder if she saw then what I saw, Angel thought. I wonder if the same forbidden thoughts were running through her mind then, and later. We spent so much time together. By day, she was Giles' research girl, but at night, she was mine. Did she feel it too? When we did the rounds at night, did the same feelings tug at her soul as tugged at mine? I just wanted to be with her, all the time. She had to know. God, I was so obvious sometimes! I acted like a sixteen-year-old, not a 241-year vampire. It's a good thing that vampires don't sweat. She would have noticed my damp palms dancing at the Bronze. I love holding her close like that, her tiny body folded into mine. It was all I could do not to kiss her then, even before everything happened and I knew I would never see Buffy again. Even if this had never happened, I would have had to end things with Buffy when she got back. I wouldn't have approached Willow, I couldn't put that strain on their friendship, but I also couldn't allow myself to lead Buffy on like that. I knew even then that she wasn't the one I loved. When Willow didn't answer my call the night they got her, I was trapped in fear. I ran through the city, looking everywhere I thought she might be. Finally, I reached the Anointed One's lair. I remember her, lying on the ground. She was passed out, sick. She was so cold when I picked her up. What if she had been dead? Well, in a way, she was dead. The fear raced through me. Thank god Giles was home when I got there. He found a pulse, a quiet low pulse. So we waited. I think he might have known how I feel about her. He could see it. I know that there is nothing for her in Europe. There are no Rom to cure her. She is what she is forever. I think Giles knows that too, but neither of us could tell Willow. This is her last hope. Maybe there is something there though, something that will reassure her, even if it won't cure her. She has a lot of fighting to do. Together though, I know we can get through it. I can help her control her urges, and she can help me with mine. We're good for each other. Sunnydale was bad for both of us. That's why I filled her head with hopes of an anchor for her soul. In Sunnydale, she would have driven a stake into her heart eventually, or forced Buffy to do it for her. She couldn't have handled being what she was, a Slayerette who should have been one of the slain. Giles and I knew that to keep her alive, we had to keep her away from home. And so we're going to Europe. We're going together. I hope that someday, we can truly be together. Maybe someday Willow might fall in love with me, like I've fallen in love with her. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Janine Sebastian Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: beta reader request Date: 03 Apr 1998 11:23:36 -0800 (PST) Kristin, Pick me! Pick me! Pick me! (sorry Robyn the Snowshoe-Hare hypnotized me and reverted me to the subconscious of a grade two'er) Seriously though, I'd love to betaread your stuff. I usually end up correcting spelling etc. when I read these stories anyways (my computer has an annoying habit of underlining in red everything that is misspelled. It gets to the point where the only way to get rid of the red is to correct the sp. Jeanie the Tortoise-Fly ---Kirstin wrote: > > I am wondering if there are any incredibly kind people out there who would > beta read my first attempt at fanfic. I have a story that I've written > called Fallen (some Angel/Willow stuff in response to Anya's story Gone . . > . ) that I was wondering if someone would read for me and help me with. I > would really appreciate it, but totally understand if people are too busy. > Thanks a lot! > Kirstin > kmo@acpub.duke.edu _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Kirstin" Subject: Re:Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: beta reader request Date: 03 Apr 1998 15:33:52 -0500 as regards to the buffyfic i just inadvertently sent out, let me get the specifics down here, the standard disclaimers and what-have-yous. title: Fallen (1/1) rating: strictly G or PG here. nothing anybody can't read. disclaimer: these characters are joss's, the wb's, mutant enemy's, anyone else who has a valid claim that i don't know about's property. they aren't mine. neither is the stuff from Gone . . ., Anya's story, which this is a sequel to. the ideas here, however, are mine. please don't steal them distribution: ask and ye shall receive. feedback: pretty please with a cherry on top. apologies: this hasn't been beta read yet (due to an error it as sent out early.) i will send it out later with appropriate revisions. if you so choose, you can not read the version i sent now, since the later version will theoretically be better. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: The Dark One (6/6) Date: 03 Apr 1998 15:54:44 EST That was great! You should definately follow up. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: CalliScrlt Subject: BUFFYFIC: Equinox (1/7) Date: 03 Apr 1998 18:40:34 EST TITLE: Equinox AUTHOR: Calligraphy (It's a pen name, I like it, so there! :P ) E-MAIL: CalliScrlt@aol.com or Showtunejunkie@juno.com RATING: This part is probably PG-14... maybe R. SPOILERS: Up until Passion, but not if you nitpick about Angelus being= =0Ainvited in. ;) SUMMARY: Oz/Willow romance and/or Oz the Freaky Werewolf Story, Angelus= =0Amaking a guest appearance, as well as Buffy. DIST: Anyone who wants it can have it, just E-mail me and tell me you're= =0Ataking it! DISCLAIMER: All the characters below don't belong to me. I'm just borro= wing=0Athem for the time being. Except for Todd, and I don't like him, s= o anyone who=0Awants him can have him and sacrifice him to vampires. All= the characters=0Abelong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy Inc, all them other= companies. Please=0Adon't sue. I love BTVS devotedly. Equinox by Calligraphy ********************************************* Willow Rosenburg stared at the page of calculus homework, the theorems= =0Adancing through her mind in a calming, peaceful way. Few people liked= school=0Awork, but she found it extremely relaxing. And after the week = she=92d had, she=0Aneeded it desperately. Angelus had tried to kill Buff= y, Giles was still=0Areally freaked out about Ms. Calendar=92s death. Ev= eryone was under a lot of=0Astrain. "RRIINNG!" Willow picked up the pho= ne, hearing Buffy=92s insistent=0Avoice over the line. "So, we Bronzin=92 it tonight? Xander=92s bringing Cordelia, You can bri= ng Oz,=0Aand I=92ll just sit in the corner and mope because I=92m current= ly a social=0Aleper." "Buffy, don=92t be so hard on yourself. You=92ll meet another guy." "The only time I=92ve met anyone in the past month is in a graveyard, and= the=0Aconversation=92s usually pretty short, if you know what I mean. S= o, what time=0Acan we expect you?" "I=92m not coming. I=92ve got Calculus homework to do." "You=92d miss a chance to be with Oz? That=92s a switch." Willow blushed crimson. "He can=92t go either." "Why? His band can=92t have a gig. There=92s no place to play other tha= n the=0ABronze." "No, it=92s not that. It=92s=97" "What?" "H-his time of the month." Willow chewed her bottom lip as Buffy laughed= .=0A"It=92s actually not, there isn=92t another full moon for two weeks, = but tonight=92s=0Asupposed to be the equinox, and since Giles couldn=92t = find anything in his=0Abooks about it, Oz thought it would be better to b= e on the safe side, and, you=0Aknow, stay in." Willow could imagine Buffy sitting on her bed on the other end, chuckling= to=0Aherself and thinking how pathetic she was to be dating someone like= Oz.=0AWillow didn=92t want to admit it, but she envied Buffy. After all= , Buffy was=0Athe experienced one, whereas Oz seemed to lose interest pas= t a few kisses.=0AMaybe losing interest wasn=92t the right phrase. It wa= s more like he was=0Aholding back. She snapped back to attention. Buffy was talking again. "=85Sure you do= n=92t=0Awant to go? We can drink cappuccino and be lonely together." Wi= llow was=0Aabout to decline, when Buffy went on. "Please? I need someon= e to be around=0Afor awhile." Willow sighed, ever so softly, and answered. "All right, Buffy. I=92ll = meet=0Ayou there at seven?" "It=92s a date! Now I=92ve got to go find an outfit! Bye!" She hung up= . Willow=92s slipped the cradle into the receiver, and leaned back against = her=0Abed. It=92s hard to be best friends with Ms. Emotional Rollercoas= ter,=0Aotherwise known as the Vampire Slayer. *********(Oz=92s House)********* Oz bolted the door, slipping the key underneath it. When he was coherent= =0Aagain, he could pull it back through. In wolf form, his claws were to= o big to=0Areach it. His father wondered if it was a necessary precautio= n. He=92d heard=0Aof the family ailment, and while he didn=92t have it h= imself, he also knew that=0AOz had never before managed to get the shackl= es off and make it all the way to=0Athe door. Still, Oz liked to be safe. After he heard he almost killed Willow, he s= pent=0Aall morning in a fog, trying to decide whether to cut school and m= ove to=0ACanada. He=92d heard it was nice. Lots of trees. Open space. = Fastening the=0Ashackles first around his feet, then his wrists, he thou= ght about what if he=0Aand Willow got married and moved there. Subconsci= ously, he tried not to think=0Aabout changing. It was easier when you we= ren=92t tense. Maybe they would have=0Akids. Two, or three. Not that = one wouldn=92t be great, but he=92d been an only=0Achild, and he=92d alwa= ys been envious of his cousins, who came from a family of=0Atwelve kids. = Yes, twelve. They lived in the mountains. These weren=92t the=0Acousin= s that included Jordie, his family was in Northern LA He tried to reach= =0Athem all week, to see what they knew about the equinox, but they seeme= d to be=0Aout at a family reunion. Oz puzzled over this, wondering why a= family reunion=0Ahadn=92t included his family, and then he=92d dismissed= it as being the family on=0Ahis aunt=92s side. Reclining back against t= he wall of the bare bonus room, he=0Ashivered, and drifted off to sleep. = If he changed, hopefully, he wouldn=92t=0Aremember it. *********(The Bronze)********* Willow stirred her cappuccino idly with a cinnamon stick. Briefly, she= =0Aglanced out to the dance floor, Xander and Cordelia writhing around in= a dance=0Athat was just a step above the Lambada. Buffy, at Willow=92s= own urging, was=0Anow out dancing with some guy named Todd. The music w= as giving her a=0Aheadache, and she sipped the cappuccino with care. She= shouldn=92t have=0Abothered to come. *********(Oz=92s House)********* Oz jerked awake, trying to catch his breath. He=92d had the weirdest dre= am.=0AProbably because he=92d spent the night as a werewolf trying to str= uggle out of=0Aclothes and shackles. But wait. Something was wrong. It= hit him, as he=0Aunlocked the shackles. There was no sign of any troubl= e. No weird-looking=0Asaliva (ick, but hey, you=92ve gotta take the bad = with the good), no tears in=0Ahis shirt, and he was in about the same po= sition as he was before he fell=0Aasleep. Checking his watch, he chuckle= d to himself. It was only nine thirty=0Aat night. He hadn=92t changed a= bit. That settled the Equinox question, he thought. He wondered where Willow = was,=0Aand then remembered she said something about turning in early. Sl= iding the=0Akey back from under the door, Oz let himself out into the off= ice/library,=0Amostly his because his father was a busy executive, and hi= s mother was on a=0Alecture tour on women=92s rights and empowerment. It= always sounded to Oz like=0Ashe was just a less commercialized self-help= guru. Either way, they both were=0Anever around, and they bought him in= credible presents to make up for it. Such=0Aas his guitar and amp. Saun= tering into the bathroom, he looked into the=0Amirror, checking his hair.= The outfit didn=92t matter, but the hair always had=0Ato be good before= he did anything. Slipping in an earring, he decided he=92d=0Ahead to th= e Bronze and see if Devon was there. Though he didn=92t think much of=0A= his best friend, he enjoyed the clear fact that they had nothing in commo= n=0Aexcept for the band, and that, the more you thought about it, they we= re=0Aperfect foils for each other. Rifling through a pile of semi-clean clothes, Oz found his car keys, befo= re=0Aremembering that his van was in the shop. Tossing them aside, he de= cided to=0Ajust walk. Which was probably a good idea, he thought=85 He h= ad an odd,=0Arestless feeling he needed to work off. *********(The Bronze)********* Willow lifted her head off of the table. Her cappuccino was cold, and th= e=0ABronze was silent and very dark. Looking around, she ventured a word= .=0A"=85Buffy=85?" The walls echoed the name back to her, and suddenly, = the double=0Adoors across the Bronze opened. Angelus stood in the doorway, a stale wind flapping the tails of his tren= ch=0Acoat. His eyes were cold steel, and he spotted Willow immediately. = Baring=0Ahis fangs, he stalked her, making his way to the booth with lig= htning speed. She tried to move, but her feet seemed glued to the table. In an instant= , he=0Awas on top of her, jerking her head to the side, her v-necked shir= t giving him=0Aeasy access to her throat. Willow felt his fangs slide ac= ross her flesh,=0Asearching for a vein, she surmised. But the bite she = expected didn=92t come.=0AHis fangs danced over her neck, his lips kissin= g her gently. "Willow=85" He=0Awhispered, his lips meeting hers. "Willow?" Willow looked up, seeing only Angelus for a moment, then her gaze shifted= . "WILLOW?!!!" Buffy stood above her, growling, crossbow trained on Willow= =92s=0Athroat. Standing next to her was a huge frog. Willow saw her reach for the trigger, and shouted. "Buffy!" TO BE CONTINUED....!!! ******************** Want to hear more?! I want feedback! CalliScrlt@aol.com=0A - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (1/?) by Ingrid Date: 03 Apr 1998 18:39:45 -0500 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Buffy, Giles, Spike, Drusilla, Willow, Angel & co. are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: Oh God! You know what? I just can’t keep my word! I was planning on writing the whole thing before sending it to the list, but at that rate, you’d never get it, so here goes… Welcome to my new story. This one might be a tad difficult to understand at first, since it takes place ten years into the future, and I’m not telling you what’s happened in advance. I’m going to reveal that as time goes on in the story. I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. ********* "Reunion" by Ingrid Part One: "Portents" ********* The moon was large and seemed to expand with every step she took toward she knew not where. Blood dripped from each star in the sky. The grass was damp and fresh against her bare feet, perfect for relaxation, but something was driving her towards the river. A still lake reflected the light somberly, completely black otherwise. She bent down and watched the light grow stronger. Now the water was rippling outward in circles. Startled, she bent down and reached out for the fish. Instead, a hideous face rose from the water, its large glassy blue eyes staring vacantly upward. The body was bloated with the water, and the face distorted, but suddenly things became as clear as the lake itself. Willow. The red hair floated around her, framing her face, and quickly turned to a silvery gray. In an instant, the face began to cry tears of blood, screaming her name. It didn’t matter that she was decomposing- this was Willow. Buffy reached out for the head a moment to late. It writhed in agony as if being pulled back under by force, and again, the dark lake became calm. Buffy stood up, and continued around the lake to see countless heads floating in the water, disappearing like holograms if she got too close. The lake turned black with blood, the thick liquid lapping at the earth surrounding it. Something was emerging from behind the trees at the far side of the lake. A single hooded figure paddled a rowboat through the mess and seemed to be searching among the faces for one in particular. Buffy ran to the edge of the lake frantically. The oarsman removed the cloth slowly, revealing a bleached hair and a pale complexion. "Dru!" He screamed, violently shoving the heads away when he couldn’t find the face of his love. Thunder raged, and lightning ripped the sky in two. Thousands of mouths began to groan. Then he looked up, catching sight of her. "You killed her, but now it’s time, slayer," he shouted over the horrible wail. Tears streamed down the bloodless cheeks and his face contorted. "IT’S TIME," he roared again, and she saw him drop a silver pocket watch into the blood-water. Once again, lightning illuminated the sky, and then faded to the dark of the sheets on her bed. Back to reality. Their place. Her life. Angel sleeping peacefully next to her. She made no sound but couldn’t seem to stop shaking. So much of what she’d seen was part of a life that existed for her now only in memories. Bad Memories. Seeing Willow’s face, fresh in her mind- and the way she’d looked! It was terrifying to recall. She coughed suddenly. That was what woke him up. "Buffy," he murmured half in sleep, pulling her closer. He sobered quickly when he felt the tremors of her body. "Buffy, what’s wrong?" Angel probed her eyes for the cause of such distress, though it wasn’t too hard to figure out at this point. Things had been so peaceful for years now, until recently. Recently, she’d begun to have the dreams again. They were like those that she used to have right before she’d become a slayer. But that was all over now, wasn’t it? They’d assured her, Buffy had told him, that that had been the end. They hadn’t mentioned nightmares after discharge. She sighed and avoided direct eye-contact. "Yeah. Just another dream. Nothing to worry about." *Why does he have to be such a damned light sleeper,* she added mentally. *Your husband,* she reminded herself, *he’s your husband and he’s supposed to be concerned.* But she didn’t have any answers for him, and that was the most disturbing part of all. She tried to bury her head in the pillow, but her attempts proved unsuccessful. He tipped her chin up towards him and kissed her gently on the lips. "Maybe we should talk to-" "Don’t even say it, Angel. I’d have to kill you." "But Buffy, he knows…" His voice trailed off, lost on some forgotten trail. "He’s not the watcher anymore. I’m not the slayer. What makes you think that these dreams have anything to do with slayers? Couldn’t I just be having regular nightmares?" "Do they feel like regular nightmares?" "Okay, I admit, they are strange." "What did you see this time?" She paused, and finally conceded to his pleading eyes. "Willow. Willow, and Spike. She was dead Angel. Her head was in the water, and she was floating. It was horrible." He tightened his arms around her, and she began to accept his comfort, settling against him finally. "Buffy, I know you don’t want to raise ghosts, or bring back old demons, and I know I’m the last person he’d want sending you to him, but if he can help-" "Angel, no." She raised her voice, nearly crying now, "I’ve put that life behind me now. It’s over. I made it. And we’ve all suffered, but he’s suffered the most. I want to let him have some kind of peace. He left because he wanted to be alone, not because he wanted me to go traipsing cross-country and dump my baggage on him. I won’t do it!" A high pitched wail pierced the stillness of the night. Buffy’s eyes were welling up now, like ghosts manifest. She coughed desperately and dropped her head into her hands. Angel touched her on the shoulder briefly and went to answer the cry. She didn’t look up. Suddenly, there was silence again. She dragged herself from her seat on the bed and crossed the hall. He held the baby in his arms, the blue light from the window pouring down on them both, making them more like a fragment of her dream than something real. She could see the bond between them. Ever since Willow had been born, she and Angel had been attached at the hip. She represented hope to him, and the realization of a dream he’d given up hundreds of years ago. The delicate eyes were drooping now as he lowered the child back into her crib. Buffy crossed the room and stood by, joining him in looking on at their daughter, who was now sleeping with a peace she could barely remember ever having. Angel suddenly looked exhausted, and she came to her senses finally, pulling him back with her into the bedroom. She slipped into bed next to him and closed her eyes. Searching her mind, she tried to play back warmer days in her head, but nothing was retrievable. For the rest of the night, all she could see was that face. *** END, PART ONE. Tell me what you thought. I cannot live on posts alone! (Ingrid29@juno.com) Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return to Normalcy," "One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a Chance," "Tragic Sighs" and "Footsteps." _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Daphne1784 Subject: BUFFYFIC: Test Readers needed for Homecoming Pt 2/? Date: 03 Apr 1998 19:24:48 EST Hi. This is Katherine again. I know you haven't heard from me for a while but I just finished the second part to my story, "Homecoming", and since I am very insecure about this story since it is my very first fanfic, I'm asking you, the loyal readers to please proof my story. Thanks! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: hjrobert@nap.com Subject: BUFFYFIC: beta reader request Date: 03 Apr 1998 19:32:58 +0000 OH MY GOD!!! that was the mother of awsome storys! write a sequal!!! There is no statute of limitations on forever, she told herself. You told him you love him. You have to honor that. But it was getting harder. So much had changed, in the month since he had left, in the weeks since she had. Things were completely different; she was completely different. And maybe somewhere inside she would always love him, but a different kind of love than she used to think. She had grown up with him, no matter how far apart they were, they would always be best friends. But she was beginning to see that distance really did matter, and that it wouldn't mean that she loved him less, if she let herself love someone else more. Buffy. How could she do this to Buffy? That was a completely different issue. She knew that Xander had never loved her the way she loved him. She wasn't betraying him. But she was betraying Buffy. In such a short time, the girls had grown so close. Buffy had opened her eyes, shown her things that she never knew existed. Willow had grown up a lot through their friendship, but she had grown even more when it ended. There was no way she could justify this. It was nothing but betrayal. Even though Angel and Buffy had never let themselves get too close, Willow knew that Buffy was in love. How could she do that to her best friend, even if Buffy and Angel would never see each other again? How could she ignore what she knew was right? But maybe Buffy and Angel weren't meant to be, Willow thought. After all, isn't he everything she is fighting against? It never would have worked out in the long run. They couldn't have had a future. A vampire and the slayer, that's practically the definition of star-crossed. Willow, on the other hand, knew exactly what Angel went through. She knew the bloodlust, and the guilt after. She knew what it was to be everything that she hated in the world, and together maybe they could make things work out. Maybe they did have a chance . . . Angel doesn't even want me, Willow decided. There is no way we have a chance. Just because I decided to be an awful person and turn against all of my friends doesn't mean that he has. He loves Buffy. I am just a friend. He wouldn't even have come with me, but he probably wanted to watch me in case I went full out vamp. Giles just made him come along to stake me if I started any problems. That's all it is. But when he looks at me now, it's different. Softer. It's like he has noticed that I'm changing too. I'm not the girl I used to be. I feel older, a lot less naive. And when I see myself, what little of myself I can still see in the mirror, I look different too. There's something there that wasn't there before. And I like it. I think I'm finally starting to see myself as beautiful. And someday maybe I'll find someone to love me like I love him . . . maybe someday Angel might fall in love with me, like I'm falling in love with him. ***** This hadn't just started. It wasn't like he woke up last week and thought, hmm, maybe Willow. And it wasn't just because Buffy was gone, or because Willow was a vampire. There was more to it. In a way, it had always been there. He and Willow had always gotten along. She was the one to stick up for him. And she had always been beautiful. That was definite. But there was something new. Something in the way that she carried herself, something behind her eyes. She looked older, wiser, and a little more sure of herself. In the middle of all of her problems, she had really grown up and found herself. Willow could always make the best of a bad situation. She was smart, and fun, and he loved being around her. He had always known that, too. What he hadn't always known though, what he was beginning to discover, was that he was falling in love with her, with Willow. If he really thought about it, he had probably started to notice sometime just before Buffy and Xander had gone on their respective vacations. He, Willow, Giles, Jenny, and Cordelia had thrown a makeshift goodbye party for the departing Slayer and Slayerette. He remembered one point in the evening when he was alone with Willow, setting up for the party. They were getting out the cake, setting up plates and glasses, the usual pre-party fare. At some point in their stream of idle conversation, Willow said something that made him take notice. "I can't believe they're going to be gone for so long! Xander is leaving tomorrow, and Buffy just a few days after. I guess I'll get good at doing research, since I'll be all alone for a month, I can catch up on my prophecies or something. Bye-bye hanging out and having fun," Willow said sadly. "Don't worry Willow; I promise a lot of hanging out and having fun this summer. As long as 241 year old dead guys are your style," Angel answered with a laugh. "I guess that could be included in my definition of fun," she said, brightening up. "Maybe we could go Bronzing sometimes?" she asked hopefully. "Sure," he answered, "I'd love to dance with you." I wonder if she saw then what I saw, Angel thought. I wonder if the same forbidden thoughts were running through her mind then, and later. We spent so much time together. By day, she was Giles' research girl, but at night, she was mine. Did she feel it too? When we did the rounds at night, did the same feelings tug at her soul as tugged at mine? I just wanted to be with her, all the time. She had to know. God, I was so obvious sometimes! I acted like a sixteen-year-old, not a 241-year vampire. It's a good thing that vampires don't sweat. She would have noticed my damp palms dancing at the Bronze. I love holding her close like that, her tiny body folded into mine. It was all I could do not to kiss her then, even before everything happened and I knew I would never see Buffy again. Even if this had never happened, I would have had to end things with Buffy when she got back. I wouldn't have approached Willow, I couldn't put that strain on their friendship, but I also couldn't allow myself to lead Buffy on like that. I knew even then that she wasn't the one I loved. When Willow didn't answer my call the night they got her, I was trapped in fear. I ran through the city, looking everywhere I thought she might be. Finally, I reached the Anointed One's lair. I remember her, lying on the ground. She was passed out, sick. She was so cold when I picked her up. What if she had been dead? Well, in a way, she was dead. The fear raced through me. Thank god Giles was home when I got there. He found a pulse, a quiet low pulse. So we waited. I think he might have known how I feel about her. He could see it. I know that there is nothing for her in Europe. There are no Rom to cure her. She is what she is forever. I think Giles knows that too, but neither of us could tell Willow. This is her last hope. Maybe there is something there though, something that will reassure her, even if it won't cure her. She has a lot of fighting to do. Together though, I know we can get through it. I can help her control her urges, and she can help me with mine. We're good for each other. Sunnydale was bad for both of us. That's why I filled her head with hopes of an anchor for her soul. In Sunnydale, she would have driven a stake into her heart eventually, or forced Buffy to do it for her. She couldn't have handled being what she was, a Slayerette who should have been one of the slain. Giles and I knew that to keep her alive, we had to keep her away from home. And so we're going to Europe. We're going together. I hope that someday, we can truly be together. Maybe someday Willow might fall in love with me, like I've fallen in love with her. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: BUFFYFIC: Buffyfic: Chronicles of the White Knight (4/?) Date: 03 Apr 1998 16:42:57 -0800 Name: The Chronicles of the White Knight #4 Never the One Author: Taygeta Address: taygeta@juno.com Feedback: Please send Uses in anything: Ask me first. Spoiler: Not really, might have mentioned a past episode. Description: Cordelia has a dream about Xander and Buffy Disclaimer: The Buffy characters portrayed in this story and any other references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the property of its creater Joss Whedon, and its owners Mutant Enemy productions, Kuzui Productions, Sandollar Productions, and 20th Century Fox. Warning: Not really, just kissing, and no major violence or foul language. So, PG ********************* Chronicles of the White Knight #4 Never the One By: Taygeta "Are you sure, Cordelia?" asked Xander with a sigh as he cradled the phone against his shoulder why pouring himself a glass of milk. "Of course, I'm sure, Xander," said Cordelia with a sigh after some repetitive coughing, "Go to the dance with them. Just because I'm sick doesn't mean you can't go." "But Cordelia not going to a school dance seems wrong somehow," replied Xander placing the carton back into the refrigerator and closing the door. "Yeah, but Xander not going to a dance won't make a difference, now would it?" retorted Cordelia straightforwardly. "Well, if you put it that way - " Xander began, but he stopped, "Look, Cordy, just try and get better, huh? I mean, who else am I going to argue with at school, and let's not forget, kiss and make-up with?" "It's not like I'm Buffy and can just slay this cold!" said Cordelia with a laugh, "Hey, what's up with her and her clothes nowadays anyway? Don't you remember that thing she wore a few days ago? You know that blue thing?" Xander ignored her comments of Buffy, like he always did and with a sigh he said, "Just get better, Cordy, huh? And I'll see you as soon as I can." Before Xander could hang up, he heard Cordelia's voice say, "Go to the dance, Xander! You don't have to stay home on my account." When he did hang up, Cordelia sighed, and felt her head throbbing from her head cold. She not only felt awful, but she knew she looked just as awful. Dropping her head onto her large white pillows, Cordelia couldn't help, but wonder was Xander going to the dance or staying home? She knew that despite all of what she had said to him to make him go the dance she wanted to think that Xander would do something romantic like stay with her and help her get better. Cordelia shook her head and knew that although Xander could be romantic, he wasn't when it came to her most of the time, and most of time she even wondered if he knew if she was alive. She yawned and thought that having a nice early nap would help her get better. Still, her thoughts were of Xander and Buffy, and she was so worried about all of that that she fell into a troubling dream. A nightmare for her, but she knew that it was a dream beyond dreams for her boyfriend who was in love with someone else... ...As she walked into the building, she realized that the Bronze was a little more smoke-filled than it had been usually, but considering that the dance was being held there, it wasn't unusual. Oz and his band, "The Dingoes Ate My Baby" played a slow song and Willow, as usual, was gazing at Oz with a dreamy expression. She was now an official groupie, and she didn't mind that she didn't get to dance because her boyfriend was in the band, more or less because she didn't like to dance. Meaning, that she thought that that was a plus in her new relationship. Cordelia peered at the table, noticing that Willow wasn't alone, and that Xander and Buffy were seated beside her, laughing. She walked towards them, but when she sat down at their table, she was surprised that they didn't even notice her. "Hey, guys, I came!" Cordelia said in her normal voice, but still no one saw her there. "Buffy, what do you say to dancing?" asked Xander suddenly, standing up from his seat, and Cordelia saw Buffy smile. "I don't think so, Xander, I - " Buffy began as she shook her head. "Go on, Buffy, dance with him," Willow said, tearing her eyes away from Oz for a moment to urge Buffy to dance with Xander. Buffy sighed and smiled as she stood up, "Sure, Xander, I'd love to dance with you." "Yes, Buffy, very enthusiastic," said Xander with a chuckle as he and she walked to the dance floor. Cordelia frowned and scrutinized Buffy's clothing like she always did. That night, she was wearing a sleeveless dress made of a chiffon material of lavender, like Cordelia had seen earlier that day in a fashion magazine. For the first time, Cordelia had no criticism and that scared her, so she turned to give Xander a look, thinking she had to find something wrong with Xander's clothes, she always did. Tonight was no exception; Xander had on all white and stood out in the crowd. Then she realized that it didn't matter that he stood out, he actually looked good! Noticing that no one knew she was alive, she followed them to the dance floor and was dying to hear their conversation. She resented that they always talked to each other, and it seemed, about everything. Xander went out on vampire patrol with Buffy far too many times than Cordelia liked. She stood idly by, close enough to hear them, but far enough so that she didn't feel weird just standing there. "So, Buffy, do I even get close to being your White Knight of your dreams?" Cordelia heard Xander say to Buffy. Cordelia remembered hearing Willow tell her about Buffy's dream of the White Knight. Willow had joked that Xander had thought that it was himself before she had even begun explaining. "Well, my White Knight did dance closer," said Buffy with a light smile, and Cordelia was shocked to see that they began to dance so close that there wasn't even air between them. "Something like this, yes, but something's missing." "That tramp, she wouldn't," said Cordelia under her breath and towards Xander she said, "That two-timing jerk, why I outta - " Despite her angry remarks, Cordelia stood her ground and waited for the scene to unfold. "You mean, this?" Xander said and then their lips met, slightly hesitant, and then they pulled away and just looked at each other. Their pounding hearts seemed to echo in Cordelia's head and just when she thought their pulses had slowed, they kissed, again, and this time even longer than before. Cordelia's jaw dropped, she had anticipated it, but she hadn't prepared for it. She was feeling very angry for two reasons. The first, Buffy and Xander, her boyfriend, had kissed each other, not once, but twice. Secondly, Xander had never kissed her like that, ever, and coming to the second reason, she sighed. A wave of depression hit her, as she realized he probably would never kiss her like that, a kiss with such passion that it meant love... ...She sat up right as she heard a knock on her door, and she walked to the door wondering who there. The crazy dream was still clear in her mind when she opened the door. She brushed her hair away from her eyes as she saw who stood in front of her, Xander Harris. "Xander, what are you doing here? Aren't you going to the dance?" asked Cordelia with a surprised tone. "No, I'm not going to the dance. What kind of an insincere boyfriend do you think I am, Cordy?" asked Xander with a laugh as he walked into her room, all the while holding a bag of rental tapes and a large bag of popcorn. "The sweet kind," said Cordelia smiling as she began to look through the various videos that he had rented and decided which one she should complain about. As they watched the movie, Cordelia still didn't feel at ease with the dream she had, although it was just a dream. She couldn't get rid of the mental picture of Xander and Buffy...kissing. Cordelia feared that it would cease to be just a dream, and would soon spill into reality. Sure, Xander was being nice and was lately being romantic and showing major concern over her, but what value did she have in Xander's heart? Was she number two or number three? The possibilities were endless, but eliminating a number out of the possibilities was easy. Cordelia knew that she could never occupy that reserved number in Xander's heart, a soft spot where Buffy would always remain, the number one. _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Tracy Cain" Subject: BUFFYFIC: The Third Child: Prologue Date: 03 Apr 1998 19:02:55 PST Name: The Third Child Author: Rihanon Address: Rihanon@hotmail.com Feedback: This is my first story, please share! Good? Bad? Ugly? I crave this information!!!!!!!! Summary: Semi-typical story, this is just the prologue, so read it yourself! Spoilers: uh- What's My Line? Definitely before S/I, though. Disclaimer: In no way am I creative enough to come up with the characters used in this story. If you recognize anything, it's not mine, and belongs to the evil Joss. Warnings: If you're anti-Buffy/Angel, delete now. A little bit of profanity, and later parts may contain more. Semi-sadistic. *grin* Rating: PG, for this part anyway. ************* The Third Child: Prologue by Rihanon ************* Buffy felt a chill wind blow through her hair as she walked through the Sunnydale night. It had been unseasonably cold recently, but Giles had decided that it was a natural occurrence, unrelated to demons, vampires, or other weird evils. Just the same, she clutched her jacket more tightly around herself as she headed towards Angel's apartment. She sighed. Four days since she had half-carried, half-dragged him there following Drucilla's less than successful ‘coming-out party.' He had recovered at an amazing rate, one of the few perks involved in being a vampire. Angel. He meant more to her than he should have, but she was through trying to deny the spark between them. The cold fear that had swept through her when she had thought him dead at Kendra's hand, and the horror of not knowing what Spike or, as it turned out, Drucilla, might be doing to him were still fresh in her memory. It seemed that she would continue to care for- no, dammit, admit it- to *love* him wether she saw him or not. And, given her probable lifespan, his presence in her life was probably the most happiness she would ever know. At least those two vampires were dead, they had creeped her out more than she would ever admit, especially to Angel. Their sire. This time her shudder had nothing to do with the temperature. Of course it hadn't been his fault, she wasn't fool enough to blame him for what the demon had done in his name, but seeing them, vampires he had made, brought it home with unusual force that he had once been one of them. Besides, it was still spooky to think of him as, to all intents and purposes, their father. Oh well. At least they were dead. ********************************************************** Spike snarled as he paced back and forth through the dingy warehouse. He could hear Drucilla humming as she amused herself by slowly killing a pair of girls she had caught in the park. A smile lit across his face as one particularly loud scream rang out, but it faded just as quickly. <*Damn* that Slayer. And damn that cursed traitor Angelus to. In the past few days it's taken dozens of lives to restore me to strength. Of course, that pansy will take even longer to heal, with his sniveling refusal to kill for the blood he needs, but that's cold comfort.> Another scream ripped through the air, accompanied by whimpering pleas and insane giggling. He raised his head as a thought occurred to him. A sadistic grin slowly spreading across his features, he left to get pen and paper. ********************************************************** Feeeedback! BegBegBegBegBegBeg... ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (2/?) by Ingrid Date: 03 Apr 1998 23:30:46 -0500 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Cordelia and Xander are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: Thanks to some PRESSURE from certain individuals who shall remain nameless, I'm sending out another part. Just so you know, you're all going to be held responsible for my MENTAL BREAKDOWN! Anyway... =) Welcome to my new story. This one might be a tad difficult to understand at first, since it takes place ten years into the future, and I’m not telling you what’s happened in advance. I’m going to reveal that as time goes on in the story. I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. If you don’t get this, that’s because you haven’t read the other part. If you want to get this, ask me for it! ********* "Reunion," by Ingrid Part Two: "Prophesies" ********* "Did you find it yet?" "Give me a second, Cordelia, I just got down here!" "Hurry!" "Okay, okay. What the hell?" "What’s the matter?" "Please tell me this is one of those large-type books." A tall, well-built man emerged from the basement door carrying a dusty book the size of a large anvil. His dark hair and eyes were striking; his features handsome. The dark relaxed jeans and tan button-down shirt made him almost unidentifiable to anyone who might have known him in high school. "Here. It’s really dusty." He placed the book on the table without a sound, sat on the chair next to her and put his head in his hands. "She’s still having the nightmares?" The brunette leafed through the heavy volume. "Yes. This is the third time she’s told me, but I suspect there have been other times." She landed on a page with particularly small print, and grabbed her wire framed glasses in order to pursue it further. "Damn. Latin. It’s definitely a discussion of the multiple interpretations of the prophecy, but this is going to take quite a while to translate." Xander stood up and patted her on the back. "Goodnight," he sighed, and turned to leave. He was nearing the bedroom door when she finally turned around. "Wait!" She stood up and walked over to where he stood. "I didn’t say I was going to translate it tonight, Xander." "I just thought-" "I know I’ve been working late lately. You’ve been great- so patient. Thank you." Her gentle smile faded. "You’d think after watching for this long, I’d be good at it." "Hey," he interrupted, pushing the long hair back from her face, "You are." She smiled again, and looked at him as if she was seeing him for the first time. Her eyes finally settled to rest on his. She touched her lips to his gently, and chuckled as he deepened the kiss and wrapped his arms around her in a bear hug. Suddenly serious, she ran her fingers along his jaw. "I love you." One of the few times she’d said it though they’d been married for a couple of years now. He knew it, but somehow the words touched him more than anything else. Perhaps it came from being a writer. Sweeping her up into his arms, he carried her from the room. She smiled, and rested her head on his chest. *** END, PART TWO. My story you like? (YODA-SPEAK) Write to me, peoples!!! (Ingrid29@juno.com) _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: You Answered My Challenge!!! Date: 03 Apr 1998 23:35:16 -0500 Everybody- I just wanted to compliment everyone who answered my challenge (to write some Willow/Angel fic). They're all interesting spins on the situation. Who knows? Maybe if I ever finish "Reunion," I'll do my own take on it! Once again, my compliments! -Ingrid Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return to Normalcy," "One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a Chance," "Tragic Sighs" and "Footsteps." _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Margaret Wang Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: The Dark One (6/6) Date: 03 Apr 1998 21:09:14 -0800 Please write more. I really like it and it so please don't leave me hanging! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Anexsin Subject: BUFFYFIC: The Ties That Bind (10/10) Date: 04 Apr 1998 01:53:32 EST Title: The Ties That Bind (10/10) Author: Melinda Frango Email Addy: Anexsin@aol.com Rating: PG Spoiler: All episodes before Passion. Distribution: Ask first Feedback: Greatly appreciated. Disclaimer: Buffy and the gang belong to Joss Whedon, the WB, etc. Only the story is mine, and whatever characters never seen or mentioned on the show. Summary: Buffy and the gang get help from an unexpected source in restoring Angel's soul. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "Hello," a perky Buffy called out as she entered the library with Willow and Xander the next morning. "You are certainly happy this morning," Giles noticed. "Well I got a good night's sleep, the first in weeks," Buffy announced. "Good for you," Giles praised. "So why are we here on a sunday, G-man," Xander asked slightly annoyed at being woken up so early on a weekend. "I told you not to call me that," Giles reprimanded. "And Caitlin asked us to meet her in the library at noon," he informed them. "Is something wrong?" Willow asked. "She didn't say, but..." Giles was cut off by the library doors opening and Caitlin walking through them. "Hi guys! Sorry I'm late, Angel was being overprotective," Caitlin smiled slightly. "Why?" Willow seemed confused. " Because I'm leaving," she announced. "Leaving, already?" Buffy questioned. "Yeah, I have places to go, things to do, a cure to find. You know the usual. I just wanted to say goodbye, and to thank you for all your help." "When do you leave?" Giles asked. "My plane leaves at 1:30, which means I need to be getting on my way." "We'll miss you," Willow informed. "Oh, don't worry, I had to pinky swear my brother that I would write, and call, and visit, frequently," Caitlin laughed. "Can we drive you to the airport?" Giles offered. "No, I'll go myself. I hate tearful goodbyes," Caitlin answered. After Caitlin hugged everyone, and said her goodbyes, she turned towards the doors to leave she stopped and turned towards the group once again. "You'll take care of him for me?" she asked hopefully. They all nodded in agreement. "He's so lucky to have found friends like you," were her last words before exiting the library. "Well, I have to get going," Buffy said. "Where?" Giles, Willow, and Xander said in unison. Buffy smiled and answered, "I'm going to see Angel. If he won't come see me, I'll go see him." "Buffy, I don't think that's such a good idea," Giles argued. "This is just something I have to do. I need to know where I stand with him,I don't expect you to understand," Buffy finished, and then left the library as well. "I hope she's doing the right thing," Willow said softly. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Buffy took deep breaths before knocking on Angel's door. "I can't do this," she whispered to herself. "Yes, I can. Get a hold of yourself, Buffy," she scolded. She took one more deep breath and knocked loudly on the door. After a moment or two she heard feet shuffling towards the door. It opened to reveal Angel wearing a thin white t-shirt, black sweatpants, and looking very sleepy. As soon as he saw who was at the door, his eyes widened in disbelief. "Buffy," he breathed. "Hi," she answered shyly. "I hope I'm not bothering you, but I'm... we really need to talk, I-I wanted to see how you were, can I come in?" she rambled. "Sure," he answered and ushered her in and shut the door. Buffy glanced around the apartment, expecting it to look different, but it comforted her knowing that it was exactly the same as the last time she was here. Angel watched Buffy as she glanced around the room, before turning towards him once again. He waited for her to speak. "So...how are you doing?" she broke the silence. "I'm getting by, I guess," he answered. "You?" "I actually slept the whole night without a nightmare," she smiled at him. He smiled in return and looked towards the ground. "I know," he said sheepishly. "I had a feeling you did," she replied. "Look Buffy, I..." "Stop!" she said sternly. "I don't want to hear apologies or excuses. You have nothing to be sorry for." "I hurt you, I hurt all of them, how can you say that?" he asked surprised. "Because it's true. It wasn't you, why can't you understand that?" "I wish I could," Angel whispered. "Why are you really here, Buffy?" "I-I..I wanted to see you," she confessed. "God, I'm so sor......" He was cut off by Buffy closing the distance between them and pressing her lips firmly against his. If he wasn't going to take the first step, she was going to take it instead. She loved him far to much to let him get lost in his guilt, aside from the fact that she wanted to be in his arms again, to revel in the fact that her Angel came back to her. She just wanted things to be like they were before. Angel was taken by surprise when Buffy kissed him, he hesitated at first then gave into her, he pulled her closer to him and deepened the kiss. It felt so good having her in his arms again he couldn't hold back. To know that she still wanted him even after everything that had happened, overwhelmed his senses. When he knew she needed air he slowly pulled away from her. Buffy kept her eyes closed and took in the feel and scent of him, then slowly opened her eyes and leaned her forehead against his. "I love you," she whispered. "I never stopped loving you," was his answer. "Hold me," she pleaded. He wrapped his arms around her instantly and held her tightly in his embrace, while she layed her head over his heart, and entwined her arms around his neck. "Are we okay?" Angel asked quietly. "You still want there to be an us?" Buffy asked hopefully. He nodded and looked deep into her eyes seeing all the love she held for him. She smiled and the tears she was holding back began to spill down her cheeks. "God, I missed you so much," she sobbed. "I missed you," he stated, while wiping away her tears. Then he went to stroking her hair, content in the fact that she had forgiven him, and continued to love him. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* End part 10....to be continued in epilouge. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Gubs Subject: BUFFYFIC: Chalenge Date: 04 Apr 1998 08:59:07 -0500 (EST) Write some fic where JOyce gets a clue abvout whats going on with buffy. I would do this myself but I am an engineering student and my writing skills are abominable. I would send my fics to the list only as perfect examples of what not to do. But anyway anyone out there whose tired of joyce being so dense. Write something where she actually grows a brain - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC:Star-Cross'd Lovers(0/?) Date: 04 Apr 1998 09:22:25 EST Star-Cross’d Lovers (0/?) by Jaclyn Amy TITLE: Star-Crossed Lovers AUTHOR: Jaclyn Amy RATING: DISTRIBUTION: Ask me first. SPOILERS: None. SUMMARY: Angel is Angelus and has killed Ms. Calendar. Pretty much, this just shows how strong Angel’s and Buffy’s love is. Oh, and this isn’t your regular restoration story. This gets sad, so if you are not into that kind of thing, don’t read it. DISCLAIMER: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It is owned by Joss Wheden, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, 20th Century Fox, etc. No infringement intended. FEEDBACK: Please. Star-Cross’d Lovers (0/?) Prologue "What’s this?" Willow asked herself. It was late at night, almost so late that it was early morning. Yesterday, when subbing for the new computer teacher, she’d found a yellow disk of Ms. Calendars stuck behind the desk. She had finally gotten to look at it. "The Restoration Ceromony?" she asked aloud. As she read through it she noticed it kept refering to a vampire’s soul. //Angel? Was she going to save Angel?// It all made sense now: why she had stayed late, why the computer was trashed, why she was dead in the school. She quickly called Giles to tell him the big news. The phone rang four times when Buffy finally picked up. "Hello?" she asked, her voice unsteady. "Hey, Buffy, I have some big news for you! Can I talk to Giles for a sec?" There was a dead silence and then crying. "Buffy?" Xander’s voice suddenly came on the phone. "Will, Giles, Giles was murdered by Angel. We just came to the house and found him. Can you run over here?" The phone came loose from Willow’s hand and fell to the floor. "NO!" she screamed. "IT’S NOT TRUE." Her parents not being home, she ran as fast as she could to Giles’s. The trip seemed to take forever, though it was only a few minutes. Wild and dreary thoughts flew in and out her mind. All in all, she truly believed that they were lying to her. "Willow!" Cordelia shouted from outside the house. Willow quickly ran inside to find Giles’s mutilated corpse on the floor. Next to it was a note for Buffy, "Three down, five to go. See ya ‘round, lover." "No, no, no!" she cried. Tears flooded her face and her hands. Xander quickly embraced her. They stayed that way for an eternity, or at least it felt like that. "Where’s Buffy?" she finally spoke. "She’s gathering some of Giles things upstairs," Xander answered. Quietly, Buffy stepped down the stairs with her mother in her arms,"He’s going to kill us. He’s going to kill us all." End Prologue - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (3/?) by Ingrid Date: 04 Apr 1998 10:16:22 -0500 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Angel, Buffy Willow, Xander, Jenny, Giles & company are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: This one reveals a little about the past. It doesn't totally explain things though! Welcome to my new story. This one might be a tad difficult to understand at first, since it takes place ten years into the future, and I’m not telling you what’s happened in advance. I’m going to reveal that as time goes on in the story. I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. If you don’t get this, that’s because you haven’t read the other parts. If you want to get this, ask me for it! ********* "Reunion," by Ingrid Part Three: "Penance" ********* Angel turned the faucet marked hot. Scalding water hit his back and he exhaled sharply. The pale skin of his shoulders was turning red, but he ignored the stinging sensation and scrubbed hard at the tattoo on his back. This was his kind of exorcism. Images of Jenny flashed before his eyes. He heard the resounding snap of her neck and the sound of her body hitting the floor. Suddenly, he felt sick to his stomach. He scrubbed harder. Willow’s pitiful expression as he’d sunk his fangs into her neck. How he had had to unlock her arms from his shoulders so that she could drop to the ground just like Jenny. Her half-drained body and those despairing eyes. Memories of pain in his chest, and the endless chanting. Then feeling dizzy. So dizzy. Xander, angry, shouting. Commanding him to do something he never would have… Under normal circumstances. He should have known better, but he’d been dizzy, and disoriented, and Xander had been screaming at him, and Willow had been crying, and so he’d done it. Blood had flowed again. She’d tasted sweet, and she’d embraced him; embraced what he was offering. But she’d been oblivious. She’d been delirious, dammit! How could he have… Acute pain as he’d sliced his wrist and tipped her head up for her to drink. She’d done everything as easily as if it she’d simply been obeying someone older and wiser. He was definitely older. She’d been delirious! He gritted his teeth in pain as he realized he’d been working at the same spot for minutes now. The skin was raw to the touch, but he couldn’t stop. It hadn’t done a thing. And the blood had tasted horrible in his mouth as something erupted in his stomach. A battle had raged inside him, and he’d collapsed. Then the fangs had disappeared forever. This should have been his dream come true, but it wasn’t. She was still a corpse in the morning. He’d been dragged to the hospital with Buffy. She’d been buried while he was recuperating. Xander forgave him now, realizing how foolhardy it had been, but glad that Angel had been willing to follow him there. Little did he know that had Angel been aware that night, instead of delusional, he would have done anything the to avoid such a plan. God, what if it had worked? He almost jumped out of his skin at the shriek of the door. Quickly coming to his senses, he shut off the faucet and grabbed a pale yellow towel from the silver rack. "Angel?" "Yeah, I’m here," he answered, his voice sounding suddenly strange to him. The afternoon sun was filtering through the blinds, filling the place with light. Angel emerged from the bathroom door to find Buffy sitting on the bed. She looked up at him gravely. "What’s the matter?" "I’m going to call Giles." ******* END, PART THREE. Some feedback each day keeps the badfic away. Write to me at Ingrid29@juno.com, please! Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return to Normalcy," "One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a Chance," "Tragic Sighs" and "Footsteps." _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jill Kirby Subject: BUFFYFIC: Challenges Date: 04 Apr 1998 10:47:49 -0600 (CST) Just a short netiquette note regarding fiction challenges... Challenges a great way to "provoke" fiction. However, on many fiction lists it's standard that if you post a challenge, you must also post the first story of the challenge-- don't just post a challenge for Ethan and Willow fic, but post the first story dealing with E&W (this is an EXAMPLE, obviously ). This isn't a list rule, but please keep it in mind as a really good idea. Thanks. Jill Jill Kirby ~~ jtkirby@mcs.com ~~ www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/4107 NatPack ~~ ABotCoS ~~ NP4 ~~ Dreamer/Minstrel ~~ CW Oh the sound of the wind through my heart Makes me glad for all the ones that never knew my name... --Jann Arden Richards - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Lost & Found (1/?) Date: 04 Apr 1998 14:57:35 EST Lost & Found 1 Title: Vengeance (1/?) Author: Michelle E-mail: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG-13 = violence and graphic descriptions Summary: (you'll just have to read it) Spoilers: Everything up to Killed By Death Feedback: Please, good or bad, I need to know if I suck or not. I won't care if you tell me this story is horrible, I just want to know. This story is a second series following Vengeance. This story may not make sense unless you've read Vengeance. If you want, I can e-mail you the four parts of Vengenace. I don't know how long this one will go on, it will just go until I run out of ideas! The characters of this story belong to Joss, Sandollar, WB, etc. I'm just borrowing them for my stories. This series will answer a lot of the unanswered questions left from Vengeance. PLEASE SEND FEEDBACK!!! Lost & Found (1/?) "You can walk?" "Yeah, isn't it great?" The blond vampire stood before her with an overly excited grin on his face. Buffy wasn't expecting Spike to be capable of a fight. "So, did you ask me here just to show off?" Buffy was looking for any way out of the present situation. Her friends were in danger and Spike was getting in the way. "No, actually, I called you here to fight." Spike walked slowly towards Buffy, showing off his re-aquired skills. "Well then, what are you waiting for?" "Absolutely nothing." Buffy awoke to the sound of her stomach. She hadn't eaten anything in days and was starved. She quietly got out of bed making sure not to disturb Xander. He was right about one thing, as a vampire, he was much more attractive to Buffy. She walked down the cold metal stairs dressed in a long silk black gown. It was day and vampires laid scattered around the warehouse floor. Across the room she saw a lone vampire curled up on the ground. Buffy sat down next to him and carressed his arm. Before he could wake, she sunk her teeth into his neck. She had learned that the blood of a vampire tasted greater than any blood she had ever had. Satisfied, Buffy headed back to bed. Years had passed since Buffy became a vampire and she was haunted day and night by all the unconcible things she had done. Drusilla wanted her to suffer, and she did. She killed her family, her friends, everyone. The memory of their deaths was constantly on her mind. Weeks after Buffy became a vampire, she tracked down Cordelia and Oz and transformed them. Cordelia was killed in battle against Kendra over a year ago. Cordelia just never had the heart to be a vampire. Buffy awoke suddenly to the memories of death in her mind. She could feel that sun down was near. She clawed through the closet until she found a beautiful blue dress to wear. After she finished getting dressed, Buffy woke Xander with a kiss. The two headed downstairs where Willow and Oz were already eating. "We may be better off if you two would stop eating other vampires," Drusilla said as Angel carried her down the stairs. The two looked up for a second but then returned to their meals. "I guess they don't care, Dru." Buffy took every chance she got to attack Drusilla. Even as a vampire, Buffy hated her. Angel placed Drusilla down on her own two feet. "Did you sleep well last night, Buffy?" "I think you know the answer to that," Buffy said as she glared at Drusilla. "I'm hungry. Let's go eat." Buffy tugged at Xander's arm and he followed her out of the warehouse. Willow and Oz had already eaten and headed back to bed. "Why do you hate her so much Dru?" "Angel, have you not been paying attention these past years?" "She's one of us now. She's paid more than enough for the damage she has done." Drusilla slapped Angel across the face, hard. "How dare you!" "Even at your full strengh, you're still insane. Spike is dead, he deserved to die. Get over it!" Angel began to leave the room in a huff. "Never." Drusilla stared into open space. "I think it's time to bring out the secret weapon." "What?" "You, will just have to wait and see." A faint smile appeared on her face and grew into a giant grin as she fell to the ground laughing. "Oooh, this is going to be fun." ***** "Oh my God! Your...your...alive!" Buffy stared wide-eyed at the somewhat familiar face that stood before her. "I killed you, how are you..." "Drusilla brought me back. She said you needed to be taught a lesson." Buffy looked at Dru and saw the exagerated smile on her face. "What, killing my family and friends wasn't enough for you? Watching everyone I ever loved die in front of me, because of me, wasn't enough?" Buffy stood a few inches away from Drusilla. "Huh, you had to go and do this?" "It will never be enough." The thought of killing Drusilla right there crossed her mind. Buffy turned to face the one she thought she had put out of harms way. "Dru, you're going to pay for this." Buffy looked at Giles. Spike's image filled her mind. His vampiric faces that stood their waiting to attack. She growled and lunged at Giles but stopped mid-stride and turned around quickly. Before Drusilla had a chance to respond, Buffy had her pinned against the ground. "I didn't kill Spike." - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Lost & Found (2/?) Date: 04 Apr 1998 14:59:40 EST Lost & Found 2 Title: Vengeance (2/?) Author: Michelle E-mail: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG-13 = some violence and graphic descriptions, sexual indications. Summary: (you'll just have to read it) Spoilers: Everything up to Killed By Death Feedback: Please, good or bad, I need to know if I suck or not. I won't care if you tell me this story is horrible, I just want to know. This story is a second series following Vengeance. This story may not make sense unless you've read Vengeance. If you want, I can e-mail you the four parts of Vengenace. I don't know how long this one will go on, it will just go until I run out of ideas! The characters of this story belong to Joss, Sandollar, WB, etc. I'm just borrowing them for my stories. This series will answer a lot of the unanswered questions left from Vengeance. PLEASE SEND FEEDBACK!!! Lost & Found (2/?) "What?" Drusilla's voice was faint. Buffy paused for a few minutes as she played her fight with Spike over and over in her head. "I didn't kill him." Buffy seemed relieved to remember what had happened. "You sent Spike to stall me while you and Angel attacked my friends." Buffy got off of Dru and began to walk around to warehouse. "He wanted to kill me himself. He wanted to prove to you that he could do it and Angel couldn't." Drusilla sat up and stared blankly at Angel. "I..." Drusilla started but couldn't finish. "All these years it haunted me, but it always stopped before I killed him. Now I know why." "If you didn't kill him, then where is he?" Angel finally said. Drusilla stood up in anticipation of Buffy's answer. "I convinced him that no matter who killed me, Dru would still love the both of you." Buffy stopped her pacing and turned to walk to Drusilla. "He pulled out a railroad spike, and lunged at me with it. I threw him into a wall and when he landed, I took the spike from his hands. Just as I was about to kill him, he stopped me. 'Don't. Let me go. I'll run away and you'll never see me again.'" Drusilla found a chair and fell into it. "I plunged the spike into his stomach and left." "How do you know he's not dead?" Willow's voice trembled slightly. "I fought him many times, he's too tough to die." "Why didn't you tell me before?" There was almost compassion in Drusilla's voice. "Because I'm not stupid. You already had my friends, and I was in no shape to take you." The room became suddenly quiet. "And she would have killed you anyway," Xander said breaking the silence. "Exactly." Buffy walked up the stairs back to her room. Everyone remained still in a state of shock as she left. When the sun went down the next day, Buffy finally left her room to go feed. When she returned, she found the warehouse abandoned. A note was left on the dining table. Buffy - Gone to find Spike. -Angel To Be continued in Part 3 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Lost & Found (3/?) Date: 04 Apr 1998 15:02:05 EST Lost & Found 3 Title: Vengeance (3/?) Author: Michelle E-mail: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG-13 = violence and graphic descriptions Summary: (you'll just have to read it) Spoilers: Everything up to Killed By Death Feedback: Please, good or bad, I need to know if I suck or not. I won't care if you tell me this story is horrible, I just want to know. This story is a second series following Vengeance. This story may not make sense unless you've read Vengeance. If you want, I can e-mail you the four parts of Vengenace. I don't know how long this one will go on, it will just go until I run out of ideas! The characters of this story belong to Joss, Sandollar, WB, etc. I'm just borrowing them for my stories. This series will answer a lot of the unanswered questions left from Vengeance. PLEASE SEND FEEDBACK!!! Lost & Found (3/?) When Drusilla returned with Willow and Xander from hunting, they found Buffy seated on the ground holding the note tight in her hands. "Buffy, are you alright?" Xander asked as he rushed to her side. She crumpled up the note in her hands. "Fine," she said faintly. Buffy quickly got to her feet and rushed out of the room. Willow watched as she ran up the stairs. "What's up with her?" "I don't know," Xander said as he followed after her. Thoughts were racing through Buffy's head. She couldn't think straight. What had she done? "I've got to stop this," Buffy whispered to herself. A hand touched her shoulder, startling her. "Buffy," he said searching her eyes for what was troubling her. "I have to leave." "What? Where?" "I can't explain. I just have to go." Buffy grabbed some clothes from the closet and shoved them in to a small duffel bag. "Keep an eye on everyone for me. Especially Drusilla," she said as she threw the bag onto the bed. "Buffy, I don't understand." Buffy walked over to the dresser and opened a jewelry box that sat on top. Memories of her love for Angel clouded her thoughts. The claddagh ring he gave her, the necklace. Xander pulled Buffy around to face him, his eyes pleading for an answer. "I care about you, and you know it. Our love for eachother is sickening to vampires." Buffy paused for a moment. "I have to do this and I can't explain. Just make sure that Drusilla stays here. Don't let her come after me." "Where?!?" Buffy broke away from his grasp and retrieved the bag from the bed. She returned to the dresser and took the claddagh ring from it. She admired it for a second before shoving it into a small compartment in the bag. Then she carefully took the cross and put it in as well. "I have to go," Buffy said looking to Xander one last time. She hurried out of the bedroom as Xander watched. When Drusilla's back was turned, Buffy quietly left the warehouse. She hurried to the docking yard and waited. A clear image of the note remained fresh in her mind. She couldn't get rid of it. She knew she had to stop Angel. End Part 3 - Part 4 coming soon. Please send feedback. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Sorry Date: 04 Apr 1998 15:04:41 EST I just sent out the first three parts of Lost & Found and there are probally a lot of editing mistakes. My computer was all wigged!! Just ignor the mistakes. Thanks. -Michelle Author of "The Dark One," "Vengeance," and now "Lost & Found." http://members.aol.com/aglx/main.html - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: GothGirl77 Subject: BUFFYFIC: Memories Of You (1/2) Date: 04 Apr 1998 15:06:42 EST Title: Memories Of You (1/2) Author: Nastassia Email Addy: GothGirl77@aol.com Rating: PG Spoiler: Everything, but mainly Suprise/Innocence Feedback: You know I want it! Distribution: Just ask me first. Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is not mine. Neither are Angel, Xander, Giles, or Willow. The song "I'll Remember" belongs to Madonna, not me. I also used quotes from "Welcome to the Hellmouth" "Lie To Me" "Angel" and "Surprise" Please don't sue me, I'm already a lot in debt from buying this laptop, and I'm still in high school! Summary: Buffy remembers Angel. This is one solution to the problem of Angel's missing soul, though I hope this will not be how it is solved. WARNING: If you don't like sad, melancholy stories then you might want to skip this one. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Well, what can I say, I'm back for more! Fanfic stories based on songs are some of my faves, and I'll probably send out some short ones while I'm working on "Lily". Hope you guys enjoy this. :) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Memories Of You(1/2) by Nastassia Say good-bye to not knowing when The truth in my whole life began Say good-bye to not knowing how to cry You taught me that Buffy stood alone in the graveyard, staring vacently at the place where she had spent most of her nights in the two years she had known him. It seemed to be the best place to say goodbye to him. This was where he had died, after all. This was where she had killed him. The gold Claddagh ring laying on the blackened ground still marked the spot. Buffy wondered absently why no one had stolen it. Part of her wanted to take it with her, to lock it up in some secret place where no one but her could touch it, but it seemed wrong to move the ring. Instead, she left it where it had fallen, a memorial to the only person she would ever love. Her beautiful Angel. And I'll remember the strength that you gave me Now that I'm standing on my own I'll remember the way that you saved me I'll remember A single tear slipped out of Buffy's eye as she recalled what had happened that fateful night. Giles had come to her saying he had found what could be a cure for Angel. A cure that would not only restore his soul, but would also make him human. She had hugged Giles and thanked him more times than she could recall. Buffy had been so cerain that she would have him back by the next morning. 'I was a fool,' she thought. The so-called "cure" had worked. The demon had been driven out of Angel's body. One look in his eyes had told her that. Angel's beautiful dark eyes showed only love, not the hate and malice she had grown used to seeing there. "Buffy." "Angel." They each spoke in a whisper, afraid that maybe this was a wonderful dream, and if they moved or spoke they would wake up. They gazed at each other for what could have been seconds or hours before Buffy ran into his arms. Angel kissed her with a gentle passion, and they held each other, afraid to let go. For a few moments all was right with the world. Inside I was a child That could not mend a broken wing Outside I looked for a way To teach my heart to sing Angel let out a strangeled gasp and fell to his knees. Giles, Willow, and Xander, who had been allowing the two lovers privacy for their reunion, rushed towards them. They found Buffy cradling Angel in her arms, as he coughed and gasped for air. "Buffy, Buffy, I love you. I always will-" "Angel, it'll be okay. Save your strength." "I'm dying. It won't be okay." Angel cried out in pain and shuddered in Buffy's arms. He looked at Giles through dimming eyes. "Thank you," he whispered. Angel turned back to Buffy. He took her hand and held it, their matching rings almost glowing in the moonlight. "Thank you," he repeated. His words faded to nothing as his eyes closed for the final time. "No," Buffy sobbed, denying his fate, even as his body turned to ash in her arms. "No. No, you can't do this to me." Buffy had stayed there, crying over Angel's body until nothing remained of him save the gold ring that fell from her hand onto the dust covered ground. They had won. The demon was dead. They had also failed, by not remembering that the demon was what kept Angel alive for two hundred and forty years. They had killed him, and his last words had been those of thanks. And I'll remember the love that you gave me Now that I'm standing on my own I'll remember the way that you changed me I'll remember - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: GothGirl77 Subject: BUFFYFIC: Memories Of YOu (2/2) Date: 04 Apr 1998 15:18:33 EST Title: Memories of You (2/2) <-----I think I forgot to put this last time Author: Nastassia Email Addy: GothGirl77@aol.com Rating: PG Spoiler: Everything, but mainly Suprise/Innocence Feedback: You know I want it! Distribution: Just ask me first. Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is not mine. Neither are Angel, Xander, Giles, or Willow. The song "I'll Remember" belongs to Madonna, not me. I also used quotes from "Welcome to the Hellmouth" "Lie To Me" "Angel" and "Surprise" Please don't sue me, I'm already a lot in debt from buying this laptop, and I'm still in high school! Summary: Buffy remembers Angel. This is one solution to the problem of Angel's missing soul, though I hope this will not be how it is solved. WARNING: If you don't like sad, melancholy stories then you might want to skip this one. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Memories Of You (2/2) by Nastassia ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ So now Buffy stood where Angel had drawn his last breath and died in her arms. Five years had passed since that night, years filled with grief, tears, and memories. Images from the night they had first met echoed through her mind. "Who are you?" "Let's just say I'm a friend." "And what if I don't want a friend?" "I never said I was yours." The first time she confessed her true feelings to him was never far from her thoughts. "Do you love me?" "What?" "Do you?" "I love you, but I don't know if I trust you." "Maybe you shouldn't do either." Or the night the Three had attacked them, and the next night when they had first kissed. "I live nearby. I was just out walking." "So, you weren't following me? I just had this feeling you were." "Why would I do that?" "You tell me. You're the mystery guy that appears out of nowhere. I'm not saying that I'm not happy about it tonight, but...if you are hanging around I'd like to know why." "Maybe I like you." "Maybe...." Or the night they had shared their love for the first time.......... "I love you. I try not to, but I can't stop." "Me too, I can't either." The memories were all that had gotten Buffy through the last few years. Anytime she got close to breaking down, Buffy thought of Angel-his eyes, his smile, the feeling of his lips on hers. It was all she had left to remember him by, memories, his jacket, the cross he'd given her, and the ring. Buffy had left Sunnydale a month after Angel's death. She had left without a word to anyone, leaving behind notes for her friends and family. The notes had been more of a way of telling herself why she was leaving than explanations to her loved ones. Buffy disappeared into the night, and this was the first time she'd been back in half a decade. I learned to let go of the illusion that we can possess I learned to let go, I travel in stillness And I'll remember happiness I'll remember, I'll remember "I miss you, Angel," she whispered, kneeling down on the grass, "I don't really know why I left Sunnydale. I just couldn't stay. This was the place where the best and worst things in my life hapened. Every place reminded me of you, Angel. When I walked into the Broze, I expected to see you leaning against the wall waiting for me. Or in the library, discussing some wiggy prophecy with Giles. I'd see you outside my window at night. I couldn't even walk down the street without expecting Mr. Cryptic Guy to come up behind me and give me some weird message." Buffy bit her lip and lightly ran her fingers over the ring laying on the grass. "I just had to get away." "I know......" Buffy jumped to her feet. "Angel?" she asked, turning around. "Buffy......" "Please, please let me see you!" "I still love you......" Then there was silence in the night. Buffy was certain it had been Angel, showing her his love in the only way he was able to now. A few more tears escaped from Buffy's eyes. "Don't leave me, Angel," she begged. For the final time the familiar voice whispered, "I will always be with you......" No I've never been afraid to cry Now I finally have a reason why I'll remember, I'll remember "Thank you," she said, "For everything. You gave me the strength to live my life. I'll remember you forever, and I'll never ever stop loving you. You gave me something I thought I could never have because I was the Slayer. You gave me someone to trust and someone to love, even when I didn't deserve it. You made my life worth living, Angel." Without another word Buffy turned and walked away from the cemetary. She walked towards the library, because she knew they would be there. And I'll remember the love that you gave me Now that I'm standing on my own I'll remember the way that you changed me I'll remember *The End* Was it good for you? (Innocence) Nastassia - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC:Star-Cross'd Lovers(1/?) Date: 04 Apr 1998 18:52:50 EST Star-Cross’d Lovers (1/?) by Jaclyn Amy TITLE: Star-Cross’d Lovers AUTHOR: Jaclyn Amy RATING: DISTRIBUTION: Ask me first. SPOILERS: None. SUMMARY: Angel is Angelus and has killed Ms. Calendar. Pretty much, this just shows how strong Angel’s and Buffy’s love is. Oh, and this isn’t your regular restoration story. This gets sad, so if you are not into that kind of thing, don’t read it. DISCLAIMER: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It is owned by Joss Wheden, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, 20th Century Fox, etc. No infringement intended. FEEDBACK: Please. Star-Cross’d Lovers (1/?) For days, Buffy just cried; not wanting to live, unwilling to die. The two most important people in her life were murdered, and nothing could change that. Not finding a new love, not devoting her life to avenging their deaths, not even bringing Angel back. Being suicidal, she had purchased a gun. She had promised herself that if she let everyone perish, she would murder herself. In misery, Buffy grieved alone in her room, with the gun. Willow and Xander had tried to visit, but she wouldn’t let them in. "Buffy, please, open up!" Willow cried. "I have important news." Finally, Buffy let her friend inside. "What?" "It’s Cordelia." "What about her?" Tears started to shed from Willow’s already tear-stained face. "Buffy, she was turned to a vampire last night." "What!?" "That’s," she sniffled,"that’s not the worst part. After she changed, she, she, she…" "Willow, what is it?" "She murdered Xander!" Buffy embraced Willow, and they stood there, crying together, for a while. Willow finally left and wandered the streets. Confused, angry, hurt, she went to look for Angelus to stake him. She was successful in finding him, but not in killing him. He overpowered her greatly and killed her quickly. *** Buffy was not expecting the call that she would receive the next day. She had now lost everything: her friends, her family, her love. She grabbed the gun and was about to pull the trigger when Willow’s parents called. Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberg had asked Buffy to take Willow’s belongings since they were so close. Before going to the house, she locked her gun in her desk drawer and put the key on the nightstand. With a heavy heart, she searched through her computer files. One of the documenets sounded interesting to her, so she opened it. "The Restoration Ceremony." //Ohmigod// she thought. //Maybe I haven’t lost my love…// End Part 1 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Sarah Douglas Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Cure" (2/14) Date: 04 Apr 1998 23:11:38 DISCLAIMER: I don't own Buffy or any of the other wonderful characters in the Buffyverse. I am using them without the permission of the people who do own them who are not going to sue me because I am not making any money off this. Joss Whedon, WB, Mutant Enemy, Kusui and Sandollar own the Buffy characters. DISTRIBUTION: Just ask. RATING: Probably PG FEEDBACK: I would love to know what you all think of this. Please send me feedback. Pretty please. SUMMARY: Okay, well this takes place while Ms. Calendar is still alive, but Angel is evil, so probably Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. It's another "Angel gets his soul back" story which I wrote to convince myself that Angel could be good again. It's kind of long and I'm sorry about that you all. Well, enough with the talk, on with the show. AUTHOR'S MESSAGE: Okay, I'm sorry it took me so long to send this next part out, but due to school work, buffyfic and willowfic piled up in huge stacks in my box, and I've been working very hard to do all my school work and read fic because I want to read the fic and I don't want to do my homework. SPECIAL THANKS: Special thanks goes out to Angellov for pumping up my ego after I sent this in. ONE LAST THING: A while ago I think I promised to be someones beta reader, but I don't remember who it was and I lost the story. To whomever it was, I'm very, very sorry and if you still want me to read your story I'd be glad to. I promise not to lose it this time. Okay, on with the show. The Cure (2/14) Buffy sat in class staring blankly at the pecil she was twirling. "Ms. Summers, could you answer that?" the teacher's voice said. Buffy continued to stare blankly. "Ms. Summers!" the teacher's voice broke into Buffy's thoughts. "Excuse me, what?" Buffy replied, coming back to reality with a jolt. "Ms. Summers, please speak to me after class. And pay attention." Buffy nodded and slumped back in her chair. She payed token attention for the rest of the class. Finally, the bell rang. Buffy sighed and got up. "I'll wait for you," Xander said. Buffy smiled gratefully. "Buffy, I've noticed you haven't been paying attention in class recently. What's going on?" the teacher asked. "I'm really sorry I haven't been paying attention, I've just been dealing with a lot of stuff recently. It's just been kind of overwhelming. I'll try harder to pay attention," Buffy replied. "Okay Buffy, do that. You can go." Buffy gratefully left the room. "You okay Buff?" Xander asked as Buffy came into the hall. She sighed and Xander gave her a hug. "Come on, Giles is waiting for us." *************** The bell jolted Jenny Calendar back to reality. Seh quickly dismissed the class and gathered together all her stuff. When she looked at the doorway, she saw Rupert. her heart sang with joy at the thought that they were going to be friends again. She walked towards him and he walked towards her. "Giles! What's wrong?" Willow asked from behind Jenny. <> Jenny thought, sighing. "Willow, I need you to come with me," Giles said. He and Willow hurried out of the room, not saying a word to Jenny. << Now I *really* have to bring Angel back.>> ************** Willow and Giles were just sitting down as Buffy and Xander came in. "Hi Giles!" Buffy greeted. " Her G-man," Xander said "Hello Buffy, Xander. We have a problem," Giles replied. "Of course we do. We live on the Hellmouth. So, what new delight has the Hellmouth dropped in out laps?" Buffy asked. "Well, it's not the Hellmouth precisely. We all know that Angel has made Buffy his target, and since he wants to hurt her, that makes all of us targets. I need to know who ever invited him into their homes," Giles explained. "No sweat, G-man. I never invited dead-boy in," Xander said. "That's good. What about the two of you?" Giles asked. "Does the word *duh* mean anything to you Giles? Of course I've invited him in. Why?" Buffy responded. "Well, as I'm sure you all realize, a vampire can't come in unless they're invited. Which is a good defense, until they've been invited in because then they can come in whenever they want. So, if Angel is targeting Buffy, being invited into any of our houses gives him a big advantage. But if he's only been invited into Buffy's house, we'll be okay," Giles explained. Willow paled. "Ummmm . . .Giles, I've invited Angel in," Willow said quietly. "You've what?! Oh dear, this really is a problem. How are we going to protect Willow?" ************* As Angel fell asleep he thought <> End part 2 What did you think? Send comments good, bad, whatever to sdouglas@camfordinfo.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (4/?) by Ingrid Date: 05 Apr 1998 09:47:11 -0400 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Angel, Buffy, Cordelia Willow, Xander, Jenny, Giles & company are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: Welcome to my new story. This one might be a tad difficult to understand at first, since it takes place ten years into the future, and I’m not telling you what’s happened in advance. I’m going to reveal that as time goes on in the story. I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. If you don’t get this, that’s because you haven’t read the other parts. If you want to get this, ask me for it! ********* "Reunion," by Ingrid Part Four: "Good Morning" ********* It was early the next day when he heard a pounding on the door and practically bolted up in bed. Only Cordelia’s iron grip stopped him. She was holding on tight, the way she always had and probably always would. Cordelia was the type that wouldn’t let you get away, he thought. Not that he wanted to. He shook her a little by the shoulder, and she simply shifted in closer, mumbling something about not wanting to wake the Latin people. "Cordy." "What? Too early. Talk later. Sleep now." She turned over again. The pounding grew louder. It seemed to be shaking the house. "Forget it. I’ll let her in." He artfully slipped out of her arms and grabbed his bathrobe on the way out. Padding out into the living room, he turned on the coffee maker and crossed again to open the door. A thirteen-year old girl stood outside the door, looking way too worried for a thirteen-year old girl. It was hard to believe her capable of creating such a racket. She was scrawny, with a head that seemed too large for her tiny neck. "Hi, Corin." "Hi, Mr. Harris." Her voice was quiet, and barely audible. He had to strain to keep from rolling his eyes. "Come on in." He paused, wondering if he should even bother. He decided to try, anyway. "Corin?" "Yes?" "You can call us by our first names, you know." "Okay, Mr.… uhh… Xander, then," she chirped. A sparrow, that’s what she was, he thought. "Catching on." He smiled, and she simply stood there with a serious expression on her face. He wondered if she’d even caught the sarcasm in his voice. Probably. She was genius intellectually, but her non-existent sense of humor really frightened him. She faced everything with a permanent gravity that seemed as fixed a part of her face as her eyes or her mouth. "Cordelia is asleep, but I guess I didn’t need to tell you that, did I?" She remained silent. "Okay. Just hold on. You can get yourself something to eat or drink. You know where everything is, right?" She nodded, but didn’t make a move. Before returning to the bedroom, he glanced backwards to see her awkwardly standing in the middle of the living room. She was sweet, but everything that girl did was awkward. It was hard to believe she could be a vampire slayer. *** He rushed to Cordelia’s side when he saw her twisted form on the bed. She was tangled in the sheets, writhing in pain. Her eyes were closed, but her face was a mask of grief. Her statuesque figure disappeared, and in an instant she was small and weak. Endeavoring to end her unknown suffering, he shook her gently. "Cordelia," he whispered, even as his heart constricted. Just a dream, he reminded himself, and her eyes fluttered open. "Xander?" She looked confused, as if she didn’t believe he was standing in front of her. "Cordelia, Corin’s here." "What?" "She’s here. She just got here. Are you okay?" "I don’t know," she replied, holding her head. "I think I just had one of the dreams." She sat still for a moment. "It was like the dream Corin described, but somehow different." "How?" "It was worse." *** END, PART 4. Comments? Questions? Write to me at Ingrid29@juno.com. Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return to Normalcy," "One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a Chance," "Tragic Sighs" and "Footsteps." _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC:StarCross'd Lovers(2/5) Date: 05 Apr 1998 09:52:23 EDT Star-Cross’d Lovers (2/5) by Jaclyn Amy TITLE: Star-Cross’d Lovers AUTHOR: Jaclyn Amy RATING: PG DISTRIBUTION: Ask me first. SPOILERS: None. SUMMARY: Angel is Angelus and has killed Ms. Calendar. Pretty much, this just shows how strong Angel’s and Buffy’s love is. Oh, and this isn’t your regular restoration story. This gets sad, so if you are not into that kind of thing, don’t read it. DISCLAIMER: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It is owned by Joss Wheden, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, 20th Century Fox, etc. No infringement intended. FEEDBACK: Please. Star-Cross’d Lovers(2/5) Buffy bravely lured Angelus to the library where she was going to perform the Restoration Ceremony. She had evreything she needed: a Thesselan Orb, Angelus, and a copy of the spell. "Well, well, well. I see you’ve decorated for me," Angelus sneered. "Y’like? I picked it out all by myself." "I hope you like my little presents. I made sure to give the very best." With that, she reached for a stake, but stopped herself. Instead, she started chanting the spell. Angelus fell to the ground in emense pain. "I’m gonna kill you, you little bitch!" But he couldn’t move. His body started to sting all over, and he shrieked. Suddenly, the pain stopped, and he was perfectly fine. "Buffy?" he whispered. He stood up and turned to see her. He quickly grabbed and held her. She leaned up and looked in his eyes. "Angel?" It was more of a statement than a question. He, too, looked in her eyes and was aghast at what he saw. Those weren’t the eyes of the Buffy he knew, but the eyes of someone emensely in agony. Memories flooded his mind. He had murdered them all, and it had killed Buffy. He couldn’t take it back. How could he even say he’s sorry and expect for her to understand. "Buffy, I’m…" "Angel, don’t. It isn’t your fault." Tears started falling down her face: tears of joy, tears of sadness, tears of anger. "Angel, Angelus was the one who did this; not you. You are in no way responsible; I am. But now he’s gone forever. You’re human, Angel. We’re just going to have to move on." But the look on her face told him that she was still hurting. "Buffy, I love you. I don’t regret making love to you, only the consequenses that follow. Don’t believe a word he said, ‘cause none of it’s true. You were terrific. Buffy-" "Just hold me." And he did just that. Together, they cried and cried. Finally, Angel let go. "I have a decision to make." "What are you talking about?" "When you are a true human and the demon is completely gone, you have a decision to make. You have two choices: One, you can start off at the age you died at and live a normal life. Or-" "Yes." "It’s not that simple, Buff. The other choice is to let all those you have murdered since the last full moon live, and you will perish, as if you weren’t a vampire. I have one day to make the decision. If I choose to live, we must perform this ceromony again. If I don’t, I will die, and Giles and Xander and Willow and Cordelia and your mom will be restored. Buffy, I want you to make the decision." "I, I can’t do that. I can’t choose between you and them." "Buffy, you have one day, and if you can’t make your mind up, the choice will be made for you. Is it me, your love, or them, your friends and relatives?" End Part 2 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (5/?) by Ingrid Date: 05 Apr 1998 11:40:34 -0400 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Angel, Buffy, Cordy Willow, Xander, Jenny, Giles & company are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: Welcome to my new story. This one might be a tad difficult to understand at first, since it takes place ten years into the future, and I’m not telling you what’s happened in advance. I’m going to reveal that as time goes on in the story. I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. If you don’t get this, that’s because you haven’t read the other parts. If you want to get this, ask me for it! ********* "Reunion," by Ingrid Part Five: "Peace" ********* It was raining again. The silver drops slipped along the window, merging and descending to the bottom. He watched idly, his mind somewhere far away as he sipped the tea. He grimaced. It had become cold while he’d been sitting. There was nothing to do today. Stores were closed, and the world froze with Sunday’s passage. Everything was still. At peace. Far outside it was cool, and the ground swelled with the sky’s moisture. The soft pattering on the window accompanied the silence in a monotonous symphony. Everything seemed monotonous now. A tea-bag. The rain. Getting up. Getting dressed. The worst by far was thinking. Thinking led to remembering, and more than anything, Rupert Giles wanted to forget. His objection to the dullness of everyday life was not so much the dullness in itself, but rather the way it made you think about other, more exciting times. If only something different would happen so he didn’t have to think about any of them. He could still see the young woman’s face on the last day. She’d been so happy. After all these years, she was finally free. She’d done the impossible, which meant that he’d done his job better than any of his predecessors. That’s what it was supposed to mean, at least. Then there’d been the dark-haired man behind her who’d still seemed out of place in the light of day. Giles hadn’t been able to bring himself to look at his face. The relief didn’t hit him until after the mumbled goodbye and the plane ride back to England. It hit him as he limped from the London airport and reached the old family house. That’s when he’d finally understood that it was over. And it was only a few days more when he’d realized he couldn’t stay with his family. This was his retreat. No guests, no phone calls, and only the occasional letter. He was alone, except for the ghosts. They came in dreams, rather, nightmares. Painful visions of the only woman he’d ever loved. Her graying body sprinkled with rose petals. That horrible opera. Then the little red-haired hacker, helplessly clutching her killer’s neck; falling. The funeral procession. The bodies combined into a nameless victim with a thousand faces. Dirt settling on top of the lacquered wood. The phone’s shrill sound ripped through his reverie, jolting him awake. It took him three rings before he’d recovered enough to answer. "Hello?" "Giles? It’s Buffy. I need your help." ***** END, PART 5. Comments? Questions? Write to me at Ingrid29@juno.com. Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return to Normalcy," "One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a Chance," "Tragic Sighs" and "Footsteps." _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Tracy Cain" Subject: BUFFYFIC: The Third Child: (1/?) Date: 05 Apr 1998 08:46:08 PDT Name: The Third Child Author: Rihanon Address: Rihanon@hotmail.com Feedback: This is my first story, so please share! Good? Bad? Ugly? I crave this information!!!!!!!! Distribution: Anya can have it, anyone else who wants it can e-mail me and ask. I'll say yes, but please ask first. Summary: Spike has a plot. (So what else is new?) Spoilers: uh- What's My Line? Definitely before S/I, though. Disclaimer: In no way am I creative enough to come up with the characters used in this story. If you recognize anything, it's not mine, and belongs to the evil Joss. Warnings: This part's not too bad, some violence, later parts will be worse, depending on your point of view. Rating: PG, I think. Maybe PG-13, I'm a really bad judge of this. ****************** The Third Child: (1/?) By Rihanon ****************** Buffy pushed a rebellious strand of hair out of her face as she knocked on the door. It was soon opened, and she felt her heart begin to pound as she gazed at his face. Angel moved to the side to allow her to enter, and she smiled as she brushed past him. "Hey." "Hey. You're here early," he observed. She shrugged. "I missed you." "You were here last night." "So?" He laughed, low in his throat, as he pulled her into his arms. "I missed you too," he murmured softly as he bent down to kiss her. The Slayer shivered at the taste of his lips as she melted into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him even closer. She loved the feel of his arms around her, the hard muscles of his chest and shoulders gently cradling her body. He inhaled the scent of her hair as he savored the kiss, his hands sliding across her back, caressing her slender body. Buffy pulled away slightly, gasping for breath, before claiming his mouth again. Eventually, she broke it off, sighing lightly. "I hate to say this, but I promised Giles I'd hunt tonight, to make up for missing so much time recently." He smiled that small subdued smile of his that she loved. "All right. Stop by again tomorrow?" "Like anything could keep me away." ***************************************************** "Giles," Buffy called out as she entered the library next morning. "Oh, there you are Buffy," said the librarian coming out from behind a stack of books, "How did hunting go last night?" "That's the weird thing. I made a pass of all the usual vampy haunts after I left Angel's, but I didn't see one. That's the second night in a row; it's like they're in hibernation or something." "Ummm, yes. That is rather odd." "Could it be because of Spike and Drucilla getting killed?" "I rather doubt it. The death of their leaders would have caused the local vampires to become both demoralized and rather disorganized, but I can't imagine them all going into hiding." "Well," she began, turning as the library doors opened. "Hi, Will, Xander." "Hi Buff," he said. "Slay any interesting vampires last night?" "No, the only one I even saw was Angel." "So, I repeat: slay any interesting vampires last night?" "Xander!" Willow exclaimed in exasperation. "Of course not." The bell rang, and Buffy looked up in irritation. "Oh crap, I'd better get to class; Snyder's really been on my case lately." "Yes, yes, of course," Giles muttered. "Stop by after school, and I'll, um, see if I can find an explanation for last night's aberration." "Will do. See you guys." "So, Giles, any luck?" she asked as she dropped her books on the table. "Actually, no; I admit, I'm quite baffled. Everything I read indicated that the only reason a whole town of vampires might, uh, ‘stay in' as it were, is that a strong leader is compelling them to do so. And we know that their leader was Spike." "Well, is it possible that they have a new leader?" "Possible, but highly unlikely. There were no other vampires in town that the others feared enough to follow, and I would think that we would have heard if anyone new had shown up. I have no idea what's going on." "So that's it? ‘Sorry, wait and see what tries to kill you next,' that's all you have for me?" "Buffy, I'm sorry. Have you spoken to Angel about all this?" "No, but I'll ask him tonight when I see him." "Yes, and let me know tomorrow if he had any insights into our dilemma." ***************************************************** Buffy walked through the graveyard, deep in thought. Still no vampires, and that lack was really making her nervous. On the surface it appeared to be a good thing, but she just *knew* they were up to something. Determinately she pushed her worries out of her mind, letting her thoughts wander. Angel... They always wandered to the same place anyway. She loved him, she was finally accepting that, but that thought caused another worry to flit through her mind. Her thoughts were interrupted as a chill feeling of evil slid across her skin. Disturbed, she whirled around trying to pinpoint the source. She heard air rushing over something as it hurtled towards her, and she threw herself to the ground. Claws rent the air where she had stood a moment before. As Buffy looked up, she saw a creature straight out of her worst nightmares. Leathery wings beat through the night as it wheeled to face her, looking like some kind of devil straight out of scripture. The creature lunged at her, it's claws raking her shoulder. She screamed as desperately she tried to bring her stake up. She finally managed to raise her stake, pitiful against this *thing* but the only weapon she had. As she felt blackness descend around her, she rammed the stake home with the last of her strength. She smelled sulfur and heard a distant scream as she fell to the ground, blood pouring from her shoulder, arm and chest. Behind her she heard derisive, mocking laughter. "My, my, it appears the little Slayer can barely handle a small hate-wraith. If such as *you* can give Spike so much trouble, it's a wonder he's still alive."A tall, slender vampire, his long dark hair framing violet eyes, walked languidly into her field of view. "If that's the best you can do, this won't be nearly as entertaining as I had hoped." He shrugged, "Oh well, it's not as though you're my actual target." Reaching down, he took hold of her hair, and, with a casual strength, dragged her to her feet. "I want you to deliver a message to Angelus, little Slayer; can you do that?" he inquired, giving her a rough shake. Buffy whimpered involuntarily in pain as the motion jarred her wounds. "Good. Tell him that Rasitin is in town, and that it's payback time. I'm going to show him how well I learned his lessons, and before I'm done- he'll beg to die. Maybe if he's very lucky, I'll leave you out of it." He laughed again as he released her. "Be a good girl, and hurry up now," he called after her as she stumbled away towards Angel's. ***************************************************** I think this part was rather cliched, if so forgive me. And if you're wondering who Rasitin is, you have to wait until part 2 to find out. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: BUFFYFIC: Chronicles (5/?) Date: 05 Apr 1998 11:30:29 -0700 My Chronicle #5 is too long, it keeps on bouncing, so if anyone would like to read it, it can be found at my friend's site: http://www.bfree.on.ca/ppages/trish/ Hope that URL works. Taygeta _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Clare H." Subject: BUFFYFIC: Universe of Love (1/1) Date: 05 Apr 1998 14:32:35 EDT Title: Universe of Love (1/1) Author: Clare H. Distribution: Ask first Feedback: Sure, it’s my first fanfic, so it’s probably bad. Please send me constructive criticism instead of flames though... Summary: A Buffy/Angel confrontation Disclaimer: The characters and ideas of Buffy the Vampire Slayer belong to Josh Whedon and the WB and a lot of other people, all of whom are not me. There was no copyright infringement intended. The song lyrics are from Savage Garden’s song “Universe” and that also is not mine. Rating: PG? There is nothing that we wouldn’t see on the show... Spoiler: The only thing it really relates to is Surprise/Innocence. It takes place after Killed by Death though... Notes: This is a scene I imagined for next season. If it happens, I just guessed. It’s really sappy, so if you hate sappy love stories and are looking for gory battles, skip this story. Oh, this {~~~} means we’re moving to another person/pair of people, and indented stuff is song quotes. I'm working on a prequel, but it isn't very far along so don't expect it for quite a quile... Buffy sat alone at her favorite spot in the Bronze. She came with the gang to celebrate the last day before school started. While Will and Oz danced and Cordy and Xander made-out, she thought. She was thinking about what the next week would include; training with Giles, getting settled into a new routine of classes and teachers to hate. It dawned on her that she was a senior, she and her friends would pick out collages...could a slayer *go* to collage? She added that to her list of things to ask Giles. As Buffy sipped her café latté, a song that she was unfamiliar with came on. As she listened, the words seemed to reflect that night she shared with Angel, less that six months ago... Well I’d like to take you as I find you Imagine our clothes are on the floor Feel my caress so soft and gentle So delicate you cry for more So much had happened since then... So much had happened since last night. Buffy had saved the world from doom, not to mention her friends lives and her own from the person she loved most. Her ex-guardian, Angel. She lied to her friends when she said she was ready to kill him. The pain of watching him turn to dust before her was just too much to bear. So she let him go numerous times, until last night... ~~~ But you know baby You know baby does it right And you know baby does it right Universe inside of your heart You gotta let me know so you can be free baby You wanted it so much and now that it’s over You don’t know what you want Angel stared across the room thinking practically the same things. Why did she let me get away with the things I did? Why didn’t she kill me? Now that the demon was gone, he had even more guilt to bear. He had hurt the one thing he had ever loved, that loved him and accepted him, the dark side, as well as the light. He had destroyed her, piece by piece, until she was groveling at his feet, begging him to kill her. What have I done to her? was the first question he asked himself after his soul got restored. Why? was the immediate second. She had cured him, finally, after months of torture for herself. Now he wondered if she wanted him back. Put time in a capsule Two minds consensual Entwined to perfection If we could... “Dance?” Angel said as he sneaked up behind Buffy, so as not to let her get away. “We *need* to talk.” “Yeah,” was Buffy’s only answer. Angel noticed she looked exhausted, and asked her about it. Instead of a witty quip, as he was expecting for a response, about how if you save the world you’re entitled to look sleepy, he received another nod. “Do you want me to leave?” he asked. “Because I will, if you’re uncomfortable with me and all. You *were* trying to kill me 24 hours ago...” He continued as he thought ‘Great, I’m babbling. I have never babbled in my life. Boy I must sound like an idiot.’ Buffy had never seen him like this, rambling like a nervous 13 year-old asking out a girl for the first time. “If you want to go, I’ll understand,” he finally finished. “Angel, for the past six months this is all I’ve wanted to do. I’m in so much shock that my brain is telling me to hold you and kiss you and make sure you aren’t an illusion. The part of me that normally says “Angel’s bad, kill him.” is still malfunctioning, so please, before I regain my senses, let’s have this one dance.” Angel replied by pulling her closer “I’m just so sorry...” Cuddle up close Lay on my chest now Listen my heart beat’s coming down If you get tired you close your eyes now When you wake up I won’t be found ‘Cause I know baby I know your the nervous kind With so much going on in your mind ~~~ As the couple danced, Xander looked on disgustedly. “Well look at them,” he whispered to Cordelia. “Could they get *any* closer?!?” “Or happier? Come on Xander, you know this is what Buffy wants...anyway they’re not much closer than we are.” “Yeah, but I wasn’t a blood thirsty demon 24 hours ago.” “Xander, you’re being unfair, and you know it. You know how much she loves him,” and as they looked over they saw them. As close as possible, fitting perfectly. Universe inside of your heart You gotta let me know so you can be free baby You wanted it so much and now that it’s over You don’t know what you want ~~~ “Wow,” commented Oz. “You all knew Angel as a good guy first, so it must look normal, or something...that they’re dancing, I mean. For me, it’s like ‘whoa, Buffy’s double crossing us?’ ‘cuz the second time I saw him, he was already messing with Buffy’s mind.” “Well, it’s weird for me too. Last night his fangs were practically in my neck. That kinda changes how you look at a person.” But let me tell you that, this time I’m going to make you mine (I’m going to make you mine) ‘Cause I know, this time I’m going to make sure I look out for me ~~~ “I wish I was sure that the curse was irreversible. Maybe, after tonight, I should leave town...that way if the curse *was* broken, I couldn’t hurt you...” Buffy could have sworn she saw a tear roll down his cheek. “Angel, it’s okay. I’m fine. You didn’t drive me totally insane like Dru and you only killed Ms. Calender. I admit it was a terrible thing, but it wasn’t *you* doing it. If you were around to see how I was treating her for not telling me...us... about the restrictions of the curse, you would have been *so* disappointed...” “I could never be disappointed in you, Buffy. You defeated what some watchers and slayers called the worst vampire in history...me. If I could take back everything I did to you, but then I’d have to die and live in hell, just knowing that you didn’t have *any* hard feelings for me would make it worth while. I’d do it, Buffy, because...I love you...with all my heart and soul, and...” “Shh...” Buffy whispered, while tears stained her face. Before he started talking again she went up and kissed him, for the first time in ages. Once the kiss was over she leaned over and murmured in his ear, “I love you too.” She pulled him down as Angel pulled her up and kissed him again. ‘Cause you know baby Well you know baby does it right And you know baby does it right You will only end up lost in loneliness And wake up with the words already on your lips So I’ll let you go, baby So I’ll let you go... Instead of starting, or deepening the kisses, as he did before he changed, he was reluctant. Almost not wanting to kiss Buffy. As he pulled away from her, so she could breathe, he asked, “Are you sure, this is smart?” “You not kissing me. Damnit, *that’s* what isn’t smart,” she murmured again. “But...” “Angel, do you want me to go slayer on you? My ‘angry’ emotion has gotten a whole lot more vivid since the last time you saw it.” “Well then, I suppose I don’t.” “So I suppose you should kiss me now.” “I suppose I should...” Universe inside of your heart You gotta let me know so you can be free baby You wanted it so much and now that it’s over You don’t know what you want Buffy realized that her similarity with the song had ended before that last line was sung. She *did* know what she wanted, now that her reunion with Angel was over...She wanted to be with him, in his arms, forever. As the song ended they stood in an embrace knowing there was a universe of love in both their hearts. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: BUFFYFIC: My Moira (1/?) Date: 05 Apr 1998 11:48:30 -0700 Title: My Moira (1/?) Author: Taygeta E-mail: Taygeta@juno.com Feedback: It's new and I really need the thoughts, so please send. Distribution: Anywhere you think appropriate, but please tell me first. Spoiler: Not really Description: Twenty years into the future, 'nuff said. Disclaimer: The Buffy characters portrayed in this story and any other references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the property of its creater Joss Whedon, and its owners Mutant Enemy productions, Kuzui Productions, Sandollar Productions, and 20th Century Fox. Rating: PG, just kissing. ****************************** My Moira (1/?) By: Taygeta "Xander...oh, Xander," a coquettish voice said calling Alexander "Xander" Harris out of his deep slumber. He opened his eyes slowly, and they met the most beautiful sight...his wife. "Hey," Xander said softly as a smile appeared upon her face. "Hey, yourself," she said as she lightly kissed face; his forehead, his brow, his cheek, and just when she was about to reach his lips, she made a move to jump out of bed. "Not so fast," Xander said with a laugh as he grabbed her waist gently and then hushed her giggling lips with his. "I'd say get a room, but this is your room. So, I'm going to say get a room and close the door," retorted fifteen-year-old Moira Willow Harris leaning against the doorframe of her parents' bedroom. Xander coughed slightly as he let go of his wife, who was noticeable turning pinkish, despite the fact that their daughter had seen them in their passionate moments for more times than she liked to admit. Moira saw her mother kiss her father on the cheek gently before she got out of bed and walked to the door with a sigh. She looked at Moira with a smile, a shake of her head, and then said, "Just my luck, my daughter gets my husband's sense of humor," and she kissed her daughter and walked out of the door. "Moira, you also got my bad timing," said Xander with a yawn, causing Moira rolled her eyes, and close the door to let her dad sleep. Xander lay back on his pillows, but didn't fall asleep. He thought about how everything had changed since they had closed the Hellmouth twenty years ago. Everything was decidedly peaceful and there were no more vampires to slay or creatures of the night and day to fight, just the normal ones. He sighed in content, for the last few years, he had lived in peace and happiness that he had never known could exist. He found it everyday in his daughter, in his life, and in the love of his life...Buffy Summers. _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Sarah Douglas Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Cure" (3/14) Date: 05 Apr 1998 16:47:52 DISCLAIMER: I don't own Buffy or any of the other wonderful characters in the Buffyverse. I am using them without the permission of the people who do own them who are not going to sue me because I am not making any money off this. Joss Whedon, WB, Mutant Enemy, Kusui and Sandollar own the Buffy characters. DISTRIBUTION: Just ask. RATING: Probably PG FEEDBACK: I would love to know what you all think of this. Please send me feedback. Pretty please. SUMMARY: Okay, well this takes place while Ms. Calendar is still alive, but Angel is evil, so probably Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. It's another "Angel gets his soul back" story which I wrote to convince myself that Angel could be good again. It's kind of long and I'm sorry about that you all. Well, enough with the talk, on with the show. AUTHOR'S MESSAGE: I'm looking for spoilers for the last few eps this season. If anyone knows some or where I can find some, I would really appriciate knowing. On with the show The Cure (3/14) Giles was sitting at the table, rubbing his temples. Willow sat across form him looking pale and worried. Xander sat next to her with his arm around her, as if trying to protect her. He was bitting his lower lip, looking off as if trying to come up with a plan. Buffy came in from Giles' office with two cups of tea. She put one in front of Giles and the other in front of Willow. "Okay, we need a plan. My mom is in New York, looking for new paintings so I have no problem moving in with Willow and protecting her," Buffy suggested, taking charge of the group. "My mom's at a conference and my dad's still on a business trip, so I'm on my own," Willow spoke up. "That's good luck," Buffy said. "Yes, it is, but we have to get you out right away. After school, I want both of you, go together, to go home, pack a bag and meet back here. Go quickly, I want everyting done before sunset," Giles instructed. Buffy and Willow nodded in agreement. Giles smiled in return and sipped his tea. ***************** Jenny Calendar had been searching the web, e-mailing her friends and trying whatever she could think of to figure out what to do to give Angel back his soul. Now, she leaned back in her chair and sipped her coffee. She looked around the classroom, realizing that she didn't know what had happened in any of her classes. She decided she should see what was going on. She walked around and asked her students what they were doing and if they had any problems. As she was talking with a student, suddenly she figured out who could help her. <> she realized. Jenny continued discussing things with her students until the bell finally rang. She dismissed her class and hurried to the phone in her office. She punched in the number they had given her "for emergincies only." She waited and it rang once, twice, then: "Hello?" "Hi, it's Janna." ***************** The final bell rang and Buffy and Willow headed for their lockers. They dropped off their stuff and headed out. They walked along together toward Willow's house. Willow looked over at Buffy, who looked a little upset. "Buffy, are you okay?" Willow asked. "Yeah, I'm fine, it's just . . .well, . . ." Buffy trailed off, trying to smile. Willow waited for Buffy to continue. "It's just, a few weeks ago, Angel was my refuge, my safe haven. I trusted him completely. I felt completely safe with him. Now, my best friend and I have to pack ourselves some bags and get out of our homes because Angel is such a threat to us." "Oh, Buffy," Willow said and gave her best friend a hug. Buffy started crying and Willow put her arm around Buffy. When Buffy regained her composure, the two carried on. *************** After class, Xander tried to find Buffy and Willow before they left. After looking for ten minutes, her decided that he'd missed them and went to the library. "Buffy?" Giles called out when he heard the door close behind Xander. "Nope Giles, it's me." "Oh, hello Xander." "What's up, G-man?" "I've been researching Angel's patterns from before he was cursed with his soul. It's rather disturbing actually." "Why?" "Well, when most vampires pick a special victim, they attack them, sometimes torture them, then feed on them and often make them vampires. Angel, on the other hand. . . well, when he picks a special victim, it's usually a young, beautiful woman, he drives them insane. He kills off everyone they care about one by one, often spacing them a week or two apart. He plays mind games with them. He'll torture someone his victim loves right in front of them, and then feed off them. Once Angel's killed off everyone close to his victim he *finally* feeds off them." "Oh no. Oh no. Okay, he's big on the mean nasty, hurtful part, but Buffy's the Slayer. She has some built in protection system, right?" "Ordinarily, yes, but Angel's something of a unique circumstance." "A Slayer's never been in love with a vampire before." "There's never been a vampire with a soul before. And I'm sure that Buffy will eventually be able to do what needs to be done. At any rate, I want to keep Willow where Angel can't get to her." "Good, I want to keep Willow out of harm's way." End part 3 What did you think? E-mail comments to me at sdouglas@camfordinfo.com Big hug to all who have sent feedback so far. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC:Star-Cross'd Lovers(3/5) Date: 05 Apr 1998 17:20:33 EDT Star-Cross’d Lovers (3/5) by Jaclyn Amy TITLE: Star-Cross’d Lovers AUTHOR: Jaclyn Amy RATING: PG DISTRIBUTION: Ask me first. SPOILERS: None. SUMMARY: Angel is Angelus and has killed Ms. Calendar. Pretty much, this just shows how strong Angel’s and Buffy’s love is. Oh, and this isn’t your regular restoration story. This gets sad, so if you are not into that kind of thing, don’t read it. DISCLAIMER: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It is owned by Joss Wheden, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, 20th Century Fox, etc. No infringement intended. FEEDBACK: Please. Star-Cross’d Lovers(3/5) //I’m sorry, Angel, but I’ve decided that you have to die. No, no, no! That’s way to strong. God, how do you tell someone that you choose someone else to live over them!// Buffy stayed in bed as she practiced silently to herself. "Something wrong, Buffy?" Angel asked. He slipped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. They had spent one passionate night together, now that he was human. She lied, "No, nothing." He moved over to the side of the bed and put on his boxers. "Where are you going?" "I’ve got to go since it is morning. We only have twelve hours left." "Don’t go. It’s not day. It’s merely a meteor or something. Stay with me. Give me yourself again." "You’re right. God, in heaven, keep me here, for I am content to do so. Let me die here; Buffy wills it so." "No, no. It is day, not night. Go, go. Do what ever you have to do." "Buffy, what have you decided?" "I’m sorry; I’m so, so sorry. Angel, you mean the world to me. But the world needs Giles to train me. Without him, I wouldn’t be here to protect anyone from the vampires." "Buffy, don’t be sorry. You made the right decision." "Are you so sure? I mean, I lost you once, but I knew there was a possibility of bringing you back. This is forever. I don’t know if I could deal with that." Tears started to stream down her face. "I can’t live without you." "You’ll go on and be prosperous. I won’t let anything hurt you, okay? C’mon, we have to go." The two went to the graveyard and brought the bodies of Giles, Willow, Xander, Cordelia, and Mrs. Summer’s to the house. All they could do was wait. End Part 3/5 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC:Star-Cross'd Lovers(4/5) Date: 05 Apr 1998 18:09:45 EDT Star-Cross’d Lovers (4/5) by Jaclyn Amy TITLE: Star-Cross’d Lovers AUTHOR: Jaclyn Amy RATING: PG DISTRIBUTION: Ask me first. SPOILERS: None. SUMMARY: Angel is Angelus and has killed Ms. Calendar. Pretty much, this just shows how strong Angel’s and Buffy’s love is. Oh, and this isn’t your regular restoration story. This gets sad, so if you are not into that kind of thing, don’t read it. DISCLAIMER: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It is owned by Joss Wheden, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, 20th Century Fox, etc. No infringement intended. FEEDBACK: Please. Star-Cross’d Lovers(4/5) Angel and Buffy had spent the rest of the day cleaning out Angel’s appartment, saying goodbyes, and groping. It was 7:56; two minutes until he was gone. "Angel, I don’t want to let you go." "I don’t want to let you go either." "Buffy, I love you. I’ve loved you since the day I met you. I don’t regret one bit this decision, or any decision you’ve made for that matter." "I love you too. I-" Suddenly life started to drain from this face. "Kiss me," he whispered, "don’t say goodbye." And so she did just that. One small kiss on his lips, and his eyes closed. "Angel!" she shrieked. "NO!" A burst of tears fell down her face. She held her face in her hands and noticed her ring. As she started looking for her cross, she found a key to her drawer. She opened it up and saw the gun. On a piece of paper, she scribbled something and left it on the desk. Her hands picked up the gun. She pulled back the hammer and stuck it to her head. Her eyes closed, she pulled the trigger and fell into Angel’s arms, where she would live forever. ***** Angel: Is there a problem, ma'am? Buffy: Yeah, there's a problem. Why are you following me? Angel: I know what you're thinking. Don't worry, I don't bite…Truth is, I thought you'd be taller, or bigger muscles and all that. You're pretty spry, though. Buffy: What do you want? Angel: The same thing you do. Buffy: Okay. What do I want? Angel: To kill them. To kill them all. Buffy: Sorry, that's incorrect…What I want is to be left alone!…Who are you? Angel: Let's just say... I'm a friend. Buffy: Yeah, well, maybe I don't want a friend. Angel: I didn't say I was yours. *** Angel: Look, I don't wanna get you in any more trouble... Buffy: And I don't wanna get you dead… So, uh, oh... two of us, one bed. That doesn't work. Um, why don't you take the bed? Y'know, you're wounded... Angel: I'll take the floor. Buffy: Uh, no, that's not... Angel: Oh, believe me, I've had worse. Angel: Y-you even look pretty when you go to sleep. Buffy: Well, when I wake up it's an entirely different story. Buffy: Here. Sleep tight. Buffy: Angel? Angel: Hm? Buffy: Do you snore? Angel: I don't know. It's been a long time since anybody's been in a position to let me know. *** Buffy: I just wanted to be a real girl for once. The kind of fancy girl you liked when you were my age. Angel: Oh, ho. Buffy: What? Angel: I hated the girls back then. Especially the noble women. Buffy: You did. Angel: They were just incredibly dull. Simpering morons, a lot of them. I always wished I could meet someone... exciting. Interesting. Buffy: Really? Interesting how? Angel: You know how. Buffy: Still, I had a really hard day. You should probably tell me. Angel: You're right. I should. Buffy: Definitely. *** Angel: When was the last time you put on your skates? Buffy: About a couple of hundred demons ago. Angel: There's a rink out past route 17, it's... closed on Tuesdays. Buffy: Tomorrow's Tuesday. Angel: I know. *** Angel: Are you okay? Buffy: What about you? That cut! Angel: Forget about me. This is bad, Buffy. We gotta get you outta here. Buffy: What, you mean hide? Angel: Let's just get you someplace safe! Buffy: No! Your eye! She reaches back up to him and he shakes her off. Buffy: Hey! Don't be a baby. I'm not gonna hurt you. Angel: It's not that. I... Buffy: What? Angel: You shouldn't have to touch me when I'm like this. Buffy: Oh. I didn't even notice. *** Buffy: You almost went away today. Angel: We both did. Buffy: Angel... I feel like I lost you... You're right, though. We can't be sure of anything. Angel: Shhh. I... Buffy: You what? Angel: I love you. I try not to, but I can't stop. Buffy: Me, me, too. I can't either. Angel: Buffy, maybe we shouldn't... Buffy: Don't. Just kiss me…. *** Buffy: Angel, I don’t want to let you go. Angel: I don’t want to let you go either. Buffy, I love you. I’ve loved you since the day I met you. I don’t regret one bit this decision, or any decision you’ve made for that matter. Buffy: I love you too. I- Angel: Kiss me…don’t say goodbye. *** End Part 4/5 Prologue to come!! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC:Star-Crossed Lovers(5/5) Date: 05 Apr 1998 18:45:10 EDT Star-Cross’d Lovers (5/5) by Jaclyn Amy TITLE: Star-Cross’d Lovers AUTHOR: Jaclyn Amy RATING: PG DISTRIBUTION: Ask me first. SPOILERS: None. SUMMARY: Angel is Angelus and has killed Ms. Calendar. Pretty much, this just shows how strong Angel’s and Buffy’s love is. Oh, and this isn’t your regular restoration story. This gets sad, so if you are not into that kind of thing, don’t read it. DISCLAIMER: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It is owned by Joss Wheden, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, 20th Century Fox, etc. No infringement intended. I’d also like to thank Alexander for giving me the episode transcripts for doing section 4/5. FEEDBACK: Please. Star-Cross’d Lovers (5/5 Epilogue) Giles had woken up just in time to hear the gun shot. He had run from Mrs. Summer’s room, where he had been laid, to Buffy’s room. He was shocked at the sight in front of him. A dead, bloody Buffy lay on Angel, who had her blood splattered on his face. He noticed the gun in Buffy’s hand, and was utterly confused. He then remembered his death and was even more perplexed. Mrs. Summer’s, Xander, Willow, and Cordelia ran into the room. Cordelia and Mrs. Summer’s shrieked, Willow cried, Xander was in shock. Finally, Giles noticed the note on the desk. He read it silently to himself. Dear Giles, I know that you are probably confused and upset; and you every reason to be. I’ll try to explain this as best I can: Angelus murdered everyone: you, Willow, Xander, Cordelia, and Mom. I found something Willow had been working on on her computer: the Restoration Ceremony. I permormed it and Angel’s soul was not only returned, but the demon left. He had a choice though, to either be human for the rest of his life, or to have all that he killed since the last full moon live and he perish. He chose to die. I didn’t know how to go on without him. I couldn’t go on without him. I’m with him now, in heaven. I’m sorry, Giles. Sorry I couldn’t say goodbye; sorry that I needed to say goodbye. Tell Mom I love her, and that Angelus killed me. Ironically, its the truth. Tell Will and Xander that they were terrific friends, and I appreciated that. I love you, and I’ll never forget you. Have a great life, and make sure to take care of the new Slayer just as well as you did me. -Buffy *** As it was supposed to happen, Kendra took over as Slayer. Giles, not needing to be a Watcher, left for England. Xander and Cordelia were married and divorced-twice. Willow and Oz had been married, but Oz had joined the army and died in battle. She and Xander had gotten married later on in life and had one child. None of them ever forgot Buffy or Angel or the Hellmouth. But, as life went on, the pain became less. End Star-Cross’d Lovers - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Dreamscape Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: You Answered My Challenge!!! Date: 05 Apr 1998 23:12:30 -0400 I've been working on a Willow/Angel fic for awhile. Due to time constraints, it's taking me much longer than I thought. I've been posting it on the BBeta and Willfic lists, but if you would like it posted here...or for me to send you the finished parts, I would be honored to have you read it Thanks for your time, Dreamscape Ingrid E Stanton wrote: > Everybody- > I just wanted to compliment everyone who answered my challenge (to write > some Willow/Angel fic). They're all interesting spins on the situation. > Who knows? Maybe if I ever finish "Reunion," I'll do my own take on it! > Once again, my compliments! > -Ingrid > > Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return to > Normalcy," > "One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a Chance," > "Tragic > Sighs" and "Footsteps." > > _____________________________________________________________________ > You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. > Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com > Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] > > - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Anexsin Subject: BUFFYFIC: The Ties That Bind (epilouge) Date: 06 Apr 1998 02:52:54 EDT Title: The Ties That Bind (epilouge) Author: Melinda Frango Email Addy: Anexsin@aol.com Rating: PG Spoiler: All episodes before Passion. Distribution: Ask first Feedback: Greatly appreciated. Disclaimer: Buffy and the gang belong to Joss Whedon, the WB, etc. Only the story is mine, and whatever characters never seen or mentioned on the show. Summary: Buffy and the gang get help from an unexpected source in restoring Angel's soul. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ -One week later- "So Buffs, is our undead friend supposed to show up?" Xander questioned. Xander, Cordelia, and Buffy were sitting at one of the tables in the Bronze, while Willow and Oz were off dancing. Buffy broke her longing gaze off of the entrance of the Bronze to answer Xander. "He said he'd be here," she answered with a grin. "Well it's good to have him back," he commented. Buffy stared at him with a look of confusion etched upon her face. "What? There's no more Angelus running around trying to kill us, and it's nice to see you happy again. Therefore I can deal with dead boy," he pointed out. Buffy shook her head at Xander's change in attitude towards Angel, and chuckled slightly. "Buffy," Willow called, as she approached the table with Oz in tow. "Look who's here," she observed, as she pointed towards the entrance. Buffy immediately knew who Willow was talking about, so when she turned her head to where she was looking, she wasn't surprised to see Angel making his way towards her. A wide smile spread across both their features when their eyes locked, and everything around them ceased to exist. "Hi," she greeted, when he approached the table, giving him a loving kiss on the lips. "Hey," he replied, while taking a seat beside Buffy, and sneaking her hand into his. He greeted the others, albeit awkwardly, and they returned it. Things between the slayerettes and Angel had gotten better, but they still felt uncomfortable around each other. Time was needed to heal open wounds, and to regain the trust that was lost between them when Angel reverted to his former self. However, the ties that bind there friendship together will triumph in the end. "Will you take a walk with me?" Angel asked Buffy after a few moments of silence around the table. Buffy smiled at him once again and nodded in agreement. She stood up, and Angel helped her put on her jacket. Then he stood as well. He headed over to the door, and waited patiently while she talked to her friends. After Buffy said her goodbyes, she hooked her arm through Angel's, and leaned her head against his shoulder as the couple made their way out into the cool night air. "I haven't seen her smile like that in a long time," Willow conceded. "Yeah, it's good to see her happy, once again," Cordelia added. "C'mon let's dance," Xander offered. Oz, Willow, Xander, and Cordelia went out onto the dance floor, and let themselves have some fun for the first time in weeks. The End - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (6/?) by Ingrid Date: 06 Apr 1998 03:23:01 -0400 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Angel, Buffy, Cordy Willow, Xander, Jenny, Giles & company are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: Hee hee! Guess what! It's 3:20 AM right now, and I'm not finished with half of the work I have to do (even though I've been working all weekend). Somedays, you just want to kill the guy who invented honors english! Welcome to my new story. This one might be a tad difficult to understand at first, since it takes place ten years into the future, and I’m not telling you what’s happened in advance. I’m going to reveal that as time goes on in the story. I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. If you don’t get this, that’s because you haven’t read the other parts. If you want to get this, ask me for them! ********* "Reunion," by Ingrid Part Six: "Hello, Goodbye" ********* "Hello?" "Giles? It’s Buffy. I need your help." "Buffy?" With the pronouncement, everything he had been trying to deny rushed back at him with blinding force. He dropped onto a chair, and remained silent. The seconds clicked away. "Giles?" The voice on the other end was different, but somehow he would have known it anywhere. "Yes. Buffy, how have you been?" His response was polite, but strangely detached. "Well, fine, up until recently. That’s why I need your help. It was so difficult to track this number down." "What did you say the problem was?" "I didn’t. I was just getting to that." "Oh." "Giles, I’ve been having dreams." "What?" "Dreams." "Dreams- like the slayer dreams?" "Yeah, how did you-" "With Spike, and Willow?" "Yeah." "And Jenny and Ang-" He stopped suddenly. "No," Buffy answered, "Not with them." "Buffy, I’ve been… having dreams like those you spoke of. I don’t think it’s a coincidence. I think you should call Cordelia." "Cordelia? But she’s got her own-" "I think it would be important for her to know." He didn’t say anything else, and she wondered if he was still listening. "Goodbye," her voice nervously flitted and died. She hung up, stumbled purposelessly into the kitchen and crumpled into Angel’s arms. ****** END, PART 6. Some feedback each day keeps the badfic away! (Ingrid29@juno.com) Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return to Normalcy," "One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a Chance," "Tragic Sighs" and "Footsteps." _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Daphne1784 Subject: BUFFYFIC: Homecoming Pt. 2/? Date: 06 Apr 1998 18:43:12 EDT Title: Homecoming Pt 2/? Author: Aphrodite ( Just my pen name :P ) E-mail Addy: Daphne1784@aol.com Rating: It will vary so I will have them listed at the beginning of each part Distribution: Sure just make sure you ask me first! Summary: This is going to be about Buffy/Angel mostly. Spoilers: All the way up through "Killed by Death" Disclaimer: Buffy and the gang belong to the television show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," Joss Whedon, FOX, Mutant Enemy, and Warner Brothers. The Story and all characters that I decide to create are mine. Don't sue! Feedback: Please send me some feedback, good or bad, so that I will know if I should continue to write it. Also this is my very first fanfic so I want to know how I'm doing. ********************************* Homecoming Part Two Rating P.G. By: Aphrodite ********************************* After Buffy and the slayerettes left the library, Giles decided to take a trip to the cemetery to visit Jenny's grave. When he got there, he noticed some beautiful lilacs had already been placed upon it. *I wonder who put those there?* Giles thought, while he added his roses to them. He didn't notice the old lady sitting on the bench a few graves away. "Jenny," he started, "I needed some closure. The way we were parted so abruptly left us with some unresolved feelings. I shouldn't have been so cold and insensitive to you. I know that it wasn't your fault that you couldn't tell us about this. I felt the same way about Eyghon. I know that experience was terrible for you but in the end you were able to forgive me. So I just wanted to say that I . . . forgive you." There. He had finally said it, and he had meant it with all of his heart. He hoped that this would let Jenny's spirit rest a little easier. "You must be Giles," an elderly voice from behind him said. Startled he quickly turned around and saw the old woman. "May I ask who you are and how you know me?" Giles asked suspiciously. "Let's just say I'm a friend who is here to do a little . . . soul searching," the woman replied, a small smile playing over her lips. After walking Willow to class Buffy decided to roam around school for a while to clear her head. *At least it's daylight and I don't have to worry about Angelus trying to attack me or my friends,* Buffy thought. No matter how hard she tried not to think about him, good or evil, it seemed as if her whole life revolved around him. "Why won't he just leave me alone?" Buffy pleaded to no one in particular, desperately trying to hold back tears. It seemed besides thinking about Angel, all she ever did was cry recently. Buffy stared at the ring on her finger. It was the ring that Angel had given to her. She could still remember their conversation at the docks. The day he had given her the beautiful claddagh ring for her birthday. The ring had meant a lot to her. It symbolized their whole relationship. She still wore it every day, with the heart pointing toward her. It gave her hope, that just maybe, her Angel would come back to her. *Yeah right,* Buffy thought, bitterly. Angel had told her to wear the heart pointing toward her meaning that she belonged to somebody. Well she didn't belong to anybody now. Angel was gone and she was just going to have to accept that. She couldn't hold back the tears any longer. Before running to the bathroom she turned the ring with the heart pointing toward her fingertips. End of Part Two Feedback: PLEASE tell me what you think! It is essential to a writer's health to have feedback, good or bad. Just send it my way! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Kirstin" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Fallen (1/?) Date: 06 Apr 1998 19:22:31 -0400 title: Fallen (1/1) rating: strictly G or PG here. nothing anybody can't read. disclaimer: these characters are joss's, the wb's, mutant enemy's, anyone else who has a valid claim that i don't know about's property. they aren't mine. neither is the stuff from Gone . . ., Anya's story, which this is a sequel to. the ideas here, however, are mine. please don't steal them distribution: ask and ye shall receive. feedback: pretty please with a cherry on top. comments: mad props and thanks to all of the people who beta-read for me and sent me nice comments last time i sent this. Leslie, Taygeta, Michelle, Divine1798, and hjrobert, you are the best humans ever! i adore you! well, that's the cookies talkin', but you rock! :) There is no statute of limitations on forever, she told herself. You told him you love him. You have to honor that. But it was getting harder. So much had changed, in the month since he had left, in the weeks since she had. Things were completely different; she was completely different. And maybe somewhere inside she would always love him, but a different kind of love than she used to think. She had grown up with him, no matter how far apart they were, they would always be best friends. But she was beginning to see that distance really did matter, and that it wouldn't mean that she loved him less, if she let herself love someone else more. Buffy. How could she do this to Buffy? That was a completely different issue. She knew that Xander had never loved her the way she loved him. She wasn't betraying him. But she was betraying Buffy. In such a short time, the girls had grown so close. Buffy had opened her eyes, shown her things that she never knew existed. Willow had grown up a lot through their friendship, but she had grown even more when it ended. There was no way she could justify this. It was nothing but betrayal. Even though Angel and Buffy had never let themselves get too close, Willow knew that Buffy was in love. How could she do that to her best friend, even if Buffy and Angel would never see each other again? How could she ignore what she knew was right? But maybe Buffy and Angel weren't meant to be, Willow thought. After all, isn't he everything she is fighting against? It never would have worked out in the long run. They couldn't have had a future. A vampire and the slayer, that's practically the definition of star-crossed. Willow, on the other hand, knew exactly what Angel went through. She knew the bloodlust, and the guilt after. She knew what it was to be everything that she hated in the world, and together maybe they could make things work out. Maybe they did have a chance . . . Angel doesn't even want me, Willow decided. There is no way we have a chance. Just because I decided to be an awful person and turn against all of my friends doesn't mean that he has. He loves Buffy. I am just a friend. He wouldn't even have come with me, but he probably wanted to watch me in case I went full out vamp. Giles just made him come along to stake me if I started any problems. That's all it is. But when he looks at me now, it's different. Softer. It's like he has noticed that I'm changing too. I'm not the girl I used to be. I feel older, a lot less naive. And when I see myself, what little of myself I can still see in the mirror, I look different too. There's something there that wasn't there before. And I like it. I think I'm finally starting to see myself as beautiful. And someday maybe I'll find someone to love me like I love him . . . maybe someday Angel might fall in love with me, like I'm falling in love with him. ***** This hadn't just started. It wasn't like he woke up last week and thought, hmm, maybe Willow. And it wasn't just because Buffy was gone, or because Willow was a vampire. There was more to it. In a way, it had always been there. He and Willow had always gotten along. She was the one to stick up for him. And she had always been beautiful. That was definite. But there was something new. Something in the way that she carried herself, something behind her eyes. She looked older, wiser, and a little more sure of herself. In the middle of all of her problems, she had really grown up and found herself. Willow could always make the best of a bad situation. She was smart, and fun, and he loved being around her. He had always known that, too. What he hadn't always known though, what he was beginning to discover, was that he was falling in love with her, with Willow. If he really thought about it, he had probably started to notice sometime just before Buffy and Xander had gone on their respective vacations. He, Willow, Giles, Jenny, and Cordelia had thrown a makeshift goodbye party for the departing Slayer and Slayerette. He remembered one point in the evening when he was alone with Willow, setting up for the party. They were getting out the cake, setting up plates and glasses, the usual pre-party fare. At some point in their stream of idle conversation, Willow said something that made him take notice. "I can't believe they're going to be gone for so long! Xander is leaving tomorrow, and Buffy just a few days after. I guess I'll get good at doing research, since I'll be all alone for a month, I can catch up on my prophecies or something. Bye-bye hanging out and having fun," Willow said sadly. "Don't worry Willow; I promise a lot of hanging out and having fun this summer. As long as 241 year old dead guys are your style," Angel answered with a laugh. "I guess that could be included in my definition of fun," she said, brightening up. "Maybe we could go Bronzing sometimes?" she asked hopefully. "Sure," he answered, "I'd love to dance with you." I wonder if she saw then what I saw, Angel thought. I wonder if the same forbidden thoughts were running through her mind then, and later. We spent so much time together. By day, she was Giles' research girl, but at night, she was mine. Did she feel it too? When we did the rounds at night, did the same feelings tug at her soul as tugged at mine? I just wanted to be with her, all the time. She had to know. God, I was so obvious sometimes! I acted like a sixteen-year-old, not a 241-year vampire. It's a good thing that vampires don't sweat. She would have noticed my damp palms dancing at the Bronze. I love holding her close like that, her tiny body folded into mine. It was all I could do not to kiss her then, even before everything happened and I knew I would never see Buffy again. Even if this had never happened, I would have had to end things with Buffy when she got back. I wouldn't have approached Willow, I couldn't put that strain on their friendship, but I also couldn't allow myself to lead Buffy on like that. I knew even then that she wasn't the one I loved. When Willow didn't answer my call the night they got her, I was trapped in fear. I ran through the city, looking everywhere I thought she might be. Finally, I reached the Anointed One's lair. I remember her, lying on the ground. She was passed out, sick. She was so cold when I picked her up. What if she had been dead? Well, in a way, she was dead. The fear raced through me. Thank god Giles was home when I got there. He found a pulse, a quiet low pulse. So we waited. I think he might have known how I feel about her. He could see it. I know that there is nothing for her in Europe. There are no Rom to cure her. She is what she is forever. I think Giles knows that too, but neither of us could tell Willow. This is her last hope. Maybe there is something there though, something that will reassure her, even if it won't cure her. She has a lot of fighting to do. Together though, I know we can get through it. I can help her control her urges, and she can help me with mine. We're good for each other. Sunnydale was bad for both of us. That's why I filled her head with hopes of an anchor for her soul. In Sunnydale, she would have driven a stake into her heart eventually, or forced Buffy to do it for her. She couldn't have handled being what she was, a Slayerette who should have been one of the slain. Giles and I knew that to keep her alive, we had to keep her away from home. And so we're going to Europe. We're going together. I hope that someday, we can truly be together. Maybe someday Willow might fall in love with me, like I've fallen in love with her. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Kirstin" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Fallen (1/?) Date: 06 Apr 1998 19:22:31 -0400 title: Fallen (1/1) rating: strictly G or PG here. nothing anybody can't read. disclaimer: these characters are joss's, the wb's, mutant enemy's, anyone else who has a valid claim that i don't know about's property. they aren't mine. neither is the stuff from Gone . . ., Anya's story, which this is a sequel to. the ideas here, however, are mine. please don't steal them distribution: ask and ye shall receive. feedback: pretty please with a cherry on top. comments: mad props and thanks to all of the people who beta-read for me and sent me nice comments last time i sent this. Leslie, Taygeta, Michelle, Divine1798, and hjrobert, you are the best humans ever! i adore you! well, that's the cookies talkin', but you rock! :) There is no statute of limitations on forever, she told herself. You told him you love him. You have to honor that. But it was getting harder. So much had changed, in the month since he had left, in the weeks since she had. Things were completely different; she was completely different. And maybe somewhere inside she would always love him, but a different kind of love than she used to think. She had grown up with him, no matter how far apart they were, they would always be best friends. But she was beginning to see that distance really did matter, and that it wouldn't mean that she loved him less, if she let herself love someone else more. Buffy. How could she do this to Buffy? That was a completely different issue. She knew that Xander had never loved her the way she loved him. She wasn't betraying him. But she was betraying Buffy. In such a short time, the girls had grown so close. Buffy had opened her eyes, shown her things that she never knew existed. Willow had grown up a lot through their friendship, but she had grown even more when it ended. There was no way she could justify this. It was nothing but betrayal. Even though Angel and Buffy had never let themselves get too close, Willow knew that Buffy was in love. How could she do that to her best friend, even if Buffy and Angel would never see each other again? How could she ignore what she knew was right? But maybe Buffy and Angel weren't meant to be, Willow thought. After all, isn't he everything she is fighting against? It never would have worked out in the long run. They couldn't have had a future. A vampire and the slayer, that's practically the definition of star-crossed. Willow, on the other hand, knew exactly what Angel went through. She knew the bloodlust, and the guilt after. She knew what it was to be everything that she hated in the world, and together maybe they could make things work out. Maybe they did have a chance . . . Angel doesn't even want me, Willow decided. There is no way we have a chance. Just because I decided to be an awful person and turn against all of my friends doesn't mean that he has. He loves Buffy. I am just a friend. He wouldn't even have come with me, but he probably wanted to watch me in case I went full out vamp. Giles just made him come along to stake me if I started any problems. That's all it is. But when he looks at me now, it's different. Softer. It's like he has noticed that I'm changing too. I'm not the girl I used to be. I feel older, a lot less naive. And when I see myself, what little of myself I can still see in the mirror, I look different too. There's something there that wasn't there before. And I like it. I think I'm finally starting to see myself as beautiful. And someday maybe I'll find someone to love me like I love him . . . maybe someday Angel might fall in love with me, like I'm falling in love with him. ***** This hadn't just started. It wasn't like he woke up last week and thought, hmm, maybe Willow. And it wasn't just because Buffy was gone, or because Willow was a vampire. There was more to it. In a way, it had always been there. He and Willow had always gotten along. She was the one to stick up for him. And she had always been beautiful. That was definite. But there was something new. Something in the way that she carried herself, something behind her eyes. She looked older, wiser, and a little more sure of herself. In the middle of all of her problems, she had really grown up and found herself. Willow could always make the best of a bad situation. She was smart, and fun, and he loved being around her. He had always known that, too. What he hadn't always known though, what he was beginning to discover, was that he was falling in love with her, with Willow. If he really thought about it, he had probably started to notice sometime just before Buffy and Xander had gone on their respective vacations. He, Willow, Giles, Jenny, and Cordelia had thrown a makeshift goodbye party for the departing Slayer and Slayerette. He remembered one point in the evening when he was alone with Willow, setting up for the party. They were getting out the cake, setting up plates and glasses, the usual pre-party fare. At some point in their stream of idle conversation, Willow said something that made him take notice. "I can't believe they're going to be gone for so long! Xander is leaving tomorrow, and Buffy just a few days after. I guess I'll get good at doing research, since I'll be all alone for a month, I can catch up on my prophecies or something. Bye-bye hanging out and having fun," Willow said sadly. "Don't worry Willow; I promise a lot of hanging out and having fun this summer. As long as 241 year old dead guys are your style," Angel answered with a laugh. "I guess that could be included in my definition of fun," she said, brightening up. "Maybe we could go Bronzing sometimes?" she asked hopefully. "Sure," he answered, "I'd love to dance with you." I wonder if she saw then what I saw, Angel thought. I wonder if the same forbidden thoughts were running through her mind then, and later. We spent so much time together. By day, she was Giles' research girl, but at night, she was mine. Did she feel it too? When we did the rounds at night, did the same feelings tug at her soul as tugged at mine? I just wanted to be with her, all the time. She had to know. God, I was so obvious sometimes! I acted like a sixteen-year-old, not a 241-year vampire. It's a good thing that vampires don't sweat. She would have noticed my damp palms dancing at the Bronze. I love holding her close like that, her tiny body folded into mine. It was all I could do not to kiss her then, even before everything happened and I knew I would never see Buffy again. Even if this had never happened, I would have had to end things with Buffy when she got back. I wouldn't have approached Willow, I couldn't put that strain on their friendship, but I also couldn't allow myself to lead Buffy on like that. I knew even then that she wasn't the one I loved. When Willow didn't answer my call the night they got her, I was trapped in fear. I ran through the city, looking everywhere I thought she might be. Finally, I reached the Anointed One's lair. I remember her, lying on the ground. She was passed out, sick. She was so cold when I picked her up. What if she had been dead? Well, in a way, she was dead. The fear raced through me. Thank god Giles was home when I got there. He found a pulse, a quiet low pulse. So we waited. I think he might have known how I feel about her. He could see it. I know that there is nothing for her in Europe. There are no Rom to cure her. She is what she is forever. I think Giles knows that too, but neither of us could tell Willow. This is her last hope. Maybe there is something there though, something that will reassure her, even if it won't cure her. She has a lot of fighting to do. Together though, I know we can get through it. I can help her control her urges, and she can help me with mine. We're good for each other. Sunnydale was bad for both of us. That's why I filled her head with hopes of an anchor for her soul. In Sunnydale, she would have driven a stake into her heart eventually, or forced Buffy to do it for her. She couldn't have handled being what she was, a Slayerette who should have been one of the slain. Giles and I knew that to keep her alive, we had to keep her away from home. And so we're going to Europe. We're going together. I hope that someday, we can truly be together. Maybe someday Willow might fall in love with me, like I've fallen in love with her. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope (41/45) Date: 06 Apr 1998 17:26:43 PDT Author: Sara B. Sara114@hotmail.com Rating: Varies...will be posted at beginning of each part. Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, its characters, yada yada yada belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar, WB, and Fox.... I'm just borrowing them, (although I wish Angel was mine!) Everything else belongs to me! Author's note: This is your usual generic story. Angel is still good, so basically in my story surprise/innocence didn't happen. Willow and Oz are together, and Xander and Cordy are still hiding their secret utility closet rondevu's. This is going to be a long story, and will take some time so be patient with me. I'm not very good at story telling, so if this totally sucks and isn't read-worthy, just let me know.Oh yeah, and I want feedback, feedback, and more feedback. I don't care if it's good or bad, just tell me what you thought of it. Part 41 PG-13 Fighting scenes Hope stared into the cold eyes of Angel. He smirked as Joyce was near hysterics. Joyce sobbed. “Buffy! He is going to kill you! You have to get out of here!” Hope looked at Joyce. < Even she thinks I’m Buffy > “It’s okay, Joyce. He isn’t going to kill me.” Joyce sat up straight, a confused expression formed on her face. Hope looked at Angel. “You are quite the unobservant one.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” He growled. His face changed into his demonic form. “You’ll find out in good time,” she answered. “You know, I’m getting sick of this small talk,” Angel said, advancing toward her. Hope sniffed the air. “Do you smell that?” She asked, looking behind Angel. “Smell what?” He growled. “I smell Sex and Candy,” she said. Angel looked at her, confused. He turned around to see what was behind him. Hope looked up and saw an old rafter that used to be part of the church. Grabbing it, she swung with both feet into his back, making him fly forward onto his face. “You know? The song?” He swiftly stood up and before he could react, she kicked his face with a roundhouse, and followed up with several punches and another kick. Angel grabbed her by the throat and lifted her into the air, choking her. “Deja vu,” he whispered. Hope smiled and grabbed his arm. She swung her feet high into the air, grabbing his head between her legs. With a quick twist, he landed on the ground, letting go of her neck. Angel scrambled to his feet, and lunged at her. Hope ducked, and pushed him into the hard rock wall. She grabbed an old piece of wood from the ground and used it as a shield as Angel tried to punch her. Hope hit him over the head with it. He fell to his knee, but got back up. She hit him with it again and he fell to his other knee, but quickly got up again. She hit him a third time and he staggered again. Angel grabbed the wood from her and hit her in the side with it, causing her to stumble sideways. She gave him a hard punch to the face, and tried again, but he blocked it and hit her in the face, sending her into the wall behind her. Barely phased, she kicked him in the face as he tried to grab her. He swung at her, but missed. She punched him in the gut. She swung again, but he blocked her punch, and back handed her hard. She landed on the ground with a thud. Hope scrambled to her feet, and stood in her fighters position. Angel stood a few feet away from her, doing the same. Both staring each other down, not wanting to lose eye contact. Hope did a flip over Angel, landing behind him. She kicked him with all of her might, and he lunged forward, crashing into a column. It toppled over, breaking to pieces as it hit the ground. The candles on top of it fell into the pond. He got back up and grabbed her, throwing her across the room. She landed against the wall with a thud, then fell to the ground. She forced herself to stand up, despite the pain in her body. Angel stared at her, his eyes growing wide with immense Anger. “Your not Buffy,” he hissed, baring his yellow fangs. Hope smiled. “I told you you were unobservant.” Angel advanced toward her and grabbed her by the neck. He lifted her body up high in the air and threw her at the wall with all of his strength. Hope’s head collided with the hard rock and she was knocked unconscious. An ominous laugh emerged from Angel as he stared at her limp figure. He bent down to grab her but stopped to hear a loud wail emerge from the doorway. He looked up to see Xander and Giles staring at him and Hope. He stood up and grabbed Xander, slamming him into the wall. “You shouldn’t have come here, boy,” Angel snarled, his yellow eyes glaring. “But hey, I guess this means I don’t have to hunt you down,” he laughed, leaning his mouth into Xander’s neck. “Let him go, dead boy,” a voice called from the passageway. Xander and Angel looked to see Buffy standing behind him. The vampire dropped the boy and turned to face the Slayer. She pulled out a stake from her back and tapped it gently in her palm. “You shouldn’t have tricked me,” Angel said. “And you shouldn’t try to kill my friends,” she said, and swung at him. He ducked it quickly, and laughed. She tried a direct thrust, which Angel just pushed aside, but she followed it up with a punch to the face from her other hand and used her momentum to spin around for a roundhouse kick, knocking him down. Buffy charged at him with the stake held above her head in both hands. He blocked her charge with his arms and twisted her arms down, forcing her to drop the stake, and shoved her into a wall. He tried to knock her legs out from under her, but her footing was firm and she kicked him in the back, knocking him down instead. Once down he tried kicking again and this time made her fall. She grabbed his hair, pulled him up a bit and kicked him in the face. They both scrambled to their feet. Angel swung and missed. He swung the other way, but she blocked it and punched him three times in the gut and then a right hook to his jaw. Buffy and Angel stood, staring at each other. Both were tired, but were in no mood to quit fighting. She looked into his eyes, searching for his lost soul, trying not to remember that he was Angel, that he was her love. “What happened to you, Angel?” She dared to ask him. He smiled. “The best thing possible,” he sneered. “I’m the Master. And your dead,” he said, and lunged at her. He grabbed her hair and pulled her toward him. She kicked him in the stomach, and dug her fingernails into his hand. He released his grip on her and held his hand out in front of him. Opening his palm, he froze her body and her mind. Twisting his hand, she slowly walked toward him, not in control of her body. Her mind flashed back to the Master. < Move Buffy! > She screamed at her self. Frozen with fear, she watched Angel stand behind her, gently grabbing her shoulders. “It’s too bad it has to end this way,” Angel said, laughing. “But I’m sure glad it did. I really give you kudos for trying, though.” He brushed her hair from her neck and slowly lowered his mouth to her neck. Buffy panted hard with fear. She could feel his hot breath on her neck. He gently pierced her skin, drawing a hint of blood. As he gently took a sip, Hope slowly awakened. She stared at the image in front of her, trying to clear her head. < This can’t be happening > She thought, and her vision focused on Angel sucking the life out of Buffy. Hope watched in horror, struggling to get up. Giles ran toward Angel, but the vampire put his hand up and opened his palm. The Watcher’s body flung backwards and hit the wall. Giles groaned in pain. < I love you, Angel > Buffy thought, as her head began to feel light. She slowly opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Angel fed from Buffy, drinking her blood, savoring the taste of the warm liquid on his tounge. Her eyes slowly closed. Her skin grew pale and her body slumped in his grip. Angel, Buffy’s only love, dropped her lifeless body on the ground. He licked his lips and looked at her three friend’s horrified faces and gloated. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope (45/45) Date: 06 Apr 1998 17:33:00 PDT Author: Sara B. Sara114@hotmail.com Rating: Varies...will be posted at beginning of each part. Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, its characters, yada yada yada belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar, WB, and Fox.... I'm just borrowing them, (although I wish Angel was mine!) Everything else belongs to me! Author's note: This is your usual generic story. Angel is still good, so basically in my story surprise/innocence didn't happen. Willow and Oz are together, and Xander and Cordy are still hiding their secret utility closet rondevu's. This is going to be a long story, and will take some time so be patient with me. I'm not very good at story telling, so if this totally sucks and isn't read-worthy, just let me know.Oh yeah, and I want feedback, feedback, and more feedback. I don't care if it's good or bad, just tell me what you thought of it. Part 45 PG Giles sat in his living room, replaying the conversation with Hope’s parents over and over in his head. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. < This is truly amazing. Gayle’s great grandfather had been a Watcher, and her grandmother’s great aunt was a Slayer > He rubbed his aching temples and gulped down a large glass of water. < They knew about the prophecy all along. Hope was destined to save Angel, and was also destined to die > < Then she disappeared. Right in Xander’s arms > It was an amazing thing for Giles to see. In his lifetime, he had come across many odd and unnatural beings, but never had a mortal just disappear. But then, Hope wasn’t a mortal. *There is something you don’t know about Hope* Gayle said. *What? What is it?* Giles asked. *She is immortal.* Giles had been so shocked at this information he had nearly fallen off the sofa. Hope was immortal. An immortal Slayer. If she hadn’t risked her own life to save Angel’s, she would have died. It was the goodness in her that gave her immortality. < Well all thought she had died. Buffy wept for her...her feeling of guilt is overwhelming. She will be so happy to find Hope is alive > The smile on Giles’ face turned into a frown. < Or will she? Will her mourning over Angel affect her greatly? Will she be able to continue her slaying abilities? > He began to feel distress over this, worrying that Buffy would be too grief stricken to deal with anything. < Her love for Angel was never questionable. Her feelings were loud and clear. She loved him with all of her heart and soul. Poor Buffy, she is too young to have to deal with this...to young to have so much responsibility > Giles stood up and walked to his window. Pulling back his curtains, he stared into the night sky. < So much has happened in the past two days. All our lives have been changed. Forever. Will Buffy be able to get past his death? She is incredibly strong for her age. A maturity well beyond her sixteen years. Out of all the slayers I have read about, she has been the most incredible of them all. She survived death, the most dangerous opponent of all. The one thing that Buffy can’t fight > Giles took a deep breath and sauntered away from the window. He turned off the lights and locked his door, breathing a sigh of relief at the fact that vampires couldn’t come in unless they were invited. He walked to his bedroom, and changed into a pair of pajamas. Slipping beneath the covers of his bed, he pulled out his Watcher diary and wrote about the past two day’s events. ***** “Goodnight, Mom. I love you,” Buffy said to Joyce before entering her room. Angel trailed close behind at her feet. “Goodnight, Buffy. I love you too. Sleep tight...don’t let the bed bugs bite,” Joyce said from the hall. Buffy laughed. “More like don’t let the vampires bite.” Joyce raised her eyebrow. “Are you sure vampire’s can’t come in unless they are invited?” “Positive,” Buffy replied. “So don’t invite anyone in the house after dark. That is unless I am here.” Nodding, Joyce walked to her bedroom. “Sweet dreams, I’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight, Angel.” Angel meowed loudly, and Buffy smiled. “Thanks for letting me keep him,” she said. “Your welcome,” she responded, grinning in joy at her daughter’s seemingly happy mood. < If that little kitten makes her feel better, than he is more than welcome! > Buffy closed her bedroom door. She walked to her closet and changed into boxers and a T-shirt. Angel hopped up onto her bed, curling up on a cozy blanket. Buffy took off her necklace and rings, placing them next to her bed. She strolled over to her window, and ran her fingers along the sill. “Good-bye, Angel,” she whispered, closing her curtains. Picking up the leather jacket he gave her, she pulled back the covers and crawled into bed. Angel stirred and bounced to her, nudging her face. She let him cozy up to her. Buffy watched the kitten bathe himself, and smiled. Rolling over onto her back, she pulled her comforter up to her neck. Buffy sighed heavily. “I’m going to miss you so much,” she whispered, letting the tears flow freely from her eyes. She sniffled, feeling her empty heart tighten. She grasped the jacket tightly, weeping...her tears wetting her face and pillow. Closing her eyes, she imagined him. His smile, his laugh, his smell, his voice, his eyes. Before long, her body relaxed and her weeping stopped. The tight grip she had on her jacket lessened as she drifted off into a deep sleep, into a dream world were she and her love could be together for eternity. Angel sat up, and hopped off Buffy’s bed. He trotted across her floor to her window. Jumping up onto the sill, he sat, watching the Slayer sleep. Her small body illuminated by the soft light of the moon. He watched over her protectively...as he had done so many times before. EL FIN FEEDBACK FEEDBACK!!!!!!!!!!! PRETTY PLEASE?!?!?!?!!! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope (45/45) Date: 06 Apr 1998 17:33:00 PDT Author: Sara B. Sara114@hotmail.com Rating: Varies...will be posted at beginning of each part. Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, its characters, yada yada yada belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar, WB, and Fox.... I'm just borrowing them, (although I wish Angel was mine!) Everything else belongs to me! Author's note: This is your usual generic story. Angel is still good, so basically in my story surprise/innocence didn't happen. Willow and Oz are together, and Xander and Cordy are still hiding their secret utility closet rondevu's. This is going to be a long story, and will take some time so be patient with me. I'm not very good at story telling, so if this totally sucks and isn't read-worthy, just let me know.Oh yeah, and I want feedback, feedback, and more feedback. I don't care if it's good or bad, just tell me what you thought of it. Part 45 PG Giles sat in his living room, replaying the conversation with Hope’s parents over and over in his head. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. < This is truly amazing. Gayle’s great grandfather had been a Watcher, and her grandmother’s great aunt was a Slayer > He rubbed his aching temples and gulped down a large glass of water. < They knew about the prophecy all along. Hope was destined to save Angel, and was also destined to die > < Then she disappeared. Right in Xander’s arms > It was an amazing thing for Giles to see. In his lifetime, he had come across many odd and unnatural beings, but never had a mortal just disappear. But then, Hope wasn’t a mortal. *There is something you don’t know about Hope* Gayle said. *What? What is it?* Giles asked. *She is immortal.* Giles had been so shocked at this information he had nearly fallen off the sofa. Hope was immortal. An immortal Slayer. If she hadn’t risked her own life to save Angel’s, she would have died. It was the goodness in her that gave her immortality. < Well all thought she had died. Buffy wept for her...her feeling of guilt is overwhelming. She will be so happy to find Hope is alive > The smile on Giles’ face turned into a frown. < Or will she? Will her mourning over Angel affect her greatly? Will she be able to continue her slaying abilities? > He began to feel distress over this, worrying that Buffy would be too grief stricken to deal with anything. < Her love for Angel was never questionable. Her feelings were loud and clear. She loved him with all of her heart and soul. Poor Buffy, she is too young to have to deal with this...to young to have so much responsibility > Giles stood up and walked to his window. Pulling back his curtains, he stared into the night sky. < So much has happened in the past two days. All our lives have been changed. Forever. Will Buffy be able to get past his death? She is incredibly strong for her age. A maturity well beyond her sixteen years. Out of all the slayers I have read about, she has been the most incredible of them all. She survived death, the most dangerous opponent of all. The one thing that Buffy can’t fight > Giles took a deep breath and sauntered away from the window. He turned off the lights and locked his door, breathing a sigh of relief at the fact that vampires couldn’t come in unless they were invited. He walked to his bedroom, and changed into a pair of pajamas. Slipping beneath the covers of his bed, he pulled out his Watcher diary and wrote about the past two day’s events. ***** “Goodnight, Mom. I love you,” Buffy said to Joyce before entering her room. Angel trailed close behind at her feet. “Goodnight, Buffy. I love you too. Sleep tight...don’t let the bed bugs bite,” Joyce said from the hall. Buffy laughed. “More like don’t let the vampires bite.” Joyce raised her eyebrow. “Are you sure vampire’s can’t come in unless they are invited?” “Positive,” Buffy replied. “So don’t invite anyone in the house after dark. That is unless I am here.” Nodding, Joyce walked to her bedroom. “Sweet dreams, I’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight, Angel.” Angel meowed loudly, and Buffy smiled. “Thanks for letting me keep him,” she said. “Your welcome,” she responded, grinning in joy at her daughter’s seemingly happy mood. < If that little kitten makes her feel better, than he is more than welcome! > Buffy closed her bedroom door. She walked to her closet and changed into boxers and a T-shirt. Angel hopped up onto her bed, curling up on a cozy blanket. Buffy took off her necklace and rings, placing them next to her bed. She strolled over to her window, and ran her fingers along the sill. “Good-bye, Angel,” she whispered, closing her curtains. Picking up the leather jacket he gave her, she pulled back the covers and crawled into bed. Angel stirred and bounced to her, nudging her face. She let him cozy up to her. Buffy watched the kitten bathe himself, and smiled. Rolling over onto her back, she pulled her comforter up to her neck. Buffy sighed heavily. “I’m going to miss you so much,” she whispered, letting the tears flow freely from her eyes. She sniffled, feeling her empty heart tighten. She grasped the jacket tightly, weeping...her tears wetting her face and pillow. Closing her eyes, she imagined him. His smile, his laugh, his smell, his voice, his eyes. Before long, her body relaxed and her weeping stopped. The tight grip she had on her jacket lessened as she drifted off into a deep sleep, into a dream world were she and her love could be together for eternity. Angel sat up, and hopped off Buffy’s bed. He trotted across her floor to her window. Jumping up onto the sill, he sat, watching the Slayer sleep. Her small body illuminated by the soft light of the moon. He watched over her protectively...as he had done so many times before. EL FIN FEEDBACK FEEDBACK!!!!!!!!!!! PRETTY PLEASE?!?!?!?!!! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope (45/45) Date: 06 Apr 1998 17:33:00 PDT Author: Sara B. Sara114@hotmail.com Rating: Varies...will be posted at beginning of each part. Disclaimer: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, its characters, yada yada yada belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar, WB, and Fox.... I'm just borrowing them, (although I wish Angel was mine!) Everything else belongs to me! Author's note: This is your usual generic story. Angel is still good, so basically in my story surprise/innocence didn't happen. Willow and Oz are together, and Xander and Cordy are still hiding their secret utility closet rondevu's. This is going to be a long story, and will take some time so be patient with me. I'm not very good at story telling, so if this totally sucks and isn't read-worthy, just let me know.Oh yeah, and I want feedback, feedback, and more feedback. I don't care if it's good or bad, just tell me what you thought of it. Part 45 PG Giles sat in his living room, replaying the conversation with Hope’s parents over and over in his head. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. < This is truly amazing. Gayle’s great grandfather had been a Watcher, and her grandmother’s great aunt was a Slayer > He rubbed his aching temples and gulped down a large glass of water. < They knew about the prophecy all along. Hope was destined to save Angel, and was also destined to die > < Then she disappeared. Right in Xander’s arms > It was an amazing thing for Giles to see. In his lifetime, he had come across many odd and unnatural beings, but never had a mortal just disappear. But then, Hope wasn’t a mortal. *There is something you don’t know about Hope* Gayle said. *What? What is it?* Giles asked. *She is immortal.* Giles had been so shocked at this information he had nearly fallen off the sofa. Hope was immortal. An immortal Slayer. If she hadn’t risked her own life to save Angel’s, she would have died. It was the goodness in her that gave her immortality. < Well all thought she had died. Buffy wept for her...her feeling of guilt is overwhelming. She will be so happy to find Hope is alive > The smile on Giles’ face turned into a frown. < Or will she? Will her mourning over Angel affect her greatly? Will she be able to continue her slaying abilities? > He began to feel distress over this, worrying that Buffy would be too grief stricken to deal with anything. < Her love for Angel was never questionable. Her feelings were loud and clear. She loved him with all of her heart and soul. Poor Buffy, she is too young to have to deal with this...to young to have so much responsibility > Giles stood up and walked to his window. Pulling back his curtains, he stared into the night sky. < So much has happened in the past two days. All our lives have been changed. Forever. Will Buffy be able to get past his death? She is incredibly strong for her age. A maturity well beyond her sixteen years. Out of all the slayers I have read about, she has been the most incredible of them all. She survived death, the most dangerous opponent of all. The one thing that Buffy can’t fight > Giles took a deep breath and sauntered away from the window. He turned off the lights and locked his door, breathing a sigh of relief at the fact that vampires couldn’t come in unless they were invited. He walked to his bedroom, and changed into a pair of pajamas. Slipping beneath the covers of his bed, he pulled out his Watcher diary and wrote about the past two day’s events. ***** “Goodnight, Mom. I love you,” Buffy said to Joyce before entering her room. Angel trailed close behind at her feet. “Goodnight, Buffy. I love you too. Sleep tight...don’t let the bed bugs bite,” Joyce said from the hall. Buffy laughed. “More like don’t let the vampires bite.” Joyce raised her eyebrow. “Are you sure vampire’s can’t come in unless they are invited?” “Positive,” Buffy replied. “So don’t invite anyone in the house after dark. That is unless I am here.” Nodding, Joyce walked to her bedroom. “Sweet dreams, I’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight, Angel.” Angel meowed loudly, and Buffy smiled. “Thanks for letting me keep him,” she said. “Your welcome,” she responded, grinning in joy at her daughter’s seemingly happy mood. < If that little kitten makes her feel better, than he is more than welcome! > Buffy closed her bedroom door. She walked to her closet and changed into boxers and a T-shirt. Angel hopped up onto her bed, curling up on a cozy blanket. Buffy took off her necklace and rings, placing them next to her bed. She strolled over to her window, and ran her fingers along the sill. “Good-bye, Angel,” she whispered, closing her curtains. Picking up the leather jacket he gave her, she pulled back the covers and crawled into bed. Angel stirred and bounced to her, nudging her face. She let him cozy up to her. Buffy watched the kitten bathe himself, and smiled. Rolling over onto her back, she pulled her comforter up to her neck. Buffy sighed heavily. “I’m going to miss you so much,” she whispered, letting the tears flow freely from her eyes. She sniffled, feeling her empty heart tighten. She grasped the jacket tightly, weeping...her tears wetting her face and pillow. Closing her eyes, she imagined him. His smile, his laugh, his smell, his voice, his eyes. Before long, her body relaxed and her weeping stopped. The tight grip she had on her jacket lessened as she drifted off into a deep sleep, into a dream world were she and her love could be together for eternity. Angel sat up, and hopped off Buffy’s bed. He trotted across her floor to her window. Jumping up onto the sill, he sat, watching the Slayer sleep. Her small body illuminated by the soft light of the moon. He watched over her protectively...as he had done so many times before. EL FIN FEEDBACK FEEDBACK!!!!!!!!!!! PRETTY PLEASE?!?!?!?!!! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: BUFFYFIC: My Moira (2/?) Date: 06 Apr 1998 23:44:18 -0700 Title: My Moira (2/?) Author: Taygeta E-mail: Taygeta@juno.com Feedback: It's new and I really need the thoughts, so please send. Distribution: Anywhere you think appropriate, but please tell me first. Spoiler: Not really Description: Twenty years into the future, 'nuff said. Disclaimer: The Buffy characters portrayed in this story and any other references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the property of its creater Joss Whedon, and its owners Mutant Enemy productions, Kuzui Productions, Sandollar Productions, and 20th Century Fox. Rating: PG, just kissing. *************************** My Moira (2/?) By: Taygeta Xander thought about Buffy, and thought how she hadn't changed. She was still the outspoken, wonderful, and beautiful person that he had first set his eyes upon that one day during sophomore year. She had been released from her duties as a slayer about two years after they had closed the Hellmouth, and he remembered the smile on her face and the relief she had expressed from her triumph and most all her freedom. The last twenty-odd years had been so peaceful and had flown by so quickly that it amazed Xander. He had watched Moira grow from a tiny babe in his arms to a strong and capable young woman. Every time he looked into her eyes, he saw so much of Buffy and so much of himself, that it made him proud to call her is own. Xander turned around when he heard the door open, and Buffy walked in, dressed in a pair of jeans and a tee shirt. She eyed him with a smile and Xander reluctantly climbed out of bed. He walked by her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "It was time you got up, sleepyhead," said Buffy with a sigh, "Willow, Oz, and Giles are going to be here, any second." "Oh, is Aunt Willow going to bring her new baby with her?" asked Moira hopefully, "He's such a cutie!" "Yes, she is, but you, young lady have to be in school in about twenty minutes," said Buffy glancing at the diamond and gold watch that Xander had gotten for her for their fifteenth anniversary. "So, you better get a move on." "Yes, Mom," said Moira with a sigh before she gave her mother a kiss and then her father before she headed downstairs, "Bye, Dad." "I'm still not use to you telling our daughter not to be late for school," said Xander as he heard the front door shut. "I mean, this is coming from Buffy, Sunnydale's least present student." "That was then, and this is now," said Buffy with a sigh, "Twenty-years can change a person a lot." "Not you, Buffy, you haven't changed one...little...bit," said Xander giving her a kiss on the tip of her nose. She looked at him and said, "Is that so, Alexander Harris? So, you're telling me that I still act the same and *look* the same as I did when I was seventeen?" Xander paused and knew that he had just fallen into one of those answer traps, and he had learned over the years exactly what to say, "You still act the same, yes, but..." "Xander..." Buffy said cautiously. He whispered softly in her ear, "Buffy, you're more beautiful to me every day, inside and out." Buffy and Xander looked into each other's eyes for a second, not speaking, yet still speaking at the same time. Their silent words were cut short, when they heard the screaming of Willow's precious little boy. Buffy slid out of Xander's grasp and said, as she eyed her husband, who was still in his boxers, "Duty calls, so get dressed." Xander reluctantly walked back to their room, but he caught her last sentence, "Not that I mind if you didn't get dressed..." "Where's the little terror?" Buffy asked as she walked down the steps to greet Willow and Oz. When she took a hold of the baby, it began to coo as she said softly, "Oh, little Giles Xander Rosenberg-Osgoode, you're such a cute-pie, even if your parents didn't know what the heck they were doing when they named you." "Thank you, Buffy," said Willow sarcastically with a smile. "Willow, Hon, the next time you decide to name your next child, just give her or him a simple name, not Giles Xander Rosenberg-Osgoode!" said Buffy turning to look at Willow and then she returned to the baby. "I'm just going to call you little Oz. Big Oz, what are the chances that little Oz is going to be werewolfy?" "Not too much, but there is a chance," said Oz with a nod, who had grown out of his "cool" hair. "Hey, everyone!" Xander said walking down the stairs dressed in a pair of jeans and a black T-shirt. "Xander, come meet Giles Xander Rosenberg-Osgoode," said Buffy with a smile. "No more funnies about my little baby's name," Willow said, although she knew her son had a long name. "Y'know, Will," said Xander giving her a friendly kiss on the cheek as a greeting, "You should have gone with Xander Osgoode, nice and simple." "I think not, Xander," said Giles opening the screen door and walking in. "G-man!" said Xander with a chuckle, "only kidding." "As always, Xander, as always," said Giles with a sigh and a smile, and he turned to Buffy. "Should of thought twice about marrying this fellow, Buffy. I would think that a slayer would have such sense." "I thought about it, but I figured he was better than nothing," said Buffy glancing at Xander's face. "I think that might be the other way around, Buffy," said Xander indignantly, but when all of their eyes gave him a Look his smile turned sheepish, "Or not." "Too bad Cordelia couldn't make it," said Buffy handing the baby over to Willow, again, "It would have made for the perfect reunion." "Y'know, I still haven't gotten use to the idea that Cordy's a Watcher, have you, Giles?" asked Xander as he sat down on their black leather couch set. "You'd be surprised, Xander, how much Cordelia's matured over the years. She's a rather fine Watcher and one of the best these days," said Giles, who made it a point not to say bad things of fellow Watchers, although he was a former. "I'm surprised we need Watchers at all, I mean, the Hellmouth's closed and vampires are nonexistent," said Buffy thoughtfully. The screen door creaked loudly as it opened, causing all eyes to turn to see who had entered. Cordelia walked towards them in her known manner, but they sensed pride and respect in her stride. She had entered and completed their circle of friends, but the first words that befell her lips, caused the circle to stumble and long-forgotten fears caused their hearts to tremble. Her words and her voice echoed in their minds as she spoke, "It's not closed anymore..." ********************** End of part 2 _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Kirstin" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Fallen (1/?) Date: 06 Apr 1998 19:22:31 -0400 title: Fallen (1/1) rating: strictly G or PG here. nothing anybody can't read. disclaimer: these characters are joss's, the wb's, mutant enemy's, anyone else who has a valid claim that i don't know about's property. they aren't mine. neither is the stuff from Gone . . ., Anya's story, which this is a sequel to. the ideas here, however, are mine. please don't steal them distribution: ask and ye shall receive. feedback: pretty please with a cherry on top. comments: mad props and thanks to all of the people who beta-read for me and sent me nice comments last time i sent this. Leslie, Taygeta, Michelle, Divine1798, and hjrobert, you are the best humans ever! i adore you! well, that's the cookies talkin', but you rock! :) There is no statute of limitations on forever, she told herself. You told him you love him. You have to honor that. But it was getting harder. So much had changed, in the month since he had left, in the weeks since she had. Things were completely different; she was completely different. And maybe somewhere inside she would always love him, but a different kind of love than she used to think. She had grown up with him, no matter how far apart they were, they would always be best friends. But she was beginning to see that distance really did matter, and that it wouldn't mean that she loved him less, if she let herself love someone else more. Buffy. How could she do this to Buffy? That was a completely different issue. She knew that Xander had never loved her the way she loved him. She wasn't betraying him. But she was betraying Buffy. In such a short time, the girls had grown so close. Buffy had opened her eyes, shown her things that she never knew existed. Willow had grown up a lot through their friendship, but she had grown even more when it ended. There was no way she could justify this. It was nothing but betrayal. Even though Angel and Buffy had never let themselves get too close, Willow knew that Buffy was in love. How could she do that to her best friend, even if Buffy and Angel would never see each other again? How could she ignore what she knew was right? But maybe Buffy and Angel weren't meant to be, Willow thought. After all, isn't he everything she is fighting against? It never would have worked out in the long run. They couldn't have had a future. A vampire and the slayer, that's practically the definition of star-crossed. Willow, on the other hand, knew exactly what Angel went through. She knew the bloodlust, and the guilt after. She knew what it was to be everything that she hated in the world, and together maybe they could make things work out. Maybe they did have a chance . . . Angel doesn't even want me, Willow decided. There is no way we have a chance. Just because I decided to be an awful person and turn against all of my friends doesn't mean that he has. He loves Buffy. I am just a friend. He wouldn't even have come with me, but he probably wanted to watch me in case I went full out vamp. Giles just made him come along to stake me if I started any problems. That's all it is. But when he looks at me now, it's different. Softer. It's like he has noticed that I'm changing too. I'm not the girl I used to be. I feel older, a lot less naive. And when I see myself, what little of myself I can still see in the mirror, I look different too. There's something there that wasn't there before. And I like it. I think I'm finally starting to see myself as beautiful. And someday maybe I'll find someone to love me like I love him . . . maybe someday Angel might fall in love with me, like I'm falling in love with him. ***** This hadn't just started. It wasn't like he woke up last week and thought, hmm, maybe Willow. And it wasn't just because Buffy was gone, or because Willow was a vampire. There was more to it. In a way, it had always been there. He and Willow had always gotten along. She was the one to stick up for him. And she had always been beautiful. That was definite. But there was something new. Something in the way that she carried herself, something behind her eyes. She looked older, wiser, and a little more sure of herself. In the middle of all of her problems, she had really grown up and found herself. Willow could always make the best of a bad situation. She was smart, and fun, and he loved being around her. He had always known that, too. What he hadn't always known though, what he was beginning to discover, was that he was falling in love with her, with Willow. If he really thought about it, he had probably started to notice sometime just before Buffy and Xander had gone on their respective vacations. He, Willow, Giles, Jenny, and Cordelia had thrown a makeshift goodbye party for the departing Slayer and Slayerette. He remembered one point in the evening when he was alone with Willow, setting up for the party. They were getting out the cake, setting up plates and glasses, the usual pre-party fare. At some point in their stream of idle conversation, Willow said something that made him take notice. "I can't believe they're going to be gone for so long! Xander is leaving tomorrow, and Buffy just a few days after. I guess I'll get good at doing research, since I'll be all alone for a month, I can catch up on my prophecies or something. Bye-bye hanging out and having fun," Willow said sadly. "Don't worry Willow; I promise a lot of hanging out and having fun this summer. As long as 241 year old dead guys are your style," Angel answered with a laugh. "I guess that could be included in my definition of fun," she said, brightening up. "Maybe we could go Bronzing sometimes?" she asked hopefully. "Sure," he answered, "I'd love to dance with you." I wonder if she saw then what I saw, Angel thought. I wonder if the same forbidden thoughts were running through her mind then, and later. We spent so much time together. By day, she was Giles' research girl, but at night, she was mine. Did she feel it too? When we did the rounds at night, did the same feelings tug at her soul as tugged at mine? I just wanted to be with her, all the time. She had to know. God, I was so obvious sometimes! I acted like a sixteen-year-old, not a 241-year vampire. It's a good thing that vampires don't sweat. She would have noticed my damp palms dancing at the Bronze. I love holding her close like that, her tiny body folded into mine. It was all I could do not to kiss her then, even before everything happened and I knew I would never see Buffy again. Even if this had never happened, I would have had to end things with Buffy when she got back. I wouldn't have approached Willow, I couldn't put that strain on their friendship, but I also couldn't allow myself to lead Buffy on like that. I knew even then that she wasn't the one I loved. When Willow didn't answer my call the night they got her, I was trapped in fear. I ran through the city, looking everywhere I thought she might be. Finally, I reached the Anointed One's lair. I remember her, lying on the ground. She was passed out, sick. She was so cold when I picked her up. What if she had been dead? Well, in a way, she was dead. The fear raced through me. Thank god Giles was home when I got there. He found a pulse, a quiet low pulse. So we waited. I think he might have known how I feel about her. He could see it. I know that there is nothing for her in Europe. There are no Rom to cure her. She is what she is forever. I think Giles knows that too, but neither of us could tell Willow. This is her last hope. Maybe there is something there though, something that will reassure her, even if it won't cure her. She has a lot of fighting to do. Together though, I know we can get through it. I can help her control her urges, and she can help me with mine. We're good for each other. Sunnydale was bad for both of us. That's why I filled her head with hopes of an anchor for her soul. In Sunnydale, she would have driven a stake into her heart eventually, or forced Buffy to do it for her. She couldn't have handled being what she was, a Slayerette who should have been one of the slain. Giles and I knew that to keep her alive, we had to keep her away from home. And so we're going to Europe. We're going together. I hope that someday, we can truly be together. Maybe someday Willow might fall in love with me, like I've fallen in love with her. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Kirstin" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Fallen (1/?) Date: 06 Apr 1998 19:22:31 -0400 title: Fallen (1/1) rating: strictly G or PG here. nothing anybody can't read. disclaimer: these characters are joss's, the wb's, mutant enemy's, anyone else who has a valid claim that i don't know about's property. they aren't mine. neither is the stuff from Gone . . ., Anya's story, which this is a sequel to. the ideas here, however, are mine. please don't steal them distribution: ask and ye shall receive. feedback: pretty please with a cherry on top. comments: mad props and thanks to all of the people who beta-read for me and sent me nice comments last time i sent this. Leslie, Taygeta, Michelle, Divine1798, and hjrobert, you are the best humans ever! i adore you! well, that's the cookies talkin', but you rock! :) There is no statute of limitations on forever, she told herself. You told him you love him. You have to honor that. But it was getting harder. So much had changed, in the month since he had left, in the weeks since she had. Things were completely different; she was completely different. And maybe somewhere inside she would always love him, but a different kind of love than she used to think. She had grown up with him, no matter how far apart they were, they would always be best friends. But she was beginning to see that distance really did matter, and that it wouldn't mean that she loved him less, if she let herself love someone else more. Buffy. How could she do this to Buffy? That was a completely different issue. She knew that Xander had never loved her the way she loved him. She wasn't betraying him. But she was betraying Buffy. In such a short time, the girls had grown so close. Buffy had opened her eyes, shown her things that she never knew existed. Willow had grown up a lot through their friendship, but she had grown even more when it ended. There was no way she could justify this. It was nothing but betrayal. Even though Angel and Buffy had never let themselves get too close, Willow knew that Buffy was in love. How could she do that to her best friend, even if Buffy and Angel would never see each other again? How could she ignore what she knew was right? But maybe Buffy and Angel weren't meant to be, Willow thought. After all, isn't he everything she is fighting against? It never would have worked out in the long run. They couldn't have had a future. A vampire and the slayer, that's practically the definition of star-crossed. Willow, on the other hand, knew exactly what Angel went through. She knew the bloodlust, and the guilt after. She knew what it was to be everything that she hated in the world, and together maybe they could make things work out. Maybe they did have a chance . . . Angel doesn't even want me, Willow decided. There is no way we have a chance. Just because I decided to be an awful person and turn against all of my friends doesn't mean that he has. He loves Buffy. I am just a friend. He wouldn't even have come with me, but he probably wanted to watch me in case I went full out vamp. Giles just made him come along to stake me if I started any problems. That's all it is. But when he looks at me now, it's different. Softer. It's like he has noticed that I'm changing too. I'm not the girl I used to be. I feel older, a lot less naive. And when I see myself, what little of myself I can still see in the mirror, I look different too. There's something there that wasn't there before. And I like it. I think I'm finally starting to see myself as beautiful. And someday maybe I'll find someone to love me like I love him . . . maybe someday Angel might fall in love with me, like I'm falling in love with him. ***** This hadn't just started. It wasn't like he woke up last week and thought, hmm, maybe Willow. And it wasn't just because Buffy was gone, or because Willow was a vampire. There was more to it. In a way, it had always been there. He and Willow had always gotten along. She was the one to stick up for him. And she had always been beautiful. That was definite. But there was something new. Something in the way that she carried herself, something behind her eyes. She looked older, wiser, and a little more sure of herself. In the middle of all of her problems, she had really grown up and found herself. Willow could always make the best of a bad situation. She was smart, and fun, and he loved being around her. He had always known that, too. What he hadn't always known though, what he was beginning to discover, was that he was falling in love with her, with Willow. If he really thought about it, he had probably started to notice sometime just before Buffy and Xander had gone on their respective vacations. He, Willow, Giles, Jenny, and Cordelia had thrown a makeshift goodbye party for the departing Slayer and Slayerette. He remembered one point in the evening when he was alone with Willow, setting up for the party. They were getting out the cake, setting up plates and glasses, the usual pre-party fare. At some point in their stream of idle conversation, Willow said something that made him take notice. "I can't believe they're going to be gone for so long! Xander is leaving tomorrow, and Buffy just a few days after. I guess I'll get good at doing research, since I'll be all alone for a month, I can catch up on my prophecies or something. Bye-bye hanging out and having fun," Willow said sadly. "Don't worry Willow; I promise a lot of hanging out and having fun this summer. As long as 241 year old dead guys are your style," Angel answered with a laugh. "I guess that could be included in my definition of fun," she said, brightening up. "Maybe we could go Bronzing sometimes?" she asked hopefully. "Sure," he answered, "I'd love to dance with you." I wonder if she saw then what I saw, Angel thought. I wonder if the same forbidden thoughts were running through her mind then, and later. We spent so much time together. By day, she was Giles' research girl, but at night, she was mine. Did she feel it too? When we did the rounds at night, did the same feelings tug at her soul as tugged at mine? I just wanted to be with her, all the time. She had to know. God, I was so obvious sometimes! I acted like a sixteen-year-old, not a 241-year vampire. It's a good thing that vampires don't sweat. She would have noticed my damp palms dancing at the Bronze. I love holding her close like that, her tiny body folded into mine. It was all I could do not to kiss her then, even before everything happened and I knew I would never see Buffy again. Even if this had never happened, I would have had to end things with Buffy when she got back. I wouldn't have approached Willow, I couldn't put that strain on their friendship, but I also couldn't allow myself to lead Buffy on like that. I knew even then that she wasn't the one I loved. When Willow didn't answer my call the night they got her, I was trapped in fear. I ran through the city, looking everywhere I thought she might be. Finally, I reached the Anointed One's lair. I remember her, lying on the ground. She was passed out, sick. She was so cold when I picked her up. What if she had been dead? Well, in a way, she was dead. The fear raced through me. Thank god Giles was home when I got there. He found a pulse, a quiet low pulse. So we waited. I think he might have known how I feel about her. He could see it. I know that there is nothing for her in Europe. There are no Rom to cure her. She is what she is forever. I think Giles knows that too, but neither of us could tell Willow. This is her last hope. Maybe there is something there though, something that will reassure her, even if it won't cure her. She has a lot of fighting to do. Together though, I know we can get through it. I can help her control her urges, and she can help me with mine. We're good for each other. Sunnydale was bad for both of us. That's why I filled her head with hopes of an anchor for her soul. In Sunnydale, she would have driven a stake into her heart eventually, or forced Buffy to do it for her. She couldn't have handled being what she was, a Slayerette who should have been one of the slain. Giles and I knew that to keep her alive, we had to keep her away from home. And so we're going to Europe. We're going together. I hope that someday, we can truly be together. Maybe someday Willow might fall in love with me, like I've fallen in love with her. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC:The Watcher(1/?) Date: 07 Apr 1998 17:06:45 EDT The Watcher (1/?) by Jaclyn Amy TITLE: The Watcher AUTHOR: Jaclyn Amy@aol.com RATING: PG/PG-13 SUMMARY: This takes place four years later while the Buffy gang is attending Montague University near Sunnydale. Angel’s soul has been permanently restored, and he is 100% human. Jenny Calendar is still alive. Buffy will be getting a new Watcher. DISTRIBUTION: Ask me first. DISCLAIMER: I own none of the characters from or the movie or show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They were created by Joss Wheden and are owned by 20th Century Fox, Sandollar Television, Mutant Enemy, etc. No infringement intended. FEEDBACK: Please be nice; I’m still a newbie. Buffy lay awake, thinking, in Angel’s arms at 5:30 in the morning. Everything had happened so fast: graduation from high school, deciding to go to Montague University about fifteen minutes from Sunnydale, moving into their rented house with Willow, Cordelia, Xander, Oz, and Angel, and finishing up her Junior year of college. Willow had almost gone of to Columbia, but she thought it more important to help Buffy save the world from vampires than go to an ivy-league school and move on with her life. For some reason, Buffy felt like it wasn’t her choice; it was her destiny to stay near Willow. Realizing how important it was for all of them to stay together, she urged the others to rent out a house close to the campus. Cordelia and Willow shared a room, as did Xander and Oz. Buffy got her own room, and Angel often stayed with her. Giles, on the other hand, did not live with the kids. He had become a librarian at Montague but stayed in his house in Sunnydale. He visited the house often, and there was always a room made up for him, but he mostly stayed at home since Jenny Calendar, his new wife, was pregnant. Everything, Buffy knew, would change soon. Once the Watcher became a parent, they are relieved of their duty. That day was bound to come soon, for Jenny was due in less than a month. //What would the new one be like?// thought Buffy. //Will he/she accept Angel as my boyfriend? Will Giles leave my life forever?// She shuttered at the thought. She and Giles had become so close over the years. He was like the father she never saw. //But I’m going to have to let go, right? It’s not fair to Giles. He deserves his own life now, doesn’t he? Just like someday, when Angel and I have a child, I’ll deserve my life back.// She got out of bed, put on her robe, and walked out onto the balcony outside her window. From there she saw the ocean waves crash against the shore. "What’s wrong?" Angel asked as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She sighed. "I miss Giles already even though he’s not yet gone. I’m worried about my new Watcher. I, I, I feel like something’s coming, but I don’t know what." "Something bad?" "I’m not sure. I think it has to do with the changing of Watchers, though." "Why don’t you give Giles a call?" "Because, he’s right over there." She pointed towards Giles’s small car parking in the driveway. They quickly woke the rest of the group and met Giles in the living room. They could tell by his face that this news was causing him bewilderment. "Um, I, I, I have some very interesting news for you, Buffy. I have tracked down your, your knew Watcher, and the name was a surprise, even for me. It’s rather interesting-" "Giles," Buffy cut him off, "who is it?" "I, I think you all better sit down." The group did as told. "From what I have concluded, the next Watcher in line is Willow Rosenberg." End Part 1 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: HOPE!!!! Date: 07 Apr 1998 15:17:29 PDT Okay...my story parts were too long and I can't send them to the list! Sorry for the missing parts! They will becoming soon... Sara ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: HOPE!!!! Date: 07 Apr 1998 15:17:48 PDT Okay...my story parts were too long and I can't send them to the list! Sorry for the missing parts! They will becoming soon... Sara ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope Part 1 of 42/45 Date: 07 Apr 1998 15:29:31 PDT Author: Sara B. Sara114@hotmail.com Title: Hope Discl: I don't own em! I had to separate each part into two emails because they were too long. Sorry for the inconvenience! Part 42 PG-13 Hope managed to muster the strength to crawl over to Buffy. She reached out and grasped her hand, squeezing gently. Sobs racked her body. “I’m sorry,” she cried. “I’m so sorry.” Her body grew numb till she couldn’t feel herself. She pulled Buffy’s body close to her and weeped, her tears falling on the small pale face. “Oh God, I let you die,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry,” she repeated, feeling more anguish than she had ever felt before. Giles, still in shock, slowly walked over to Hope, taking Buffy from her arms. Carrying his Slayer to the edge of the cavern by the door, he held her in his arms. Joyce screamed out in grief. “NNOOOOOOOO!!!” She sobbed, agony filling her aching heart. She tugged at the chains that restricted her from her daughter, tearing her flesh till she was bleeding. The pain that ripped through her soul was like her insides were being torn out of her body. Bile clogged her throat as she leaned over and regurgitated onto the floor beside her. A pain more intense than a thousand knives stung at her, and she withered against the wall, trying to forget the horrendous death of her only daughter. Xander watched her and scurried to her, releasing her from the binding irons. She ran to Buffy and snatched her daughter from Giles arms. Sobbing uncontrollably, she rocked back and forth, moaning. Hope stood up, no longer crying. She wiped the tears from her eyes and stared at Angel. The hatred that swarmed through her flesh was a vicious loathing that erupted from the depths of her soul. A fierce, violent rage pumped through her veins. Her tears stopped, and the mournful look in her eyes was replaced by a furious one. Her voice, hoarse and raspy, spoke quietly to the vampire that stood before her. “You will die.” Her chest heaved and she stood with a vengeance that could rival no other. Hope punched him hard to the face with one hand, then the other, repeatedly till her knuckles bled, but she felt no pain. Grabbing his hair, she slammed his head into the wall. The strong rock crumbled beneath the blow. She spun with increased momentum and gave him a roundhouse kick to the face. She spun again, and kicked him in the stomach. He stumbled back, and she pulled out a small bottle of holy water out of her pocket. She splashed it on his chest. Angel screamed from the fierce burning of his skin. She punched him three times in the stomach, and he staggered back in pain. Running at him, she jumped up and kicked him in the neck, sending him flying backwards into the pond. Angel staggered out of the water and looked at her. She tried to punch him, but he grabbed her arm in mid swing and flipped her over onto the ground. Hope let out a painful breath. Angel reached down for her, but Hope kicked up with both legs into Angel’s face and made him fall backward onto the floor. They both scramble to their feet again. Hope did a roundhouse kick to Angel’s face. He fell again, but hopped right back to his feet. Angel tried to advance toward Hope again, but stopped in mid stride. Her necklace glowed brighter than ever and he knew that she was dangerous. Hope’s power matched his own. How, he didn’t know, but he did know that this wasn’t going to be an easy fight. Hope stared into his cold, emotionless eyes. She was becoming increasingly strong, and with her strength she was more brutal. She noticed him staring at her necklace, and saw it’s bright glow. It illuminated the Lair. < My necklace > < Wait a minute....that’s it! > At that moment Hope realized what she needed to save Angel. Her necklace. It was the key to his greatest wish. < What do I do? > She closed her eyes and grabbed the bright pendant, focusing on it’s energy. A gust of wind entered the silent lair, blowing out some of the candles. A soothing voice came into her head. *Put it on him*. < Wait, he doesn’t deserve to live. I can’t save him > She thought angrily, looking at the body of her friend. < No. I have to. I have to save him > Remembering the words of her parents, she make the hardest decision in her life. She opened her eyes. He was staring at her her. < I have to save him. I have to sacrifice my own life for his > Hope grabbed the pendant, feeling it’s warm vibes. Knowing what she had to do, she unclasped it and pulled it off her neck. Giles watched her and his heart thudded. “Hope, NO!” He yelled, but it was too late. He watched in fear and terror, not wanting to lose her too. She ran and flipped over Angel, landing directly behind him. She jumped on his back, and pulled the necklace around his neck, and clasped it. He reached around and pushed her off of him. Hope felt her body grow incredibly weak, and tried to run over to Giles, but collapsed in mid stride. Pain engulfed her, and she felt herself beginning to lose her life. She tried to crawl to him, but her body lacked the energy. Xander dashed to her and grabbed Hope, pulling her away from the raging vampire. Angel screamed in anger. His voice was shattering, and he clutched the necklace, trying to pull it off his neck. Smoke came from his hands as it burned into his hands. The demon within him was struggling with his soul. Angel’s body flew across the room and slammed into a rock wall. He fell to the ground in convulsions. Hope, Giles, and Xander watched in horror as Angel withered in pain. All of a sudden, a ghastly scream erupted from his body. In all their life they had never heard anything like it’s terrifying sound, and they never would again. It would stay with them till they died. It was the sound of pain, agony, and defeat. The demon lost, and his soul was home. Silence filled the room. Hope looked at Giles, who sat silently. “He’s saved,” she whispered. “Tell my parents that I did it,” her voice cracked with emotion. She reached for Buffy’s hand and grasped it just as she did before. Hope squeezed her eyes shut tight and a bright orange light illuminated between their palms. Hope whispered, “Give her life,” and squeezed harder. The orange light filled Buffy’s body till she was glowing from head to toe. Her eyes opened, and she smiled at Giles. “I’ll miss you all,” she said. “Tell Buffy I love her.” Her eyes filled with tears as they fluttered shut. The grasp she had on Buffy’s hand weakened, and her frail body went limp. The tears of Joyce, Xander, and Giles fell onto Buffy’s face, just as her eyelids fluttered open. She looked at Hope’s body, and at Angel’s curled up figure. “Why are you crying?” Her hoarse voice asked, gazing into the faces of her friends. Three sets of eyes popped open. “You’re alive!” Joyce exclaimed, and hugged her. Relief flooded her, and her blazing pain ceased. “I thought I lost you.” Buffy leaned back and looked into her eyes. “What happened?” She looked over at Hope’s lifeless figure. “Oh no,” She whispered, looking back at her mother. “Is she dead?” Joyce choked back a sob. “Yes, honey. She died.” Buffy’s eyes filled with tears and she began to weep. “How....how did...” “She died giving you life,” Giles said softly. Buffy stared into is aged eyes. “What?” She asked. “She died for me?” Giles nodded, and Buffy turned back and looked at the body that lay before her. Loosening herself from her mother’s tight hold, she crawled over to Hope. Taking the small hand in hers, she kissed it gently, her tears covering her lips and blanketing her damp face. “I let you down,” she whispered. “I promised you that you would make it out of here alive, but I didn’t keep my promise. I’m so sorry.” She held onto Hope’s hand, mourning her body with intense feeling of guilt. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope Part 1 of 43/45 Date: 07 Apr 1998 15:34:41 PDT A: Sara B. T: Hope D: I don't own 'em! Part 43 PG The warm sun danced on Buffy’s face as she opened her eyes to greet the morning. She smiled, returning the cheerful hello. Yawning, she looked over at the small table that stood next to her bed, and saw the two claddagh rings sitting side by side. It was then that she remembered. The harsh reality of the previous nights hit her like a ton of bricks. Her throat tightened up and the tears rushed to her eyes, but she held them back, refusing to cry. Slowly she sat up in her warm bed and felt the soft, cozy green flannel sheets rub against her legs. Buffy propped a pillow up and leaned against it, her head resting against the wall. She looked at her window. Angel’s window, as she liked to call it. The one where he would sit in the night and watch over her as she slept, protecting her, like a guardian Angel. Frowning, she looked away from it, realizing he would never sit on that windowsill again. Glancing over at her mirror, she stared at her unfamiliar reflection. Tired, red, puffy eyes that looked well worn beyond their years, and a pale, sickly complexion. Her parched, dry lips shown of a light pale pink. Her hair hung limply around her face. She grabbed a scrunchie and pulled it back. A soft knock interrupted her thoughts and the comforting face of her mother peeked through the crack in the door. “My I come in?” She asked, hopefully. Buffy nodded. “Of course you can.” Joyce entered her room and slowly sat down on the bed. “How are you this morning?” “It hurts,” she replied simply, the tears that had previously threatened to run down her face emerging. “I know, honey. I’m sorry,” she said, taking her daughters hand. “I can’t believe I lost them both,” she whispered, the pain in her heart growing. Buffy looked up into her eyes. “Did he...I mean...um...Do you.....know---a..about...me?” She asked reluctantly. Joyce gave her a soothing smile. “Yes, I know. Angel told me.” “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you--Giles said that I would be endangering you if I told you I was the Slayer and I wanted to----” “Buffy, Buffy, calm down. I understand. You don’t have to explain,” she said. “I just feel bad about all the times I got mad at you and called you irresponsible when you had the weight of the world on your shoulders.” Buffy shook her head. “It’s okay. You didn’t know what was going on. I wanted to tell you, I really did. It was hard keeping all of that to myself. I’m so sorry. I mean---” Joyce held up her hand, silencing her daughter. “Shhh...” she said. “Like I said, don’t apologize.” Buffy nodded, but guilt still weighed heavily over her. “Let’s not talk about this right now. We’ll have this conversation later. There is still a lot to be worked out. I want to know all about Slayers and vampires.” Buffy smiled weakly. “Well you’d better prepare yourself. There is a LOT to tell.” Joyce gave a small laugh. “Do Xander and Willow know about you?” “Yeah, they’ve know since we moved here,” Buffy said. Her mind flashed to the car accident. “Willow and Cordelia, are they okay?” She asked, worried. “I spoke with Giles earlier this morning. They will be fine. Willow went home last night with a badly sprained wrist, and Cordelia will be released in two weeks. The muscles in her leg need to heal, and she might have to have some physical therapy,” Joyce told her. “And Miss Calendar? Is she okay?” Buffy asked. She nodded. “Yes, she is fine. It was just a mild concussion.” Buffy breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m so glad they are okay. I was really worried. I should probably go to the library and talk to Giles,” Buffy said, throwing back her covers, attempting to get up. Joyce pushed her back down and put the covers back on her. Buffy gave her a confused look. “Giles said that he will call you later. You need to stay in bed and get your rest. You gave us all a scare last night...” Joyce said, shuddering. She thought back to the moment Buffy died. “You died last night.” “Again,” Buffy uttered, wincing. Joyce opened her eyes wide. “What do you mean, again?” She gulped, feeling her cheeks turn a rosy shade of pink. “I, um, well, kinda sorta died last year. But only for a minute!” She exclaimed. “You died?!” Joyce asked, her heart thudding. “Well, yeah. That will be another thing I will have to explain to you,” Buffy said sheepishly. “Buffy, I don’t know WHAT I’m going to do with you!” Joyce said, smiling despite her uneasiness at the knowledge that Buffy died twice. “Listen, would you like me to get you anything? Juice? Water? Something to eat?” Buffy thought for a moment. “I’ll take my usual.” “Two parts orange, one part grapefruit. I’m on it,” Joyce said, and got up to leave. Buffy pulled her back onto the bed for a hug. Grasping her mother, she felt at that moment an evanescent peace. “I love you, Mom,” she whispered. “I love you too, honey.” After a few moments, Joyce pulled away. “You know I will always be there for you.” “I know.” “I’ll be right back,” she said, and Buffy nodded. Joyce stood up slowly. Walking to the door she glanced back at Buffy, who stared at her window. The distant look in her sorrowful eyes broke Joyce’s heart. Closing the door behind her, she inwardly sighed. < So much pain for someone so young. I hope she will be able to get over this > ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope Part 2 of 42/45 Date: 07 Apr 1998 15:31:19 PDT 2/42/45 “Buffy?” A weak voice asked. She spun around to look at Angel’s teary eyes. Scrambling over to him, she could see the beautiful soul that had once been gone. Buffy choked back her sob, and she embraced Angel. “You’re back,” she whispered. “Buffy, I love you. Don’t ever forget that,” he said, clutching his chest. Buffy pulled back and looked at him. “I won’t. I love you with all of my heart.” She stared into his eyes, and saw sadness behind the pools of tears. “What’s wrong?” Angel trembled, and held up his head. Opening his palm, he revealed their claddagh rings. “My ring!” Buffy exclaimed, a look of joy on her face. Angel gazed into Buffy’s eyes, and his crimson lips turned into a small smile. Her took her hand and slipped it onto her finger. Angel pulled away, and put his ring into her hand. “I want to you have this,” he said, his face full of grief. “Buffy.....I’m dying,” he uttered. Shocked, she stared at him in disbelief. “What do you mean?” Angel broke down and cried. “I love you with all of my heart. I’m sorry for everything I did. I never deserved you’re love. I did so many horrible things in my life, and you forgave me for all of them.” “Angel,” Buffy bawled, her voice racked with sobs. “You’re not going to die.” He kissed her hand, and her lips gently. “You have to promise me something,” he said. “Anything,” she whispered, her tears falling onto his chest. “Don’t ever forget my love for you. You have been what has kept me alive. You were my reason to live,” he whispered, his voice growing weaker by each word. “Live the life you want to live. I want you to promise me you will move on.” His deep soulful eyes pleaded with hers. “Promise me, Buffy.” Angel winced as an excruciating pain shot through him, his body shuddering. She nodded her head. “I promise.” “Please don’t ever forget me,” he said, his voice rasping. “Don’t leave me, Angel,” Buffy sobbed. She leaned in and kissed him passionately, holding on to him as tightly as she could, afraid to let go. Angel leaned his head back onto the ground, slowly closing his eyes. Feeling her teardrops on his eyelids, he opened them slightly, and murmured, “I love you,” before he drifted off into an endless sleep. Buffy leaned her head down, lightly brushing her lips against his. She leaned back, staring at his lifeless body. The silence that hung over the lair was heavy with anguished sorrow as Angel’s body turned to dust. Buffy collapsed with sobs, digging her fingernails into the soft earth where his ashes lay. She sobbed but no more tears came. Joyce slowly walked to her daughters heaving body. She gently pulled Buffy to her feet and hugged her tightly, softly stroking her hair. She knew that in no way could she comfort her right now. “Oh Mom, I lost them both,” she cried into Joyce’s shoulder. Xander stood up, Hope’s body in his arms. He took a deep breath, holding in his anguish. He gazed down into Hope’s pale face, noticing how beautiful she was. Her hair a golden yellow, her lips the color of a pink rose in bloom, her long, black eyelashes covering her sparkling emerald eyes. He felt his lip quivering, no longer able to hold in the tears which now heartily flowed from his mahogany brown eyes. Buffy watched him over her mother’s shoulder. She had never seen Xander display this kind of emotion, but was not surprised by his sadness. He looked up and saw her staring at him. His heart broke into a million pieces seeing her in grief. Their eyes stayed locked together, mentally comforting one another. If he could, Xander would take her pain away, until she was happy again. Until her face bore that radiant smile and those sparkling eyes that it usually did. Staring into his eyes, Buffy felt a momentary solace in his presence. She managed a weak smile, which he readily returned. Xander felt Hope become suddenly light in his eyes and stared down at the body in his arms, gaping in shock. “Oh my.....” his voice trailed off, unable to continue speaking. Hope’s body began to disappear, slowly fading away. They watched she became transparent, her body becoming almost crystalline. A soft, white glow penetrated from her as she became hazy. A bright light broke from within her, blinding Xander. At that moment, she vanished from his arms. Xander looked at his arms, not believing what he just saw. “Where did she go?” He asked, confusion and shock chiseling his face. He looked at Giles, who was speechless. “I...I don’t know,” he said calmly, trying to think of any possible explanation, but none came to mind. “That was the most amazing thing I have ever seen.” Buffy shuddered, realizing how cold she was. Her mother held her tightly, and looked at Giles. “I think we should get out of here,” she said, not letting go of her sorrowful daughter. Giles nodded slightly, and slowly the four friends walked out of the lair. Before Buffy walked through the door, she looked back at the place where Angel died, taking in his lingering scent that filled the hollow caverns of the Hellmouth. Her heart tore into two pieces as her mother urged her to leave. “I’ll never forget,” she whispered into the air. Buffy reluctantly turned her head to face Xander’s outstretched hand. She grasped it tightly, and he lead her out into the night. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope 1 of 44/45 Date: 07 Apr 1998 15:39:06 PDT A: Sara B. T: Hope D: I don't own 'em! Part 44 PG If you get offended by religion, I’d advise you not to read this. Buffy looked at her clock. 10:00 a.m. Almost two days since she first learned about the fate of Angel, since she first met Hope. Her thoughts wandered to Darla. She was still in a bit of shock at seeing her alive and well. < At lease I killed her. I only wished I had done the same to Spike and Drusilla > She thought. Buffy had searched the old caverns for the two vampires, but all she found were three minions, and she took care of them easily. < Where the hell did they go? > Her anger began to build at the thought of Spike and Drusilla still alive. They caused her so much pain..... They took away Angel. < Angel is gone. I will never see him again > She stared at the window. < We never made love....I wanted to give myself to him > She shook her head, trying to rid her head of those thought. No matter how hard she tried to push him out of her head, her thoughts always came back to him. The feel of his arms around her body, his lips on hers, his fingers in her hair....the warmth and security she felt when he was around. It was all gone. Her heart had been torn into a million pieces when she watched him turn to dust. When she watched the most important thing in her life die. When her world fell apart. < NO! I won’t let that happen. I promised him I would move on. And I will do that....I will move on...> Buffy threw back the covers and stood up. Her knees felt like putty and she grasped onto the bedpost for support until she felt strong enough to walk. Her loss of blood had weakened her, and it would be a few days until she was back up to full strength. If it had been anyone else--they would have died. She walked to her closet and dressed herself, putting on a pair of shorts and a dark blue tank top. Flipping on her stereo, she walked to her mirror listening to the morning DJ announce the news. “For local news, Sunnydale High School is closed for repairs. Apparently, the generator was tampered with, causing the power to shut off. Officials say a wooden stake was shoved into it, causing enough damage to keep the power out for a week. Repairs will start tomorrow, and hopefully the school will re-open next week.” Buffy smirked slightly, imagining the priceless look on Snyder’s face when he found out. She looked into the mirror, brushing her hair. Her bare face stared back at hers, and she realized she wasn’t wearing her cross. Picking up the silver cross Angel had given to her, she put it round her neck. Buffy grabbed the two claddagh rings and in her palm, and kissed them, then slowly placed one on each hand. Gazing at her reflection, she wiped her tears away. “Buffy....” a voice whispered as a gust of wind blew through her open window. Her skin crawled with a shudder. < That voice...I know that voice...> Slowly bringing her head up, her heart stopped completely. “Angel!!!” She gasped, nearly jumping out of her skin at the site of his reflection in her mirror. She couldn’t take her eyes off of him. He stood by the window, the angelic smile lightening up his face. He held his hand outstretched to her. Buffy....” he whispered again, urging her to come to him. Her heart raced and she spun around, eager to see him. Disappointment stabbed her heart as she looked around the room to find herself alone. She stared at the spot where he had stood, desperate to see him, but knowing he wasn’t there. She turned back to the mirror, his image gone. “He was there...” Buffy said quietly to herself, trying to manage her heartbreak. She leaned against her dresser, thinking of the bizarre occurrence. “And now for the number one song of the week. The movie has been at the top of the box office since it’s release in December, and the song, sung by the beautiful Celine Dione, along with the soundtrack, is number one in America. Here is “My Heart Will Go On” from “Titanic”. “Every night in my dreams, I see you, I feel you, That is how I know you go on. Far across the distance and spaces between us You have come to show you go on. Near, Far, where ever you are I believe that the heart does go on Once more, you open the door And you’re here in my heart, And my heart will go on and on. Buffy listened to the sorrowful melody with more of a familiarity than she would have liked to have. Her soul ached and it felt like her insides were being ripped from her body as a knife punctured her still beating heart. Love can touch us one time and last for a lifetime, And never let go till we’re gone. Love was when I loved you, one true time I hold to. In my life we’ll always go on. In a fit of sobs she slammed her hand against the ‘off’ button on her stereo, the force almost knocking the unit off the shelf. She quickly pulled on her white Keds and bolted out the door. Buffy ran to the stairs, tripping over a bag that lay in her path. She fell down the first two steps, but grasped onto the railing and pulled herself up. Running down the rest of the steps, Buffy nearly knocked her mother over as she got to the bottom. “Honey! What’s the matter?!” Joyce yelled, intensely worried. Buffy ignored her flew open the front door. She ran and ran, not stopping until the pain in her body forced her to. Looking around, she realized she was in the park. Her chest heaving, Buffy tried to catch her breath between the sobs that engulfed her. She walked to the lake that resided in the midst of a few benches, trees, and patches of grass. The glistening, cerulean water sparkled under the hot morning sun. The sky was an endless terrain of pale blue, and the air seemed fresh with new life ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope 2 of 44/45 Date: 07 Apr 1998 15:41:08 PDT A: Sara B. T: Hope D: I don't own 'em! 2/44/45 Buffy slowly sat down on a bench, watching the ducks swim happily, like they had no cares in the world. Wiping her tears, she sniffled, and took a deep breath. “Oh!” She exclaimed, feeling something furry rub against her legs. Buffy and looked down to see a white fluffy kitten purring heartily next to her. She smiled, and it looked up at her, meowing. “Hi there, kitty,” she said, petting its soft fur. She picked him up, and he rubbed his head along her cheek affectionately. “What’s your name?” She asked, feeling for a collar but finding none. The kitten’s eyes were like shiny pools of blue, and it’s fur was like a snow bank. He purred in content as he lay on the bench beside her. “You look like an Angel,” she whispered, noticing the cats angelic features. “That’s what I’ll call you. Angel.” Buffy stood up, and stretched her legs. A warm, tingling sensation crept through her body. The same feeling she got when a vampire was near. She turned around, finding herself alone. Shuddering, Buffy looked to see that the kitten was gone. Frowning, she searched for him. Seeing him over by a tree, she called for him. “Here, kitty kitty. Here Angel. Come here.” Buffy watched him trot across the street, and up the stairs of an old church that had been deserted for some time. “Why is he going in there?” She asked aloud, following the small kitten. He looked at her from the top of the stairs, and ran in through the ajar door. She wanted very much to follow him, but the old building slightly frightened her. It was Sunnydale’s oldest and largest church, strangely out of place in the small town. The church resembled an old 17th century gothic cathedral. It was built over two hundred years ago, and still stood grandly. Tall towers with tiers of openings and slender stone spires marked it’s illustrious exterior. Along the sides flying buttresses stood out from the wall and bore pinnacles and tracery as well as carved figures and fantastic gargoyles. At the doors at the end of the nave, were elaborate symbolic sculptural compositions of Biblical scenes and saints. Above there was a huge round stained-glass rose window. The large doors at it’s entrance were over ten feet tall, and were painstakingly carved with elaborate detail. Above the door, a phrase was carved in the stone. “Non nobis, Domine, non nobis, sed nomini tuo da gloriam,” translated to “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name be glory.” The same was first written on the on the medieval facade of the church of St. Hubert in Troyes. Buffy stared at the large cathedral. Her senses screamed for her not to enter, but her soul was pulling her in. She walked up the small staircase and slowly pulled the heavy door open. She stepped inside, amazed at it’s interior. Large stained glass windows filled the room, the rich colors adding to the splendor of the interior. Scenes from the Bible, figures of saints, and representations of Virtues and Vices lined the walls. The curved ceiling was immaculate, and tall, details pillars gave the room an ancient feeling. She was reminded of the picture she saw in her history textbook of the Pantheon in Paris. Awe struck her as she walked down the aisle, between the old pews. Liturgical candles filled the enormous room, giving off a warm glow and an inviting feeling. At the end of the red carpet, a crucifix was mounted on the wall, and a small table was below it. A small statue of the Virgin Mary sat in it’s center, with small white candles circling in. A wooden cross lying in front of it. “Hello? Anybody here?!” Buffy yelled. “HEELLLLOOOOO?!?!?!” All she herd was the sound of her voice echoing in the cathedral. “I guess this place _is_ deserted.” She looked at the table and walked up to it. She stood, watching the flame on the candles dance happily. Buffy had never been a religious person, but something urged her to say a prayer. Keeling, she picked up a long match out of a box that rested beside the table. Lighting it’s tip, Buffy looked up at the crucifix and then at the Virgin Mary. Only two candles remained unlit, and she brought the flame to the first one. “This is for Angel,” she whispered, lighting it. It burned brightly, the gentle radiance of the warm glow playing off her face. She brought the flame to the second one. “This is for Hope,” she whispered, and did the same. Placing her palms together, she closed her eyes and quietly prayed. “Dear God,” she began, her voice low and steady. “I love Angel with all of my heart, and right now, I feel like dying because he isn’t with me. He is my heart, and my soul, and I am empty inside without him. Please keep him safe in heaven, and please, forgive him for what he had done. He needs that, and so do I.” Her voice cracked as she weeped, her sobs echoing in the empty church. “And please, tell him I love him, and that I will miss him till the day I die. Thank you. Amen.” Buffy wiped her eyes, and stood up slowly. Giving the candles one last look, she blew them out. She turned to face the door, and saw the kitten standing in front of it. The sunlight from ceiling window shown down on him, illuminating his presence. She watched him watching her. His poise proper, and his long fur blowing softly in the wind. She walked up to Angel and he immediately rubbed against her legs affectionately. *Meow* his high voice rang out to her. She smiled, and bent down to pick him up. Holding the small kitten in her arms, she rubbed his head lovingly. She gave him a kiss, and set him back down. “Bye, Angel,” she said, and turned to walk away, leaving the large cathedral. Strolling down the street, she rubbed her arms and felt the hot sun on her skin. The prayer had made Buffy feel better, and for once she was at peace with their deaths. Angel followed her, desperately trying to keep up with her. *Meow* *Meow*. She looked behind her, stopping momentarily so he could catch up. “Do you want to come home with me” She asked. He meowed loudly, as if he could understand her. She beamed happily. Picking Angel up, she held him in her arms as she walked home. Some excepts from Compton’s Interactive Encyclopedia Copyright © 1993, 1994 Compton’s NewMedia, Inc. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope 45/45 THE END!!! Date: 07 Apr 1998 15:43:58 PDT A: Sara B. T: Hope D: I don't own 'em! Part 45 PG Giles sat in his living room, replaying the conversation with Hope’s parents over and over in his head. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. < This is truly amazing. Gayle’s great grandfather had been a Watcher, and her grandmother’s great aunt was a Slayer > He rubbed his aching temples and gulped down a large glass of water. < They knew about the prophecy all along. Hope was destined to save Angel, and was also destined to die > < Then she disappeared. Right in Xander’s arms > It was an amazing thing for Giles to see. In his lifetime, he had come across many odd and unnatural beings, but never had a mortal just disappear. But then, Hope wasn’t a mortal. *There is something you don’t know about Hope* Gayle said. *What? What is it?* Giles asked. *She is immortal.* Giles had been so shocked at this information he had nearly fallen off the sofa. Hope was immortal. An immortal Slayer. If she hadn’t risked her own life to save Angel’s, she would have died. It was the goodness in her that gave her immortality. < Well all thought she had died. Buffy wept for her...her feeling of guilt is overwhelming. She will be so happy to find Hope is alive > The smile on Giles’ face turned into a frown. < Or will she? Will her mourning over Angel affect her greatly? Will she be able to continue her slaying abilities? > He began to feel distress over this, worrying that Buffy would be too grief stricken to deal with anything. < Her love for Angel was never questionable. Her feelings were loud and clear. She loved him with all of her heart and soul. Poor Buffy, she is too young to have to deal with this...to young to have so much responsibility > Giles stood up and walked to his window. Pulling back his curtains, he stared into the night sky. < So much has happened in the past two days. All our lives have been changed. Forever. Will Buffy be able to get past his death? She is incredibly strong for her age. A maturity well beyond her sixteen years. Out of all the slayers I have read about, she has been the most incredible of them all. She survived death, the most dangerous opponent of all. The one thing that Buffy can’t fight > Giles took a deep breath and sauntered away from the window. He turned off the lights and locked his door, breathing a sigh of relief at the fact that vampires couldn’t come in unless they were invited. He walked to his bedroom, and changed into a pair of pajamas. Slipping beneath the covers of his bed, he pulled out his Watcher diary and wrote about the past two day’s events. ***** “Goodnight, Mom. I love you,” Buffy said to Joyce before entering her room. Angel trailed close behind at her feet. “Goodnight, Buffy. I love you too. Sleep tight...don’t let the bed bugs bite,” Joyce said from the hall. Buffy laughed. “More like don’t let the vampires bite.” Joyce raised her eyebrow. “Are you sure vampire’s can’t come in unless they are invited?” “Positive,” Buffy replied. “So don’t invite anyone in the house after dark. That is unless I am here.” Nodding, Joyce walked to her bedroom. “Sweet dreams, I’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight, Angel.” Angel meowed loudly, and Buffy smiled. “Thanks for letting me keep him,” she said. “Your welcome,” she responded, grinning in joy at her daughter’s seemingly happy mood. < If that little kitten makes her feel better, than he is more than welcome! > Buffy closed her bedroom door. She walked to her closet and changed into boxers and a T-shirt. Angel hopped up onto her bed, curling up on a cozy blanket. Buffy took off her necklace and rings, placing them next to her bed. She strolled over to her window, and ran her fingers along the sill. “Good-bye, Angel,” she whispered, closing her curtains. Picking up the leather jacket he gave her, she pulled back the covers and crawled into bed. Angel stirred and bounced to her, nudging her face. She let him cozy up to her. Buffy watched the kitten bathe himself, and smiled. Rolling over onto her back, she pulled her comforter up to her neck. Buffy sighed heavily. “I’m going to miss you so much,” she whispered, letting the tears flow freely from her eyes. She sniffled, feeling her empty heart tighten. She grasped the jacket tightly, weeping...her tears wetting her face and pillow. Closing her eyes, she imagined him. His smile, his laugh, his smell, his voice, his eyes. Before long, her body relaxed and her weeping stopped. The tight grip she had on her jacket lessened as she drifted off into a deep sleep, into a dream world were she and her love could be together for eternity. Angel sat up, and hopped off Buffy’s bed. He trotted across her floor to her window. Jumping up onto the sill, he sat, watching the Slayer sleep. Her small body illuminated by the soft light of the moon. He watched over her protectively...as he had done so many times before. EL FIN FEEDBACK FEEDBACK!!! PLEASE!?!?!?!!! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope 45/45 THE END!!! Date: 07 Apr 1998 15:43:19 PDT A: Sara B. T: Hope D: I don't own 'em! Part 45 PG Giles sat in his living room, replaying the conversation with Hope’s parents over and over in his head. He couldn’t stop thinking about it. < This is truly amazing. Gayle’s great grandfather had been a Watcher, and her grandmother’s great aunt was a Slayer > He rubbed his aching temples and gulped down a large glass of water. < They knew about the prophecy all along. Hope was destined to save Angel, and was also destined to die > < Then she disappeared. Right in Xander’s arms > It was an amazing thing for Giles to see. In his lifetime, he had come across many odd and unnatural beings, but never had a mortal just disappear. But then, Hope wasn’t a mortal. *There is something you don’t know about Hope* Gayle said. *What? What is it?* Giles asked. *She is immortal.* Giles had been so shocked at this information he had nearly fallen off the sofa. Hope was immortal. An immortal Slayer. If she hadn’t risked her own life to save Angel’s, she would have died. It was the goodness in her that gave her immortality. < Well all thought she had died. Buffy wept for her...her feeling of guilt is overwhelming. She will be so happy to find Hope is alive > The smile on Giles’ face turned into a frown. < Or will she? Will her mourning over Angel affect her greatly? Will she be able to continue her slaying abilities? > He began to feel distress over this, worrying that Buffy would be too grief stricken to deal with anything. < Her love for Angel was never questionable. Her feelings were loud and clear. She loved him with all of her heart and soul. Poor Buffy, she is too young to have to deal with this...to young to have so much responsibility > Giles stood up and walked to his window. Pulling back his curtains, he stared into the night sky. < So much has happened in the past two days. All our lives have been changed. Forever. Will Buffy be able to get past his death? She is incredibly strong for her age. A maturity well beyond her sixteen years. Out of all the slayers I have read about, she has been the most incredible of them all. She survived death, the most dangerous opponent of all. The one thing that Buffy can’t fight > Giles took a deep breath and sauntered away from the window. He turned off the lights and locked his door, breathing a sigh of relief at the fact that vampires couldn’t come in unless they were invited. He walked to his bedroom, and changed into a pair of pajamas. Slipping beneath the covers of his bed, he pulled out his Watcher diary and wrote about the past two day’s events. ***** “Goodnight, Mom. I love you,” Buffy said to Joyce before entering her room. Angel trailed close behind at her feet. “Goodnight, Buffy. I love you too. Sleep tight...don’t let the bed bugs bite,” Joyce said from the hall. Buffy laughed. “More like don’t let the vampires bite.” Joyce raised her eyebrow. “Are you sure vampire’s can’t come in unless they are invited?” “Positive,” Buffy replied. “So don’t invite anyone in the house after dark. That is unless I am here.” Nodding, Joyce walked to her bedroom. “Sweet dreams, I’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight, Angel.” Angel meowed loudly, and Buffy smiled. “Thanks for letting me keep him,” she said. “Your welcome,” she responded, grinning in joy at her daughter’s seemingly happy mood. < If that little kitten makes her feel better, than he is more than welcome! > Buffy closed her bedroom door. She walked to her closet and changed into boxers and a T-shirt. Angel hopped up onto her bed, curling up on a cozy blanket. Buffy took off her necklace and rings, placing them next to her bed. She strolled over to her window, and ran her fingers along the sill. “Good-bye, Angel,” she whispered, closing her curtains. Picking up the leather jacket he gave her, she pulled back the covers and crawled into bed. Angel stirred and bounced to her, nudging her face. She let him cozy up to her. Buffy watched the kitten bathe himself, and smiled. Rolling over onto her back, she pulled her comforter up to her neck. Buffy sighed heavily. “I’m going to miss you so much,” she whispered, letting the tears flow freely from her eyes. She sniffled, feeling her empty heart tighten. She grasped the jacket tightly, weeping...her tears wetting her face and pillow. Closing her eyes, she imagined him. His smile, his laugh, his smell, his voice, his eyes. Before long, her body relaxed and her weeping stopped. The tight grip she had on her jacket lessened as she drifted off into a deep sleep, into a dream world were she and her love could be together for eternity. Angel sat up, and hopped off Buffy’s bed. He trotted across her floor to her window. Jumping up onto the sill, he sat, watching the Slayer sleep. Her small body illuminated by the soft light of the moon. He watched over her protectively...as he had done so many times before. EL FIN FEEDBACK FEEDBACK!!! PLEASE!?!?!?!!! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope 2 of 43/45 Date: 07 Apr 1998 15:36:27 PDT A: Sara B. T: Hope D: I don't own 'em! 2/43/45 Giles knocked on the large, mahogany door of the Callahan home and nervously waited for an answer. He shifted his feet and felt his throat tighten up. His heat raced and a burning sensation churned in his stomach as the door opened. The woman smiled at him invitingly as a man came to stand beside her. “Hello, Giles,” she said. He looked at her with an expression of the utmost shock. Dumbfounded, he barely managed to find the words to speak. “How...how on earth do you know who I am?” “You are the Slayer’s Watcher. We’ve been waiting for you,” she said. “Won’t you come in?” She asked, gesturing for him to enter. He nodded slightly, and stepped into their home. “I....I...” he stammered. “You came to tell us of Hope’s death. We know,” the woman said. His shock grew intensely as he stared into the calm faces of Hope’s parents. “Oh! How rude of me. I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Gayle Callahan and this is my husband Frank,” she said, holding out her hand. He shook it timidly, not understanding what was going on. “Do sit down,” Frank said, leading Giles into the large, spacious living room. The plush, pink carpet fit the decor of the cream colored tab curtains and flowered wallpaper. A large stone fireplace stood grandly, and two sofa’s--that matched the curtains--stood facing each other with an oak coffee table resting between them. Giles reluctantly sank down onto the comfortable sofa, and noticed familiar books which lined the table. ‘Vampyr’, ‘The Occult’, Demons in Mythology’, The Slayer Handbook. < What?! > He took a double take and sure enough, a copy of the handbook rested on an old book of some sort. Leaning in for a closer look, he realized it was a Watcher’s diary. Frank interrupted his thoughts. “We have a lot to talk about,” he said, watching Giles’ expression with a slight amusement. Giles nodded earnestly. “Yes, we certainly do.” ***** “Hey Cordy,” Xander said, entering her hospital room. She looked into his handsome face. “Hey,” she said weakly. “How do you feel?” He asked, concerned. “Fine, except for the fact that I was in a car accident and had a stake rammed into my thigh,” she said sarcastically. Xander flashed a hurt expression. She softened immediately. “I’m sorry, Xander.” He smiled. “It’s okay.” “So how did it go last night?” She asked, holding her breath with nervousness. Xander’s look of tragic grief made her heart race. “Wha...What happened?” He took in a deep breath, pushing the shakiness out of his voice. “Well...uh...” he gulped, “Hope and Angel died.” Cordelia choked back a sob, holding in her anguish. “Oh no,” she whispered, the tears falling freely from her eyes. Xander couldn’t help but cry. “Angel killed Buffy then---” “What?! Oh God!” Cordelia cried out, sobbing. Xander moved like lightening to her side and held her, trying to offer comfort. “Sshhhhhh,” he crooned, stroking her hair softly. “Let me finish. Buffy died, then Hope was in the middle of killing Angel when she ended up saving him. She died for that bastard,” Xander growled, gritting his teeth, shoving his anger aside. “Hope then somehow gave Buffy life again. It was the most amazing thing.” Cordelia trembled. “Is Buffy okay?” She asked, grabbing a tissue. Xander nodded. “Yeah, she is okay.” “Is everyone else okay?” She sniffled. “Yeah, we are all okay,” he said, holding her tightly. Cordelia looked at him, taking in the his scent, his voice, the feel of his arms around her. She smiled lovingly, and he leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. “I love you, Xander,” She whispered, then opened her eyes wide realizing what she said. “Oh! I..mean...I....” She blushed at her very un-Cordelia like words. < Did I just say what I think I said? > “I love you, too,” he whispered back, and her expression softened. She smiled again with relief, and leaned her head against his chest. < My Xander > she thought, and relaxed, letting him comfort her. Soon, they drifted off into a slumber. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: s*bscribing Date: 07 Apr 1998 16:45:27 PDT How can I s*bscribe to the Bbeta and Willowfic lists? Thanx Sara ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: G90210 Subject: BUFFYFIC: BBETA: Life's A Bitch Date: 07 Apr 1998 20:01:02 EDT AUTHOR'S NOTE: This was just a thought I had one day. Because Buffy has to deal with stuff, most people don't think exist(right they don't, come on now for my own mentalness, they don't!) What about when she has to face real stuff, like real diseases, like AIDS. I don't know why I thought of this, but oh well I did. TITLE: Life's A Bitch AUTHOR: mInDy (G90210@aol.com or LoveAVamp@aol.com) SUMMARY: I don't know how to write one to this, so read.......it's about Buffy and Angel for those of you who it matters too. SPOILERS: None at the moment. TIME LINE: After S/I IMPORTANT: Angel IS good in my story, he does has soul, and the curse can't be broken this time. DISCLAIMER: I own nothing!! WARNING: Major character dies. Look at the title and the language will be explained. Life's A Bitch by: mInDy *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Buffy sat in her room. *It's so quiet in here this late.* Buffy thought, but that thought left when she heard someone jump up on her roof. *What the----* She saw Angel starring at her. Part of her felt fear run through her, cause it wasn't so long ago, he was her enemy and wanted her dead. The other part, didn't know how to feel right now. She loved him, true. She trusted him, false/true. She wasn't sure yet, and she wasn't sure if she ever would be. "Hey," Angel said, after starring at her, wishing he knew what she was thinking. "Hey," Buffy said. Nobody said anything else or moved, their words just hung in the air. Both scared to death of each other, but both madly in love. Buffy broke the silence, "Angel aren't you gonna......" "I can't remember the little....umm..." He said a little nervous, wondering how he was gonna do this. "Oh yeah that." Buffy said looking down, she was just as nervous, the last time they were alone, when he was good, was that wonderful night. "Angel, come...." "Buffy, DON'T, it's to dangerous for you to do that." He said almost screaming at her for trying to invite her in. "Oh ok, Angel, so were gonna.....Come In, Come In, Come In..Oooppps I said it, sorry, guess you're gonna half to COME IN." Buffy said to him, and smiled, trying to break the tension that was building in between them. Angel just rolled his eyes at her. He loved her, and he prayed to God that one day they could be together like before. When Angel got in side, he sat at the end of Buffy's bed. He kept looking at her. *Man if I wasn't a vampire, my palms would be sweating very bad right now.* *I guess since he ain't gonna make the first move, I will.* Buffy leaned over to him, and kissed him, hard. Angel responded, immeadately. He wanted nothing more than this. When they fell on the back on the bed Angel spoke up, "Buffy, what about your Mom?" "She's off at some art thing. God, Angel, I've missed you so much." "I've missed you, too." It seemed like all the tension that was between them, left without a trace. That night was just like before, but better, in some. The whole damn world could have gone to hell, and they wouldn't have cared, they were where they wanted to be, in each other's embrace. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* TBC........... Feedback, I live on it, you wouldn't want me dying now would you? =o) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: G90210 Subject: BUFFYFIC: BBETA: Hurting *POEM* Date: 07 Apr 1998 20:24:39 EDT This is a poem I wrote back when Angel was good. Hurting by: mInDy (G90210@aol.com or LoveAVamp@aol.com) You're always there, In the dark, Hidden from my sight. But I know you're there, I can sense you there, Just a little out of my reach, Making sure I don't get hurt. But don't you see? Everyday that goes by, And I don't see you, Hurts more. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~ FEEDBACK PPPPPLLLLEEEEAAAASSSSEEEE - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Sarah Douglas Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Cure" (4/14) Date: 07 Apr 1998 20:40:08 DISCLAIMER: I don't own Buffy or any of the other wonderful characters in the Buffyverse. I am using them without the permission of the people who do own them who are not going to sue me because I am not making any money off this. Joss Whedon, WB, Mutant Enemy, Kusui and Sandollar own the Buffy characters. DISTRIBUTION: Just ask. RATING: Probably PG FEEDBACK: I would love to know what you all think of this. Please send me feedback. Pretty please. SUMMARY: Okay, well this takes place while Ms. Calendar is still alive, but Angel is evil, so probably Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. It's another "Angel gets his soul back" story which I wrote to convince myself that Angel could be good again. It's kind of long and I'm sorry about that you all. Well, enough with the talk, on with the show. AUTOR'S MESSAGE: Thanks for this part goes out to Jeanie for being so much fun. Thanks also goes to Candy, just for being her evil self. On with the show The Cure (4/14) Buffy locked the door of her house behind her and she and Willow started walking back to school. They both had their arms crossed over their chests, as if trying to protect themselves. They walked together in silence. A cold breeze brushed them. "I'm so glad the sun's still out," Willow said. "Yeah, we know when the sun goes down, the scaries come out," Buffy replied, quickly checking to make sure the stake she always carried with her was there. Willow saw the motion and knowing that Buffy had a stake comforted Willow. Buffy was worried about Angel. <> she thought. <> she wondered. Buffy knew she couldn't always be with them. <> Buffy thought over her options, she could try to teach them some self-defence, but it would take a while to teach them enough to really be able to protect themselves and until they were good any vampire would still be stronger. Crosses were good, but any vampire would just knock it out of their hands. <> Buffy thought. "That's it!" Buffy exclaimed. Willow turned to her. "What's it?" Willow asked. "Nothing Will. Ummm. . . are you okay to go the rest of the way to school by yourself? There's something I've got to do," Buffy explained. "Yeah, I'll be fine. There's still a few hours of sunlight," Willow replied, looking at Buffy. Willow hesitated, then added, "Buffy? Just promise you'll be quick." "I promise, I'll be quick," Buffy smiled. She leaned over and gave Willow a hug. "And Buffy? Be careful." **************** Willow felt a wave of relief as she reached the school. She walked toward the library. She started to jog, she wanted to get there as quickly as possible. Willow opened the door to the library and felt comfort in seeing Xander and Giles. "Willow," Giles said with relief, then added, "Where's Buffy?" "I'm not sure. She said she had to do something, but she promised she'd be here soon," Willow said. Oz came out from Giles' office. He saw Willow and he gave her a hug. "How are you doing?" Oz asked Willow. "I'm okay," Willow replied. "Umm, Giles, can Angel come into the library?" "Yes, I suppose he can come in here. Why?" Giles replied, looking a little puzzled at the question. "Well, when we're doing research here at night, lots of times Buffy's out slaying. Angel could attack us then," Willow elaborated. "Oh dear, I'd never thought of that. We need to find another base of operation," Giles said. "Okay, we need to find another HQ. My question is where?" Xander asked. "We can work at my place," Oz volunteered. "What about your parents?" Giles asked. "Oh, no sweat. I'm in the basement, they won't even know." Suddenly, the door opened. Everyone whipped around to face the door. Buffy smiled at everyone and said: "Look what I've got." ******************* Jenny was cruising along the highway with a song in her heart. She was almost at the place her tribe was camped. She saw the sign for her turn and got off the highway. She took the turns to where they were camped. She saw the camp right ahead of here. She turned of the ignition and got out. <> End part 4 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC:The Watcher(2/?) Date: 08 Apr 1998 08:56:16 EDT The Watcher (2/?) by Jaclyn Amy TITLE: The Watcher AUTHOR: Jaclyn Amy@aol.com RATING: PG/PG-13 SUMMARY: This takes place four years later while the Buffy gang is attending Montague University near Sunnydale. Angel’s soul has been permanently restored, and he is 100% human. Jenny Calendar is still alive. Buffy will be getting a new Watcher. DISTRIBUTION: Ask me first. DISCLAIMER: I own none of the characters from or the movie or show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They were created by Joss Wheden and are owned by 20th Century Fox, Sandollar Television, Mutant Enemy, etc. No infringement intended. FEEDBACK: Please be nice; I’m still a newbie. Willow nearly fainted at the news of her becoming Watcher. "There’s got to be some mistake. I, I can’t be the Watcher! The Watcher is a guy, and a, a bookworm, and someone who isn’t me. I’m too young, and I’d be a horrible Watcher. Pick someone else." Giles said, "Willow, I can’t pick someone else. You aren’t to young, and even thought there haven’t been female Watchers in the past, it doesn’t say that there cannot be one. The Watcher must be twenty one years of age, and you turned twenty one last week. With the proper training, you’ll be perfectly ready." Buffy sat in shock and thought. //This can’t be happening. Willow’s my friend, not my Watcher. She can’t be both; it’s impossible. How can she train me when she has not nearly as much strength and experience as Giles?// ***** Giles didn’t even let Willow have the rest of the day to adjust. He brought her directly to the library to start training, for time was running out. They worked on training techniques the whole day since that is what Willow needed the most work on. "Okay, Willow, I want you to attack me." "Giles, I can’t, I don’t know how to fight." "Just try." Unconfidently, she started to attack. She threw a punch at him, which he easily blocked. She tried kicking him, but he knocked her down onto the floor. As her head hit the ground, a dreamlike state came over her. First, she was teaching a medival Slayer how to read. Next, she was showing a African- American slave Slayer new battle techniques. Then she was Merrick, watching Buffy do cartwheels on a mat in Hemery’s gym. Finally, she was Kendra’s Watcher, telling her about a great evil happening in Sunnydale. She woke up and jumped to her feet quickly. She kicked Giles in the gut and sent him flying across the room. She punched him in the jaw and tripped him. He fell over and just lay there. "Omigod, Giles!" she cried. "I’m so, so sorry. Are you okay?" "Yes, I’ll, I’ll be fine. I see you’ve found the Watcher strength." "The what?" "Though Slayer has strength she is born with, the Watcher does not. He or she must find the strength within themselves. Once discovered, you will not lose it until you are no longer Watcher. Unfortunately, knowledge only comes from reading the texts and diaries. You must study them day and night." "Giles, what just happened to me now, something similar happened to me last night in my dreams. I, I was the Watcher for several different Slayers." "That’s supposed to happen. Similar to the Slayer dreams. I want you to take these home." He handed her five large books. "These are the first Watcher diaries. I want you to read as much as you can tonight and tomarrow. We’re late on your training. Thus, we must make up for lost time." Willow started to leave. "Oh, and you are welcome to anything in here that you might need." "Thank you, Giles…for everything." ***** Brrrng. Brrrrng. Brrrng. "Come on, pick up the phone." The answering machine went on. "You have reached Rupert Giles at 555-7529. I am unable to answer the phone right now. Please leave your name, number and message at the beep. I will get back to you as soon as possible." "Rupert, it’s Jenny. My water just broke. Meet me down at Sunnydale General A.S.A.P. Don’t worry about a thing. Cordelia was with me and she’s giving me a ride. Love you. Bye." End Part 2 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: BUFFYFIC: Adieu my Love and Ode to Oz Date: 08 Apr 1998 07:28:46 -0700 This is a poem I wrote a few months ago. I was thinking about Buffy's lost, and how she had to say good-bye. I made it a little longer recently and I decided to send it to the list for feedback. So PLEASE send feed back. I also put in my first try at poetry about Oz. Very short, but I feel its too the point. Please send feedback about that too. Adieu My Love By: Taygeta Adieu my love of demon dust, For you are gone and I am lost. How can it be your vessel still alive, Cannot contain the golden heart it once had inside? Oh, Angel, Angel in the night, Where has your soul gone away? Could not thy righteous soul defeat demon soul in god versus devil fight? Did thee love me as you once did say? In dreams that I cannot describe, I feel your arms wrap around me tight. The world is dark without your light, And even day is like the night. I hear your voice whisper to me in dreams, My thoughts of you linger on. And try as I might to wish such thoughts and dreams away, I only succeed in dreaming still. Good-bye, good-bye, my Angel in the night, Adieu my love of demon dust. You are gone and I am lost. And I am only lost because I have lost you. *************** Ode to Oz By: Taygeta He saw me, Before I saw him. He loved me, Before I loved him. He saw something, And I was blind. I saw his appearance first, He, my spirit. In short time, My blind eyes did see. I no longer met him with my eyes to his, But rather heart-to-heart. ************************ Going with the French good-bye Fin What did you all think? Feedback! _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: "Reunion" note Date: 08 Apr 1998 21:00:57 -0400 In case anybody was wondering, I've already written part 7 of reunion, and I promise to send it to the list as soon as it's edited- Hey, I've got a vacation coming up, and tomorrow's my last day of school for a week, so expect a lot more fic! -Ingrid Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return to Normalcy," "One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a Chance," "Tragic Sighs" and "Footsteps." _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: NightHunter Subject: BUFFYFIC: Her Darkest Hour 3 Part 1 Date: 09 Apr 1998 05:55:54 -0700 DISCLAIMER: Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and its characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar, WB, and Fox.... I'm Just borrowing them. The story is all from my deranged mind. No copyright infringement is intended. I Had to break it down into seperate posts it was bouncing Sorry Ok here it is the final part of Her Darkest Hour trilogy. I hope everyone liked it. I enjoyed writing it, and have plans for a short epilog. Feedback: Let me know if you liked it Special Thanks To Leslie Part 1 The Light Shines (Confession Time) As Buffy picked up the small cat she felt the need to confess her problems, so, looking at the small cat she said, "There toward the end I couldn't even tell the good guys from the bad guys." Then as a tear fell she started to sing "The Good Guys and the Bad Guys, it's amazing how much their alike. They both act sincerely but, they are so filled with fear they switch sides in the wink of an eye. The Good Guys and the Bad Guys, well it ain't like ol' whyit in Dodge. You knew where you stood then, what was evil and good then, and the Good Guys always came out on top. Now who's wearing black hats and who's wearing white, who's on the side of justice and right. The line is so fine between Heaven and Hell, not even a hero can tell. The Good Guys and the Bad Guys, today neither one wants to fight fair, they keep changing the rules making everybody fools. Until, finally nobody cares. The Good Guys and the Bad Guys don't count neither one as your friend, when the going gets rough they won't back you up. You are left all alone in the end. Now who's wearing black hats and who's wearing white, who's on the side of justice and right. The line is so fine between Heaven and Hell not even a hero can tell. The Good Guys from the Bad Guys." Buffy had just finished to find that the small cat was looking up into her face and had a small tear rolling down it's face. The cat slowly placed its paws on Buffy's face and spoke to her saying "Poor Slayer." "What! You can talk!" said a surprised Buffy. "Yes!" answered the cat. "Now, sit down and let me tell you a story Slayer" Part 2 The Light Shines (Truth Revealed) "You see Buffy, in the beginning there was only darkness, so dark for so very long that light itself was inconceivable. This dark void was ruled by beings that were old, before time even began," the cat said looking up and seeing that he had Buffy's attention, he continued. "But the light came and grew until the darkness screamed. As much in relief as in pain. In that moment time began, mighty worlds were created. Orbiting shinning suns on one such world there came life." "What does this have to do with me?" said Buffy "Listen and learn the truth," said the cat. "You see the dark ones didn't want to give up everything. They had ruled for so very long. So they began a war on the kingdom of light. From this war came a band of fighting Mages like no one had ever seen, for they were feline." As the cat finished tears were running down his small face. "Are you alright?" asked Buffy, taking a piece of her torn shirt and wiping his eyes. "Yes!" said the cat. "Let me finish. You see these Mages were gifted with powers like no one had seen. They led a battle against the Dark Ones, pushing them back. But on the eve of their greatest victory came their most shattering defeat. You see they had become complacent in their powers. In a last ditch effort, the dark ones attacked, but, the Mages were able to close the gateway. At a high cost, out of one thousand Mages, only a hundred survived. The Dark Ones that managed to escaped created the Vampires. They hoped that they would one day allowed the others to return." "So, it was decided that mankind should take up the battle to save it's world. The remaining Mages gathered together and using their powers created the Slayer." "Oh!" Said Buffy "I always wondered.... why is the Chosen One always a girl?" "Because of the female maternal instance to protect," answered the cat. "Out of all the Slayers, you are the last hope for the human race Buffy. You see, the remaining Mages channeled their powers, giving everything that they had to create the last Slayer. Out of forty-five only one is left," said the cat, his voice started to break up as he continued. "You Buffy are that chosen one. And mankind's last best hope for victory." "The chosen one? But, I failed worse then you did an evil witch is ready to open the gateway, and I can't do a thing about it!" Part 3 The Light Shines (The First Ones) "Come Buffy, it's time you met the first ones. Each one from a different world, maybe they can convince you that you are a hero," said the cat. Then as he waved his paw, a bright light engulfed them. When the light faded Buffy looked around to find that she had been transported elsewhere. "Wow!" exclaimed Buffy. "Xander would love this!" >From out of the light came a man that radiated compassion. All Buffy could see was a red cape flowing in the air. The figure spoke "My name is Kal-El and I am the sole survivor of a destroyed world. I was raised by a human family even though I was alien. They treated me as their own, and I grew up to fight for Truth & Justice." What does that mean?" questioned Buffy. "It means that family is one of the most important things. They will always love you, and in their eyes, you are a hero!" The figure faded and another one steped forward. "My name is Peter," he said. "And like you I tried not to be a hero. It cost me my uncle. So remember Buffy with great powers come great responsibility." The cat appeared once again at Buffy's side. "I still don't understand." said Buffy "I don't know what more I can sho-" started the cat when he was interrupted by a female figure stepping out of the light with the wings of an angel moving from behind a flowing red cape. "Buffy it's time forget the others, come with me." she said holding out her hand. Buffy took her hand and then in a flash of light they were gone. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: NightHunter Subject: BUFFYFIC: Her Darkest Hour 3 Part 2 Date: 09 Apr 1998 05:58:24 -0700 Part 4 The Light Shines (What Makes A Real Hero) When the flash of light faded Buffy found herself standing next to wh= at she could identify only as an angel. "My name is Linda, and I'm here to tell you that super powers don't m= ake you a hero. Look!" Linda said. Buffy saw a firefighter running back into a burning building that has started to fall. Just as the building collapsed she saw that the firefighter had made it out carrying a small crying child. "See Buffy," explained Linda, "A hero puts the safety of others befor= e anything else. The firefighter had no super powers and he knew he mig= ht have died but, still he went back for a little girl." "Like, that=92s his job." said Buffy. "Very well, let's try another approach," replied Linda. The light once again engulfed them both. When it cleared Buffy found herself looking down from a hill. She saw a small boy walking on a frozen pond, the ice broke, and he fell in. She then saw people who h= ad been passing by stop to form a human chain. They pulled the small boy out of the freezing water to safety. Linda once again appears at her side. "You see Buffy, they didn't kno= w the child. It wasn't their job, but they risked their lives to save a child=92s. That's all it takes to be a hero." Buffy wiped the tears from her eyes and said "I understand now, I'm ready to go back." Linda waved her hand and Buffy found herself back in the alley. She t= hen noticed that on her arm was a crystal band. She then heard a voice in her head, "This crystal band will help you stand against the evil one= . Remember that even in your Darkest Hours, when all seems hopeless and lost that the light will always dispel the darkness in which evil grows." Part 5 The Light Shines (Angules) As Buffy started to approach the warehouse where Catherine and others were, a female vampire jumped from out of the shadows, "Well, if it isn't the little Slayer. When I give Catherine your head everyone wil= l know the name of Vik-" the vampire started to say just as a stake is driven into her heart. "Girlfriend you talk to much." said Buffy. Buffy entered the warehouse from the roof. Moving from beam to beam = she watched as Angelus stood next to the evil witch, their hands locked together in a lovers embrace. Buffy jumped from the beam she was standing on doing a back flip. She landed in front of two vampires who don't even have time to notice sh= e's there. She then ramed a stake through each of their hearts. Buffy turned to Catherine and said "Ok, this is between you and me. L= et my friends and Angel go!" Buffy then turned to hear Angelus laughing. He looked straight at he= r and said, "You little fool! Did you really think that I loved you. Th= ere never was an Angel. It was just a way to get a Slayer to leave me alo= ne. But, I must admit it was refreshing to find a virgin these days." Buffy yelled, "No! I don't believe it. Angel did love me!" Angelus turned toward Catherine, once again wearing the face of Angel= . "Poor Slayer, I can't believe you are so gullib--" Angelus starts to say, but, is stopped by an arrow that has pierced his heart. Surprise shows on his face as the turns to dust. The other vampires turn to see Xander standing next to Buffy a crossb= ow in his arms. "No one! makes the girl I love cry!" Xander said as he threw another crossbow to Buffy "Just like old times Buffster, lets Rock-N-Roll." When Buffy turned to catch the crossbow she looked at Xander. His dem= on face was showing, but in his eyes, she saw love. "Ok Xand, lock & loa= d lets kick some undead butt!" Part 6 The Light Shines (The Witch) Xander & Buffy started fighting back to back and the vampires began t= o fall. After they had run out of arrows they grabbed a chair, breaking off the legs to use as stakes. As Catherine raised her hands to cast a spell she was grabbed from behind. She spun around to face a very mad Xander. "You hurt Buffy an= d that makes me mad!" growled Xander. As Xander prepared to kill her, Catherine called out to the red werew= olf to attack. The wolf leaped into the air toward Xander, who was prepa= red to fight for his life. When the beast suddenly changed course in mid-= air landing on top of the witch. It began to rip the body apart. Xander h= ad to turn his head. The creature ripping the witch apart had once been = his best friend. As Willow tore out the throat of the witch there was blo= od flowing everywhere. With Catherine dead the other vampires fled into the night. Buffy cam= e over to stand by Xander and said "I'm Sorry Xand, I wish there was something that I could do." "Just hold me Buffy, Please!" Said Xander, tears of blood running dow= n his face. Part 7 The Light Shines (Out Of Darkness) Buffy did just that. They both jumped when they heard a familiar voic= e. "Ok after this we really will have to step up your training." Buffy = and Xander both turned to see that Giles had been turned back. "U--uh G-guys has any one got a blanket?" the voice causes the three = to turn around to see a naked Willow. Xander quickly removed his cloak a= nd put it around Willow. "Thanks." she said. "Hey, anything for my best bud," answred Xander. The four heroes walked out of the dark warehouse into the light of a = new day. Buffy heard a cat meow and smiles. She knew that the world would always be safe as long as there were Feline Mages. (Epilogue) to come soon The Song, The Good Guys & The Bad Guys that Buffy sang came from the movie the Return of Captain Invincible. I don't remember who owns it. The characters of Kal-El and Linda are owned by DC Comics, Peter is owned by Marvel. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Lost & Found (4/?) Date: 09 Apr 1998 10:44:34 EDT Lost & Found 4 Title: Lost & Found (4/?) Author: Michelle E-mail: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG-13 = violence and graphic descriptions (no sex) Summary: Series after Vengeance - Buffy, Xander, Willow & Giles are all vampires. Drusilla is making Buffy pay for supposedly killing Spike. Distribution: I'll say yes, but ask. Spoilers: Everything up to Killed By Death (just to be safe) Feedback: Please, good or bad, I need to know if I suck or not. I won't care if you tell me this story is horrible, I just want to know. This story is something that happens after Killed By Death. Probally a Third season type story. This story has some pretty graphic descriptions and some people may be upset by the story. There is a PG-13 rating on this story however, there is no sex or sexual situations. Just some Buffy like language and violence. This story will go on for a while, or until I come up with a way to end it. The characters, Buffy, Xander, Willow, etc. belong to Joss Whedon, The WB, Sandollar, etc. He stood in the shadows watching her sleep. The moon light reflecting off her pale white face. The night's air filled the room. An ice cold gust came through an open window and startled Spike out of a daze. After such a long time, he was starting to loose hope that she would come. Then one night she came, tired, weak and full of surprises. 'A vampire? The slayer a vampire?' The whole thing was too much for him to even contemplate. Buffy had been sleeping peacefully for hours. The body of her latest meal lay lifelessly on the floor by the bed. "Time to get up," Spike said loudly as he walked over to the middle of the room where she was resting. Buffy awoke with jump. She looked over to Spike who was standing at the foot of the bed. "Can't you let a girl get some sleep?" "No." A faint smile crossed his face. "How do you feel?" "Like I've been run over by an Amtrak." Buffy noticed Spike's strange looks. "What?" "I'm just trying to understand all of this. You were pretty groggy when you arrived." "Yeah, well, I got her first didn't I?" "True." Spike walked over to the side of the bed and sat down. "You want to tell me what's going on?" "Well, basically here is what happened: Dru thought I killed you so she killed my friends, turned me into a vampire and made me kill everyone I ever knew. "Really?" Spike's voice was filled with pride. "So, how do I get Dru back?" "You can't." "What do you mean?" "The ritual requires the one that loves them. I don't love Angel anymore. After becoming a vampire, I lost interest in him, and fell for Xander." "You and that...that reject?" "He's not such a reject anymore. He's done some serious damage. Even killed Kendra." "Dru should have made you all vampires a long time ago," Spike said with a chuckle. "A long time ago, Dru was barely capable of walking let alone killing the slayer. A slayer you couldn't kill yourself if I remember correctly." Buffy smiled sarcastically at him. "Have you ever thought of killing Angel?" "Of course I have." Spike stood up and turned his back to Buffy. "Dru would never love me the same though." "Your love for eachother is repulsive!" Buffy voice was loud and harsh. Buffy couldn't believe that another vampire could have such feelings. "Do you have a problem with that?" "As a matter of fact..." Buffy stopped, not wanting to start something with him. "Look, we've got much bigger problems right now. Angel will be here any minute." "Actually, Angel is already here." Angel slowly stepped out of the shadows of the room. Spike turned suddenly to face the dark figure. "Buffy, Buffy, Buffy, what would Xander say if he could see you now..." "Why did you come here?" Buffy's voice was deep and full of anger. "Well, I think we both know the answer to that one." Angel walked slowly around the bed and approached Spike. "Hiya Spike. How could you let us think you were dead all these years?" "Wasn't too difficult." Spike seemed happy to have eluded all of them. "Well, we'll make it for real this time." I need to know how the story's coming along, let me know! -Michelle - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC:The Watcher(3/?) Date: 09 Apr 1998 12:05:46 EDT The Watcher (3/?) by Jaclyn Amy TITLE: The Watcher AUTHOR: Jaclyn Amy@aol.com RATING: PG/PG-13 SUMMARY: This takes place four years later while the Buffy gang is attending Montague University near Sunnydale. Angel’s soul has been permanently restored, and he is 100% human. Jenny Calendar is still alive. Buffy will be getting a new Watcher. DISTRIBUTION: Ask me first. DISCLAIMER: I own none of the characters from or the movie or show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They were created by Joss Wheden and are owned by 20th Century Fox, Sandollar Television, Mutant Enemy, etc. No infringement intended. FEEDBACK: Please be nice; I’m still a newbie. As soon as Giles got to the house and listened to the message, he left. //Damnit! Why did it have to be Cordelia?! I would have rather her walked than be in a car with her. Calm down, Giles. Just drive.// And that he did. ***** "What’s wrong, Buff?" Angel asked as he walked onto the balcony. "You’ve been standing outside in the rain for the past half hour. Come inside." "Nothing." She came back inside, her wet clothing sticking to her. "It’s just that I feel like I’m going to lose Willow. We’re best friends, and the Slayer- Watcher realationship isn’t like that. If Willow becomes my Watcher, I have a feeling that’ll change out whole relationship, and that isn’t what I want." "Of course everything’ll be different. Big deal. So what. You’ll worry about that when it comes." "But Angel, what if-" He grabbed her and passionately kissed her. She loosened up in his grip and started to relax. "What were you going to say?" "Nothing. Nothing at all…" She pulled him down onto the bed and kissed him again. "I love you." She whispered into his ear. That’s when the phone started to ring. Brrrng. Brrrng."Let Xander get it." ***** "Hello?" Xander asked. "Xander? It’s Giles." "What’s up, G-man?" "I, I’m on my way to Sunnydale General Hospital. Meet me over there right away." "What’s wrong? Are you okay?" "Yes, yes. Jenny is having her baby. I’ve got to go." He hung up the phone. Xander ran upstairs to Willow and Cordelia’s room, but nobody was there. He burst into Buffy’s room and screamed, "Mrs. Calendar’s having the baby!" "Xander!" Buffy screamed as she pulled up the bed covers. "What the hell are you doing?" "He covered his eyes with his hand. "Oh, God, I’m so sorry. I’ll go tell Willow." He ran out of the room and slammed the door. ***** "Willow, you’ve been reading long enough," Oz said walking up behind the couch Willow was sitting on. "You should go to sleep. It’s almost midnight." "Oz, I am nowhere near ready to be Watcher. Ms. Calendar is going to have her baby anyday now. I need to prepare." "Please." He came up behind her and put his arms around her and kissed her. "Just take a little break." "I guess the world can wait five minutes." She kissed him back and he got on the couch too. "God, get a room!" Xander cried as he munched his apple. "Xander, do you really need to be in here right now?" Willow asked in an agitated voice. He started pouting. "Fine, then I won’t tell you that Ms. Calendar is in labor at Sunnydale General." Willow stood up and accidently knocked Oz off the couch. "No, no, no. This, this cannot be happening. I, I, I’m to young to be a Watcher. I’m not ready." "Will, calm down," Oz mumbled as he staggered back up. "I’ll drive you to the hospital. You’ll talk to Giles. Everything’ll be cool, okay?" He brushed her hair with his hand. "Yeah, yeah," Willow mumbled in a daze, "everything’ll be cool." ***** Due to torrential rain and heavy fog, it took them almost an hour to get to the hospital. In the waiting room, Buffy, Cordelia, and Angel sat. Oz and Xander sat beside them while Willow just paced up and down. "Jeez, Willow, now you’re making me nervous," Cordelia spoke. "Shut the hell up!" she snapped. "Oh, I’m sorry." With a smile on his face, Giles burst through the doors. "She had the baby. It’s, it’s a girl." "Congratulations, Giles!" Buffy said as she hugged him. "I know you’re going to make a great father." His eyes met hers. "Thank you…for everything. You were a terrific Slayer, Buffy, and I’ll miss you. But I’ve got a life to live." "You were a terrific Watcher. I’ll nevr forget you. Now, go, see your baby. Have a good life." "Thank you. All of you, come in and see her." In the hospital room, Mrs. Calendar was holding her newborn baby girl when they entered. There were "awws" and "she’s so cute" from everybody. Giles just proudly stood there, beaming. "So, what are you going to name her?" asked Oz. Mrs. Calendar said, "I haven’t really thought about it much-" "Buffy," inturupted Giles. "Buffy." Mrs. Calendar added, "No, Buffy Cordelia. Without her, I would have this baby in my bedroom." Buffy spoke, "Buffy Cordelia Giles-Calendar. I like it." Into the room entered a nurse. "Okay, visiting time is over. Everyone out." "Buffy, I need to talk to you," Giles whispered as he left the room. They went to a corner to talk. "Buffy, in all my years as Watcher, you have given me the most grief and the most joy. I’ll miss not being your Watcher, but I know you’ll do fine with Willow. She’ll make a great Watcher. What I guess I’m trying to say is that I’ll miss you." "I’ll miss you too." Tears started forming in your eyes. "It’ll be strange not seeing you every single day, or reluctently learning new battle techniques. I can’t believe you won’t be here tomarrow night." "Goodbye." "Bye." The hugged and parted. //Goodbye, Giles. Goodbye, forever.// End Part 3 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Sarah Douglas Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Cure" (4/14) Date: 09 Apr 1998 18:03:46 DISCLAIMER: I don't own Buffy or any of the other wonderful characters in the Buffyverse. I am using them without the permission of the people who do own them who are not going to sue me because I am not making any money off this. Joss Whedon, WB, Mutant Enemy, Kusui and Sandollar own the Buffy characters. DISTRIBUTION: Just ask. RATING: Probably PG FEEDBACK: I would love to know what you all think of this. Please send me feedback. Pretty please. SUMMARY: Okay, well this takes place while Ms. Calendar is still alive, but Angel is evil, so probably Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. It's another "Angel gets his soul back" story which I wrote to convince myself that Angel could be good again. It's kind of long and I'm sorry about that you all. AUTHOR'S MESSAGE: Okay, earning my thank you today is Aglx and Bern300. Thanks for the positive feedback you guys. And Bern300, try not to lose this part =) On with the show The Cure (5/14) Buffy was filling the water guns up with Holy water. "I don't quite understand the purpose of these, Buffy," Giles said. Buffy picked up one. "Well, all the slayerettes, even you Giles, carries one around, so if a vampire attacks you, just shoot some Holy water in their eyes," Buffy explained. "Just like pepper spray," Willow commented. "Yeah, but this is just a precautionary measure. I want everyone to stay somewhere where none of the vamps can get you," Buffy said. "Buffy, we're going to work out of Oz's basement, because Angel can come into the library whenever he wants," Willow told buffy, as she was putting some of the weapons into a box. Xander packing up books with Giles and Cordelia. Oz was helping Willow pack the weapons. "Okay, what else needs to be done?" Buffy asked. "Well, that's the last box. Buffy would you help carry these boxes out to Oz's van?" Giles asked, gesturing at a stack of five boxes. "Sure," Buffy replied, picking up the stack of boxes. "Oz, where are you parked?" **************** Jenny was sitting across from the elderwoman of her tribe. Jenny sipped her coffee. "So, Janna, you have returned to us." "Yes, grandmother. I need your help," Jenny returned simply. "It is about Angelus. . .and a girl. . .and others. Tell me about it. What do you need?" "It is about Angel. The girl is Buffy and she is the Slayer. She loves him, and with his soul, he loved her. He helped them, Buffy, her watcher and her friends. And me. He saved my life. Now, they think it's my fault he lost his soul. I need help to restore his soul. And I want to make it permanent," Jenny explained, crossing her fingers, hoping they would be able to help her. "I knew you would come. I have already begun the search. I will try to help you Janna, but I cannot cast the spell. It must be someone who was affected by the soul. And they must be trained in magic." "What does the training involve? Can I do it?" Jenny asked. "I was hoping you'd ask. Come with me Janna," the elderwoman got up and beckoned for Jenny to follow. Jenny followed silently. ***************** They all sat together in the back of Oz's van. Buffy was getting nervous. The sun was dipping down to the horizon. They probably only had another half an hour. "Here we are," Oz said, pulling into the driveway. They all jumped out and Buffy grabbed the boxes. Willow grabbed her bag and Xander carried Buffy's bag. Oz led them into the house and down to the basement. "Are you certain it's okay for us to be here?" Giles asked. "Yeah, like I said, no sweat," Oz replied. "I'd feel better if we all stayed here tonight. Is that okay with you Oz? I just don't want anyone going out between sunset tonight and sunrise tomorrow," Buffy said. "Sure, no problem. You guys can stay as long as you want. My mom's out of town visiting relatives and my dad works nights," Oz answered. "Let's unpack then." End part 5 What did you think? Send feedback (any feedback) to - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: JJ Angel5 Subject: BUFFYFIC: OT: Proofreader. Date: 09 Apr 1998 20:10:22 EDT Hello, Sorry to disrupt the list. I has about 5 proofreaders reading my non-Buffy story (about 6 teenagers who get in an accident on the way to a ski lodge for Winter Break) and somehow I lost there names. If anyone on the list was reading it, or would like to. Please contact me. Thank you! Jessica - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Sarah Douglas Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Cure" (6/14) Date: 09 Apr 1998 21:47:24 DISCLAIMER: I don't own Buffy or any of the other wonderful characters in the Buffyverse. I am using them without the permission of the people who do own them who are not going to sue me because I am not making any money off this. Joss Whedon, WB, Mutant Enemy, Kusui and Sandollar own the Buffy characters. DISTRIBUTION: Just ask. RATING: Probably PG FEEDBACK: I would love to know what you all think of this. Please send me feedback. Pretty please. SUMMARY: Okay, well this takes place while Ms. Calendar is still alive, but Angel is evil, so probably Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. It's another "Angel gets his soul back" story which I wrote to convince myself that Angel could be good again. It's kind of long and I'm sorry about that you all. AUTHOR'S MESSAGE: To start with, I labelled the last part wrong, it was actually part 5, not part 4. Anyways, this dedication is going out to Jeanie the Tortoise-Fly, and to all my fellow Canadians on the list. If you are Canadian, e-amil me, I want to know how many of us there are. To everyone, don't expect any more parts until Monday, I'm going on vacation. On with the show The Cure (6/14) Angel paced back and forth, eagerly awaiting sunset. "Angel, love. Come out and play," Dru said through the door. "Coming Dru," Angel replied. He didn't really love Dru. He never really had. She'd just been an obsession. But he never got tired of making Spike jealous. It was so easy. "What do you want to play Dru?" Angel asked. He came out of the room and grabbed her hands. "I want to dance, but Spike wont' dance with me." "I'll dance with you Dru," Angel replied, grabbing Dru and spinning her into the main room where spike was sitting in his chair. Spike glared at Angel as he spun Dru and she laughed. When they came to a stop, Dru walked over to Spike. ‘What do you want to eat tonight Spike? Someone young? Someone old?" Dru asked him. "What I want is to be able to hunt for myself again." "To bad you're in the chair Spike. I'm going to get Buffy a present. The body of a certain red-haired hacker," Angel said. "Can I come Angel? Can I?" Dru asked, getting excited. "Sure, baby. As soon as the sun sets," Angel smiled, taking satisfaction in Spike's anger. ***************** Jenny fell into a chair, completely exhausted. The training the elderwoman had spoken of was physically tiring. "Take a break Janna. Have something to eat and get a drink. Our work is difficult, but we're almost through. I will find out how far they are in finding the spell. We will meet here in half an hour," the elderwoman walked off. Jenny remained in her chair. <> A few moments later a woman walked in carrying a tray. The woman was younger than Jenny. "Here Janna. The elderwoamn told me to give this to you. She said you would be hungry. I'm Alice, by the way. How are you feeling?" Alice asked. "I'm okay. Tired, but okay. Thanks for the food." Jenny started eating. She polished off every crumb. "Wow, you must have been really hungry." "Yeah, the training is pretty intense." "Why are you doing the training?" Alice asked. "I need to cast a spell," Jenny replied simply. "What spell? Why? To whom? Oh, I'm sorry, I really don't have any right to ask you all these questions." "That's okay. I guess a lot of people are curious. I just show up here, out of the blue and immediately plunge into training. You have heard the stories of Angelus?" "Of course. Everyone in the tribe knows the stories." "Well, I was sent to watch him. To make sure the curse still held. In the process, I got to know both him and a group of people he was involved with. Angel saved my life. "However, when we gave him his soul, the curse had a small flaw. If Angel experienced even a moment of true happiness, he would lose his soul. Angel loved a girl, but now that his soul is gone, he's breaking her heart. I want to make it up to her by restoring his soul." Alice nodded, and without a word, she leaned froward and gave Jenny a hug. Alice picked up the tray. "Good luck." **************** The vampire who stood on watch to wait for sunset came into the room. "The sun is down," he announced and left the room. Angle smiled and jumped off the table he had been perched on. Dru got up from her chair next to Spike. "Let the games begin," Angel said, grabbing Dru's hand. Spike looked upset. "Don't worry Spike, we'll bring you something nice," Angel reassured Spike. Angel picked Dru up and swung her around by the waist. "Let's party!" End part 6 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (8/?) by Ingrid Date: 09 Apr 1998 15:49:09 -0400 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Angel, Buffy, Cordelia, Willow, Xander, Jenny, Giles & company are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: ACK!!!! I'M OFFICIALLY ON VACATION NOW!!!! =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( Can you tell I'm happy?) We’re back with Buffy and Giles now. Welcome to my story. This one might be a tad difficult to understand at first, since it takes place ten years into the future, and I’m not telling you what’s happened in advance. I’m going to reveal that as time goes on in the story. I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. If you don’t get this, that’s because you haven’t read the other parts. If you want to get this, ask me for them! ********* "Reunion," by Ingrid Part Eight: "Phone Chain" ********* "Hello?" Buffy threw a few shirts into a large suitcase and motioned for Angel to do the same. "Giles? This is Buffy again. Listen, I talked to Cordelia, and she said-" "She called me, Buffy." Buffy was secretly relieved. "Oh! Are you…" "Yes, I’m coming. I know it’s important. In fact, it sounds extremely important. I hope we can be of use to her and the new slayer." "What did she tell you?" "Just a Latin prophesy similar to-" The baby was crying again, and Angel left the room quickly. "Similar to what?" "What was that sound?" "Oh, that’s just Wi-" "What?" Buffy sat down, and the cries were still. "Oh my God. I never told you, did I?" "What didn’t you tell me?" She waited. "That was my daughter, Giles." "Buffy, why didn’t you tell-" He stopped mid sentence as the answer and the past came rushing back to haunt him. "Oh." "You can uh… say hello at Cordelia’s." "You’re bringing her?" "Family vacation. We don’t get out much. Hey- maybe if we get this puzzle solved soon enough, we can go skiing or something!" "Buffy, my leg." "Oh. Well I’m sure we can find something to do," she covered, smiling even though he couldn’t see her, "So what were you saying? A Latin prophesy about what?" "It’s quite complicated. A bit too complicated to explain over a long-distance phone call, I’m afraid." "Oh, that’s right! I almost forgot where you are. It’s just hard to believe you’re so far away." Silence followed. "It’ll be nice to see each other again," Buffy offered. "Yes," he agreed brusquely, "Well, I don’t want to hold up your packing. I have some to do myself, actually." "Okay. I’ll see you there." "Yes. Goodbye." "Goodbye," she whispered into the receiver. **** END, PART EIGHT Send all your comments to me at Ingrid29@juno.com Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return to Normalcy," "One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a Chance," "Tragic Sighs" and "Footsteps." _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (7/?) by Ingrid Date: 09 Apr 1998 15:40:57 -0400 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Angel, Buffy, Cordelia, Willow, Xander, Jenny, Giles & company are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: This one deals with Xander and Cordelia’s relationship quite a bit. Welcome to my story. This one might be a tad difficult to understand at first, since it takes place ten years into the future, and I’m not telling you what’s happened in advance. I’m going to reveal that as time goes on in the story. I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. If you don’t get this, that’s because you haven’t read the other parts. If you want to get this, ask me for them! ********* "Reunion," by Ingrid Part Seven: "Picture Window" ********* Xander sunk into the overstuffed armchair and watched the flurries weave circuitous paths to the ground outside the huge picture window. The gently sloped landscape spread for miles in all directions, pure and untouched. Inside it was warm, but not particularly cozy. The ceilings were high, and the room bare and contemporary. The only furniture in it was the chair, a sofa, and a long, black and glass coffee table. He hadn’t turned the lights on, and the bluish glow from outside was creeping into the place, making it cold and uncomfortably large. He pulled his sweater closer for warmth. He didn’t think he’d ever get over how cold it was here, having lived in Sunnydale all his life. "Of the past!" His wife’s voice was exuberant, drawing his eyes back towards the kitchen, where light was dispersing the darkness near the arc of the open door. They’d been working like this all day, occasionally speaking out in joyous tones when they were able to translate something. Most of the time, though, there was simply silence. He scribbled something down in his notebook and mused on it for a while. Then he looked outside the picture window again. The snowflakes were really accumulating. They might have a storm on their hands tonight. He shivered and closed his small computer. He rested his head on the back of the chair and closed his eyes. Even their murmuring had died down now, and there was nothing. After a few seconds had ticked by, he heard the door open, a quick goodbye, and then it shutting yet again. A car pulled out of the driveway mechanically; smoothly. Soft footsteps approached, and he felt a delicate arm around his shoulders. He let her lift the tiny computer and the notebook from his lap, and set them on the table. She slipped next to him on the chair and buried her head in his sweater. He drew her to him with one arm, and watched the falling snow over her shoulder. Something red darted across a far off hill. A rabbit seeking shelter from this bitterly cold weather, he guessed, and sighed. He looked back at Cordelia. Her tired eyes were closed, and her arms loose around him. She was breathing shallowly; gently. At last, she rested. That was when the cell phone on the table rang sharply. Cordelia mumbled something unintelligible. He picked up after 4 rings, figuring that whoever it was that was calling wasn’t planning on giving up. "Hello?" He spoke flatly into the phone, with a tone that was almost complaining. "Xander?" He jumped at hearing her voice, which woke Cordelia up again. "Buffy?" "Yeah. It’s me. Listen, I don’t want to bother you, but is Cordelia available by any chance?" He looked at his wife, who was now bolt upright in the chair, worlds of worry on her tired face. "Yeah, she’s here," he sighed, and handed the phone over. "Buffy?" He watched her pull the tangled hair back from her face as she anxiously stood up. He watched her absorb the information, looking distant, thoughtful, and agitated. "Buffy, we’ve just read a prophesy- Corin and I have been having the dreams. You have to come up here as soon as possible. Do you have any vacation time?" She waited. So Buffy was going to show up again. He thought about what it would be like seeing her in the big house. Maybe they could forget what had happened. Or maybe they wouldn’t be able to, and they’d just stand there awkwardly, still wishing *she* was alive. "You’ve got to get Giles to come too," she answered into the phone, "Tell him it’s necessary. Tell him it’s important." Minutes passed reluctantly, and he found his gaze drifting back to the snow on the hill. The rabbit was gone. He heard the beep that meant she’d hung up. "She’s coming in two days." ***** END, PART SEVEN Send all your feedback to Ingrid29@juno.com Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return to Normalcy," "One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a Chance," "Tragic Sighs" and "Footsteps." _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (7/?) by Ingrid Date: 10 Apr 1998 00:10:25 -0400 Hmm... I don't think this part mailed correctly, because I didn't get it myself, and I got part eight. Forgive me if this is a reprint! =) -Ingrid DISCLAIMER: The characters of Angel, Buffy, Cordelia, Willow, Xander, Jenny, Giles & company are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: This one deals with Xander and Cordelia’s relationship quite a bit. Welcome to my story. This one might be a tad difficult to understand at first, since it takes place ten years into the future, and I’m not telling you what’s happened in advance. I’m going to reveal that as time goes on in the story. I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. If you don’t get this, that’s because you haven’t read the other parts. If you want to get this, ask me for them! ********* "Reunion," by Ingrid Part Seven: "Picture Window" ********* Xander sunk into the overstuffed armchair and watched the flurries weave circuitous paths to the ground outside the huge picture window. The gently sloped landscape spread for miles in all directions, pure and untouched. Inside it was warm, but not particularly cozy. The ceilings were high, and the room bare and contemporary. The only furniture in it was the chair, a sofa, and a long, black and glass coffee table. He hadn’t turned the lights on, and the bluish glow from outside was creeping into the place, making it cold and uncomfortably large. He pulled his sweater closer for warmth. He didn’t think he’d ever get over how cold it was here, having lived in Sunnydale all his life. "Of the past!" His wife’s voice was exuberant, drawing his eyes back towards the kitchen, where light was dispersing the darkness near the arc of the open door. They’d been working like this all day, occasionally speaking out in joyous tones when they were able to translate something. Most of the time, though, there was simply silence. He scribbled something down in his notebook and mused on it for a while. Then he looked outside the picture window again. The snowflakes were really accumulating. They might have a storm on their hands tonight. He shivered and closed his small computer. He rested his head on the back of the chair and closed his eyes. Even their murmuring had died down now, and there was nothing. After a few seconds had ticked by, he heard the door open, a quick goodbye, and then it shutting yet again. A car pulled out of the driveway mechanically; smoothly. Soft footsteps approached, and he felt a delicate arm around his shoulders. He let her lift the tiny computer and the notebook from his lap, and set them on the table. She slipped next to him on the chair and buried her head in his sweater. He drew her to him with one arm, and watched the falling snow over her shoulder. Something red darted across a far off hill. A rabbit seeking shelter from this bitterly cold weather, he guessed, and sighed. He looked back at Cordelia. Her tired eyes were closed, and her arms loose around him. She was breathing shallowly; gently. At last, she rested. That was when the cell phone on the table rang sharply. Cordelia mumbled something unintelligible. He picked up after 4 rings, figuring that whoever it was that was calling wasn’t planning on giving up. "Hello?" He spoke flatly into the phone, with a tone that was almost complaining. "Xander?" He jumped at hearing her voice, which woke Cordelia up again. "Buffy?" "Yeah. It’s me. Listen, I don’t want to bother you, but is Cordelia available by any chance?" He looked at his wife, who was now bolt upright in the chair, worlds of worry on her tired face. "Yeah, she’s here," he sighed, and handed the phone over. "Buffy?" He watched her pull the tangled hair back from her face as she anxiously stood up. He watched her absorb the information, looking distant, thoughtful, and agitated. "Buffy, we’ve just read a prophesy- Corin and I have been having the dreams. You have to come up here as soon as possible. Do you have any vacation time?" She waited. So Buffy was going to show up again. He thought about what it would be like seeing her in the big house. Maybe they could forget what had happened. Or maybe they wouldn’t be able to, and they’d just stand there awkwardly, still wishing *she* was alive. "You’ve got to get Giles to come too," she answered into the phone, "Tell him it’s necessary. Tell him it’s important." Minutes passed reluctantly, and he found his gaze drifting back to the snow on the hill. The rabbit was gone. He heard the beep that meant she’d hung up. "She’s coming in two days." ***** END, PART SEVEN Send all your feedback to Ingrid29@juno.com Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return to Normalcy," "One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a Chance," "Tragic Sighs" and "Footsteps." _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (10/?) by Ingrid Date: 10 Apr 1998 23:45:28 -0400 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Angel, Buffy, Cordelia, Willow, Xander, Jenny, Giles & company are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: Yeah! I’m happy. Today is OFFICIALLY the first day of my vacation!!! That means that this one is kind of an "upper," at least compared to the more recent parts. You’ll like this one. I’ve included some sarcastic humor. Heh heh...what's humor? Welcome to my story. It takes place ten years into the future, but I’m not telling you what’s happened in advance. I’m going to reveal that as time goes on in the story. I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. If you don’t get this, that’s because you haven’t read the other parts. If you want to get this, ask me for them! ********* "Reunion," by Ingrid Part Ten: "Getting There" ********* Buffy struggled with the plastic wrapped utensils as the pilot’s voice came over the loudspeaker: "And now were passing over Skyville, home to the…" Damn. She could think of several vampires that had been easier to take care of than this. Angel was nonchalantly poking at his food in the chair next to her, having had more success with the stubborn packaging. He always poked at his food. Right now, though, it was getting really annoying. She was hungry, and she wanted to rip the fork out of his hand and use it herself. With one last effort, she yanked the wrapping open, and the plastic knife hit Angel in the arm. He looked at her briefly, and without saying a word, turned back to his food. She picked up the knife. Where was the fork?! She growled and stabbed the knife into the lifeless chicken breast. Fine. With or without the fork she was going to eat. Where had all this aggression come from, anyway? Anxiety, maybe? The chicken was a bit *too* chewy. With a short huff of anger, she shoved the tray back onto the shelf in front of her. Her stomach growled, but she ignored it. She refused to admit she was nervous. After all, it was only Xander and Cordelia, and Giles… That was the problem. Their phone conversations hadn’t exactly been the friendliest they’d ever had. Certainly the most awkward, though. Suddenly the lights dimmed, and she looked up. The movie was starting. Damn. She hated these things. They always played some lame black and white horror film, or worse yet, a romance. She glanced back at angel he was setting his tray down on the shelf with one hand, and the baby had the other hand occupied, clutching his index finger from her child-seat. Neatly, he set his utensils down and turned his attention to Willow, who was now making little gurgling sounds and getting shushed by the other passengers. Buffy reached under the seat and unzipped the duffel-bag a little, pulling out a warm bottle of milk. She nudged Angel and handed him the bottle. In moments, Willow was both pacified and sleepy, and the passengers seemed to think it was a good combination. Buffy was surprised when Angel turned to her and asked, "So, are you nervous?" "Why would you say that?" "I wouldn’t. Just a question. To tell you the truth, I don’t think they’ll be too happy to see me. Maybe I shouldn’t have come." "No, Angel." She patted his shoulder in reassurance. "You’re a part of my life." Looking at the baby, she added, "You two are a part of my life, and sooner or later, Giles is gonna have to accept it. You. Us. He’s just hurting." "I know. I could never blame him for it. How would I feel in his place. I think it was a miracle that he could have even stood in the same room with me without going insane." "Giles is a good person, and he’ll come around. I know it." "I hope so." The music struck a violent, cheesy chord, and Buffy looked up to see a goofy-looking man with plastic fangs rising from a coffin. Dracula. How appropriate. She dropped her head to Angel’s shoulder and groaned. "Just my luck." ******* END, PART TEN. Some feedback each day keeps the badfic away (Ingrid29@juno.com)! _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (9/?) by Ingrid Date: 11 Apr 1998 00:08:01 -0400 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Angel, Buffy, Cordelia, Willow, Xander, Jenny, Giles & company are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: We’ll get to hear from Cordelia in this one. This is the last angsty one. The next to parts will be fun, so just read this and stop your complaining! Welcome to my story. It takes place ten years into the future, but I’m not telling you what’s happened in advance. I’m going to reveal that as time goes on in the story. I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. If you don’t get this, that’s because you haven’t read the other parts. If you want to get this, ask me for them! ********* "Reunion," by Ingrid Part Nine: "Reflections" ********* Cordelia extricated herself from his arms. Her feet hit the cold floor and she shivered, stepping out into the airy sitting-room and leaning against the white wall. Cold. The wood floor was cold, the wall was cold, and the black leather armchair she slipped into was colder. She got up again. It was dark outside the great window, where her image was superimposed on a backdrop of stars. The eyes were dark and tired, and stars outlined her hair in gold. She took a wobbly breath and backed away- how she’d changed! She remembered some faces vaguely- Her father, right before he’d passed away, bitterly bemoaning his fate; Willow’s terrified expression even in death; and their grief-stricken faces at the funeral. Latin phrases danced in her head as fresh memory played back in her mind. The gentle light, her mission, their words, her mission, the line, her mission. It was always about her mission these days. She looked back at the bedroom door mournfully. She was surprised everyday when he didn’t emerge from that door with a suitcase and tell her he was leaving. She’d seen it in her head a thousand times and sighed late at night, while he slept. She hadn’t been getting much sleep for the past year: her job was finally taking its toll. And she felt nothing but pain and an endless responsibility. Moments of sanity were rare now, and she took little time to consider anything else but duty. She rubbed her temples to relieve the headache she’d endured all day and pulled out the pile of books from the shelf. *Might as well get some work done, if I’m not going to get any sleep.* The translation had been one of the most difficult tasks she’d had to perform so far. Corin had been useful, as always, but now she was probably curled asleep in bed, Logarithms and cosines dancing in her head… The ease with which the girl had accepted her fate never ceased to amaze the new watcher. She’d slain demons as easily as she’d help her mother wash the dishes, or practice her viola. It was just another thing she did. Cordelia smiled at her innocence and strength. Something she’d lost over the years. She felt like an old woman, and it surprised her to see the brunette in the mirror each morning looking back at her. The watcher looked back down at her book. She wasn’t getting any work done. Funny. It was the thought of her responsibilities that were keeping her from them. She closed the cover, capable of neither sleep nor research. Her feet were getting numb tucked up under her. She stood shakily, and reentered the bedroom. It was pitch dark except for the red glow of an LCD- the alarm clock, with the little dot that meant she’d be waking up at six-thirty tomorrow. With a decisive air, she clicked a button, and the little dot was gone. She sunk into bed like a body being gently lowered into the ground. ******** END, PART NINE Send feedback to Ingrid29@juno.com please! Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return to Normalcy," "One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a Chance," "Tragic Sighs" and "Footsteps." _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" Note Date: 11 Apr 1998 00:24:04 -0400 Regarding part 10: I'd like to apologize for the grammatical errors. I wrote it very, very quickly, and I meant to send it to my editor, but somehow I ended up sending it to the list by mistake. I saw it in the digest and banged my head against the desk repeatedly. Whatever anybody tells you, I am not illiterate, really! -Ingrid Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return to Normalcy," "One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a Chance," "Tragic Sighs" and "Footsteps." _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC:The Watcher(4/?) Date: 11 Apr 1998 11:55:44 EDT The Watcher (4/?) by Jaclyn Amy TITLE: The Watcher AUTHOR: Jaclyn Amy@aol.com RATING: PG/PG-13 SUMMARY: This takes place four years later while the Buffy gang is attending Montague University near Sunnydale. Angel’s soul has been permanently restored, and he is 100% human. Jenny Calendar is still alive. Buffy will be getting a new Watcher. DISTRIBUTION: Ask me first. DISCLAIMER: I own none of the characters from or the movie or show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They were created by Joss Wheden and are owned by 20th Century Fox, Sandollar Television, Mutant Enemy, etc. No infringement intended. FEEDBACK: Please be nice; I’m still a newbie. Buffy slept fitfully. She woke up, startled, put her hand to her head. She reached over to her lamp, turned it on, and let out a sigh. She took her glass from her nightstand for a drink, but found it nearly empty. She got up to fill it. Buffy came out of her room holding the glass and walked down the hall. Behind her Drusilla stalked her. Buffy opened the door to the bathroom and suddenly found herself at the Bronze. A slow ballad, played. Buffy ventured in. She found Oz sitting at a table with a large cup of cappuccino and an organ grinder's monkey. To the monkey, he says, "L'hippo a pique' ses pantalons." (The hippo stole his pants.) The monkey on the table squeaked. Buffy walked up to the table and looked at Oz curiously. He smiled at her and waved. Buffy raised her hand back, but remained confused about the monkey. Buffy continued on and found her Xander holding a large cup and saucer. He saw her coming and turned to face her. "Do you really think you're ready, Buffy?" he asked. "What?" He dropped the saucer, and Buffy watched it fall. It shattered on the floor. He just turned and slowly walked away. Buffy watcheed him go, then looked around the room again. She walked past Oz again and through the crowd to the stage. It's empty, no band tonight. She turned around and smiled warmly. Angel and Willow stood at the pool table. He smiled and started toward her. Buffy began to walk toward him. Drusilla suddenly appeared behind Angel. She is vamped out, and thrusted a stake into his back and pulled it out. He arched backward in pain. "ANGEL!" They reached out for each other. Before she could touch him his hand began to disintegrate to dust. The rings on his fingers fell to the floor. His body didn’t explode like most vampires', but just crumbled to dust. Drusilla lowered the stake and took the few steps toward Willow. She sunk her fangs into Willow’s neck and lowered the stake. "I’m back, Buffy." "No, Willow! Angel!" she shrieked. "Buffy, I’m here." Buffy awoke, Angel lying next to her. "It’s okay. I’m right here." "Angel, it happened again, the dreams!" "What dreams?" "Remember when I almost 17 I had the dreams about you dying and Drusilla being alive? Then it all came true. Well, I had the exact same dream, just with different people. You and Willow died, and Drusilla was alive. Angel, I killed Drusilla three years ago. She’s alive again, and you and Willow are going to die die. It’s a sign; a sign that something terrible is going to happen again. Angel-" Tears fell down her red cheeks. "Shh, shh. It’s going to be okay." "You can’t know that. You said it yourself at the docks, ‘We can’t be sure of anything.’ Angel, I lost you once. I can’t lose you again." "And you won’t. I won’t let it happen. I’ll protect you." "Angel, you can’t. You couldn’t protect me last time, and you can’t protect me now. No one can stop this from happening; my dreams about the master came true. The dreams I had about you and Drusilla came true. Now these dreams will come true." "We’ll just talk to Gi-" he paused, "Willow. She’ll be able to help you." "Angel, this is her first day on the job. She hasn’t been trained properly, and isn’t ready for this." "Buffy, Giles is gone. Willow is here. You’re going to have to learn to trust her as your Watcher, or your friendship is over." "But how can I? Giles and Merrick were both so old, so experienced. And not just in their duties but in life. Willow is so much more unexperienced, so much younger. Hell, she’s even younger than I am. How can I just forget all about Giles and trust Willow like she’s as good as him?" Willow appeared in the door way, "Thanks for having such confidence in me. Buffy, I thought I was your friend." She quickly turned away and ran down the hall." "Oh, God, what have I done?" End Part 4 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Angel's Lover" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Repost query... Date: 11 Apr 1998 11:03:10 PDT Sorry to butt in here.. but I posted a story a few months back called Sla= yer Be Slain.. in the last several months I have reworked and rewrote a = lot of the story, and I think it was much better.. so I was wondering if = anyone would mind if I posted the new version.. I'm only asking cause I = didn't want to inflict an already read story upon the masses. :) Let me = know if it's okay to repost! Angel's Lover (fondly known as Lea) "Love makes you do the wacky!" "When you kiss me I want to die." "I'm SO the net girl!" Defender of David Boreanaz... you know, the man with the fangs! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: G90210 Subject: BUFFYFIC: BBETA: Time Will Tell *Poem* Date: 11 Apr 1998 12:34:13 EDT This is just a poem I wrote one day. It's suppose to be about Buffy, but I guess it could fit in any of the other character you want, but that's up to you. FEEDBACK PLEEEEAAAASSSSEEE!!!!!!! It's the only way, I'll now if I'm doing good........or bad. Time Will Tell by:mInDy Do you know what you do to me, Everytime we touch, Everytime we kiss. Your love is the one thing keeping me sane. I know I'll have what's meant to be, Only time will tell what that is. Maybe it's you, Maybe it's another, Maybe it's death. I'll just wait for time to speak up. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Andrea Newbery" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Vampires Anonymous, (1/5) by Andrea Date: 11 Apr 1998 12:37:46 PDT Title: Vampires Anonymous Author: Andrea Newbery e-mail: anewbery@hotmail.com Distribution: sure, as long as I know where. Rating: PG-13 Spoilers: everything up to KbD Summary: I have been spending way too much time thinking about Angel's soul or lack thereof. That is not actually in the story but it is still true. Anyway I was thinking way to much on how Angel will get his soul back and I started thinking that it might be interesting if, say Willow found the ritual and performed it but made a slight mistake and restored the souls of everyone in the factory with Angel. So I decided to see what would happen. Disclaimer: The characters of Angel, Buffy et al. are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, the WB and whoever else… No copyright infringement intended. Please don't sue me I'm already up to my neck in debt! Feedback: Please...good, bad, whatever! "Angel, if you don't get over this self-pity gig and go to the meeting I may just change my mind on your existence and finish you off" Buffy stood glaring at her morose boyfriend. "That's why we started this group, to help you all deal with what happened to you." "But…" "Angel that's it, I'm going to the meeting, I'm in charge of snacks." With that she stomped out of his apartment totally fed up with him...again. Twenty minutes later she arrived at the library lugging two huge jugs filled with red liquid. She proceeded to slam them onto the table and throw herself into one of the softer chairs in the library. "Angel still giving you problems?" Giles came into the library carrying extra chairs from the gym. "Giles, I don't get it, why won't he participate, everyone else is finding it really helpful." Buffy stared at the table as if it knew the answer and wasn't talking. (Incidentally it did know the answer and no it wasn't talking). "Angel already regained and lost his soul once before, it's probably harder for him to accept that it happened again." With that Giles dropped off his load of chairs and headed out for the next pile. Buffy sat staring at the table for a while longer then got up and started moving things out of the way for the chairs to be set up. Xander and Cordelia came strolling in carrying stryofoam cups and paper plates. " Hey Buff where's Angel, home sulking?" Buffy just glared at him and continued setting up the chairs. After their usual quick fight Xander and Cordelia came over to help. "So, how many are we expecting for tonight, the usual twenty or has Willow resouled more vamps so we can start our own chain of vampire counseling centers and become filthy rich?" Xander smiled at his own joke. "Xander, do we have to go through this every week, yes the normal twenty will be here, and no of course Willow didn't do the ritual again, you know the disc was bad and she lost half the ritual!" She stood there glaring at him glad to have a focus for her frustration. Cordelia finished putting the chairs in rows and turned back to them. "Buffy really…you shouldn't get frustrated like that your face gets all wrinkly and before you now it you're going to look way older than you already are. And since your boyfriend is never going to age that is something your going to want to hold off as long as possible." "Gee thanks Cordy 'cause my day…life isn't already going bad enough." Glaring at the both of them she grabbed the jugs of red liquid and peered curiously at them, "How am I supposed to be able to tell which one is which because I will not be tasting it!" "I will." "Angel, you came!" Buffy smiled joyfully at him while Xander and Cordelia stared at him surprised. "So deadboy comes out of hiding, glad to see you again, which is as much of a surprise to me as I'm sure it is to you." "Thanks Xander, although I must admit I was counting on you to convince Buffy she should dump me so I could go back to the whole brooding guilt thing." "I tried man, I tried…I even tried to get her to stake you but no such luck." Xander peered anxiously at Angel to see how he would handle a little teasing and was relieved to see Angel staring at him with his ' I could kill you' look. Xander just smiled at him and went back to arranging the library while Angel taste-tested the jugs. "Buffy, where did you get this junk?" Angel was staring at her with a very pained look on his face. "Willie, he said it was fresh stuff" Buffy replied. "Fresh…. This was fresh when I was human, I'll go get some more, this stuff could cause a vamp to fall off the no human wagon." Angel then did his thing where he wasn't there as they all stood around thinking a joke, did no fun, guilt-ridden Angel actually attempt a joke. Admittedly a lame joke but still a joke. Simultaneously they then decided that no he probably actually meant it. With a group sigh they all went back to what they were doing. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Andrea Newbery" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Vampires Anonymous, (2/5) by Andrea Date: 11 Apr 1998 12:42:11 PDT Title: Vampires Anonymous Author: Andrea Newbery e-mail: anewbery@hotmail.com Distribution: sure, as long as I know where. Rating: PG-13 Spoilers: everything up to KbD Summary: I have been spending way too much time thinking about Angel's soul or lack thereof. That is not actually in the story but it is still true. Anyway I was thinking way to much on how Angel will get his soul back and I started thinking that it might be interesting if, say Willow found the ritual and performed it but made a slight mistake and restored the souls of everyone in the factory with Angel. So I decided to see what would happen. Disclaimer: The characters of Angel, Buffy et al. are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, the WB and whoever else… No copyright infringement intended. Please don't sue me I'm already up to my neck in debt! Feedback: Please...good, bad, whatever! Angel was strolling back to the library with his two bottles of actually fresh cow and pig blood when he ran into Willow, literally. Well not exactly literally since he wasn't actually running, on the other hand she was. "Hey, Willow, what's the rush?" "Oz was supposed to get the cake only we didn't notice the time of the month so he's not exactly in a cake sorta mind." Willow panted trying unsuccessfully to catch her breath. "Cake, what do you need cake for?" Angel was staring at her fairly sure he wasn't going to like the answer. "Spike and Dru. It's their one-year anniversary tonight and Dru wanted cake so…cake she's getting only Oz…. So now I have to find a bakery still open and I'm supposed to be printing off copies of the steps and…" He was right, he didn't like the answer but for Willow…he owed her. He still hadn't forgotten about the fish. "Okay Willow, I'll go get a cake, any particular kind?" Willow smiled at him, relieved to get one task off her plate. "Dru wants Angel food cake." "Angel food cake?" Angel immediately took on his guilt-ridden persona, head down, shoulders rounded. "Angel don't try to read a guilt inducing reason into that…please." " Whatever, I'll see you at the meeting." Angel and Willow took off then in opposite directions, Angel stopping long enough to hide the bottles in a bush. He started back the way he had just come muttering under his breath about Angel Food Cake and why he could never be forgiven and how had he ever ended up involved with these people. It was almost to much for him to comprehend, his life was turning from a tragedy to some sort of black comedy with everyone being way to amused by the horrible things that happened to them. The horrible things he had done to them and they all preached forgiveness, not only for him but for all the vampires Willow had accidentally re-souled when she preformed the ritual of restoration on him. Twenty-five vampires in all had been re-souled on that night. Twenty-five vampires all laying around the factory moaning and crying about what they had done. What a nightmare that had been, he'd been so busy trying to help the others deal with the whole soul issue he'd never had time to deal with his own guilt. Spike and Dru had to be the worst of the lot, both of them falling over him to apologize for things they had done to him. It was enough to make him hope they lost their souls again but no… Willow was very thorough and none of them would ever lose their souls again. He went to see Buffy three weeks after the ritual, to say good-bye and to tell her what had happened to the rest of the vampires in the factory. He'd never expected her to be so forgiving never expected the rest of them to do anything more than kill him on sight. He had actually been looking forward to that so imagine his disappointment at all of them trying so hard to help him feel better about what had happened. Even Giles had tried to help him explaining to him that he did not hold him responsible for the death of his girlfriend. For a while Angel was fairly sure that they were all actually vampires and were just playing some huge trick on him, probably something Drucilla had thought up. He gave up on this idea when he caught Cordelia's reflection in her compact. He then spent the next few weeks trying unsuccessfully to convince Buffy to kill the whole lot of them. He failed at this also, seems the whole gang had decided that the souls were not responsible for the demon actions and all kinds of other garbage that he was not falling for…again. Vampires with souls should always suffer, this was his new motto and no way was he giving it up for the forgiving, second chances junk Buffy and the others were preaching. Spike and Dru sure had fallen for it though, redemption through good deeds. Funny really, those two running around the Hellmouth doing the random acts of kindness thing. He could just picture Spike helping an old lady across the street. It would have made him laugh except he had made a vow to himself not too. He finally found an open bakery and paid way too much for the cakes. Cakes, for vampires, who don't actually need any food other than blood. It was enough to make a vampire want to run away. He headed back towards the school instead. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Andrea Newbery" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Vampires Anonymous, (3/5) by Andrea Date: 11 Apr 1998 12:44:05 PDT Title: Vampires Anonymous Author: Andrea Newbery e-mail: anewbery@hotmail.com Distribution: sure, as long as I know where. Rating: PG-13 Spoilers: everything up to KbD Summary: I have been spending way too much time thinking about Angel's soul or lack thereof. That is not actually in the story but it is still true. Anyway I was thinking way to much on how Angel will get his soul back and I started thinking that it might be interesting if, say Willow found the ritual and performed it but made a slight mistake and restored the souls of everyone in the factory with Angel. So I decided to see what would happen. Disclaimer: The characters of Angel, Buffy et al. are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, the WB and whoever else… No copyright infringement intended. Please don't sue me I'm already up to my neck in debt! Feedback: Please...good, bad, whatever! Meanwhile back at the school the vampires were starting to arrive. They wandered in slowly, still unsure that they would be welcome. They of course were since they were the reason the meeting was being held in the first place. Buffy ushered them all in, asking how their week had been and if anyone wanted to talk tonight. She wrote down the names of the few that did and handed it off to Xander who was running the meeting tonight. "Why am I running this meeting? I am one of the few creatures here who IS NOT a bloodthirsty killer?" Xander was looking hopefully at the gang thinking he may have found a way out. "Uh… Xander, remember the pig?" Xander blushed slightly and stammering something about how he never should have let it slip that he remembered that experience he stomped off to get ready to speak. "It's 8 O'clock Willow, are you sure you told him you needed the cake tonight?" Buffy was starting to get slightly panicked, if Spike and Dru didn't have their cake they would probably assume it was some sort of punishment for past sins and get all Angel-like again. She was pretty sure she didn't want anymore Angel-like people in her life, Angel himself was more than enough. Spike and Dru had come so far in the year since they had started this group; Dru was actually making sense some of the time. Not much sense but at least a little more than she had before. She was also, regrettably, obsessed with rescuing stray animals, so much so that Spike had threatened to move out of their house. Incidentally, the Sunnydale real estate market was enjoying a record year as the re-souled vamps moved above ground and the death rate decreased dramatically. Buffy watched the door anxiously as Xander called the meeting to order; praying that Angel made it back before the end of the meeting. "Hello everyone, I'm Xander, you already know that though, and…well I'm running this meeting tonight, Thomas was supposed to be doing this but sadly, he forgot to close the blinds when he went to sleep the other day…so, I'm sure we'll all miss him." Xander stood there nervously shifting from foot to foot silently cursing Willow for making the boo-boo that got them into this mess in the first place. "Tonight we have our first one year anniversary of the group and of Spike and Dru's joining. Also Sheila and Bobby are going to speak for the first time." Xander stared at Willow trying to cue her to hand out the groups outline sheets that they had finally typed up so that everyone could have a copy. Willow saw him staring at her and waved, she was to worried about the mess Oz was probably making in her basement to figure out that if Xander was staring at her there probably was a reason. Which there was. "Uh…Willow, do you have the hand-outs?" Xander was not totally comfortable yet with the fact that these vampires were not supposed to be considered enemies anymore. They were all playing on the home team now. The scooby gang had grown way to big for his liking. He found it odd that Angel was the only one of them he really liked. It could be that falling in love with one of his biggest enemies had caused him to go soft on the other one. Maybe it just was because Angel didn't like Spike and anyone who didn't like Spike was okay in his books. That vamp was entirely too flippant, entirely too sarcastic. In other words honing in on his territory. But no, he wouldn't think that way, everyone was so nice now, all forgiving, even Giles. It was enough to make a cynical mortal scream. Which he did sometimes in the privacy of his own bedroom. Not because he was cynical but because he had liked being part of a small exclusive clique dedicated to eradicating evil. Now who knew who was evil, a guy had to travel three miles outside of town just to find a one vampire who wasn't re-souled. That's what happens when you get a bunch of re-souled vampires desperate to erase their kind. Buffy would barely ever have to hunt anymore except for the fact that there were about ten times the normal amounts of other demons visiting Sunnydale at any one time. Seemed like the hellmouth had to have a constant amount of evil to keep it happy. Angel slipped quietly into the back of the library thankful for the centuries of practice he had sneaking around. He listened to Xander talk to the group about forgiving yourself for things that you couldn't change and had no control over. Xander of all people, he had been the last person he would have thought would fall for all this crap. Angel felt somewhat betrayed by Xander's turnaround. When he hadn't done anything horrible for over 100 hundred years Xander couldn't stand him and now that he had done horrible stuff to him and their friends Xander was okay with him. They all were okay with him and he couldn't help waiting for the other shoe to drop. No one could possibly understand let alone forgive the things he had done. Buffy kept telling him to accept what they were offering him, accept that they had big enough hearts to let him back into theirs. But even if they could forgive him, who they had known before he had reverted, how come they were so forgiving of Spike, Dru and their gang? They had only known them as monsters, he had known both of them before. He was glad for Dru's sake that they were helping them out. Spike still annoyed him like he had since Dru had first laid eyes on him. Willow handed him the guidelines then; he glanced at it and couldn't help smirking. They were still such innocents in spite of all their good intentions. They still had no idea of the atrocities these creatures had committed, still had the potential to do again. He couldn't picture Spike not giving in to the demons urgings at some point. They would be so disappointed if that happened. He couldn't help but worry for them. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Andrea Newbery" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Vampires Anonymous, (4/5) by Andrea Date: 11 Apr 1998 12:47:09 PDT Title: Vampires Anonymous Author: Andrea Newbery e-mail: anewbery@hotmail.com Distribution: sure, as long as I know where. Rating: PG-13 Spoilers: everything up to KbD Summary: I have been spending way too much time thinking about Angel's soul or lack thereof. That is not actually in the story but it is still true. Anyway I was thinking way to much on how Angel will get his soul back and I started thinking that it might be interesting if, say Willow found the ritual and performed it but made a slight mistake and restored the souls of everyone in the factory with Angel. So I decided to see what would happen. Disclaimer: The characters of Angel, Buffy et al. are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, the WB and whoever else… No copyright infringement intended. Please don't sue me I'm already up to my neck in debt! Feedback: Please...good, bad, whatever! "Okay, step one is…" Xander never could understand why they had to recite these every week, did vampires have really bad memories? "Do not feed off a human under any circumstan ces." The group spoke softly still somewhat afraid the humans would notice they were there. "Exactly, you can feed off of cow's blood, pig's blood... Willie always has a great supply of blood from the slaughter houses, make sure you check to see if it is fresh-he will try to cheat you. Also never steal from the blood banks, human blood is never okay. If you're really stuck try rats or mice." A sigh of distaste murmured through the group. "And number two is?" Xander was getting into the spirit of things now and had apparently decided that the spirit of things was eerily similar to the captain of a cheerleadin squad. "Never use your vampire abilities against humans." The chorus of voices was getting stronger, this rule were easier to follow than the first one. "That means no throwing rude clerks against walls, no going game face on children throwing rocks, no nothing!" The vampires all sat there looking as angelic as third-graders. "Number three?" Xander was getting progressively louder and Willow and Buffy were watching him nervously. Cordelia on the other hand was sitting with her face in her hands at the back of the room wondering and not for the first time what she was doing involved with him. "Never associate with the other vampires, the ones who don't have souls." They all were very happy with this guideline. None of them particularly wanted to be reminded of what they had been. "Right, that means if they're not here tonight, then they're not one of you. Some of you are actively involved in helping the slayer, which is great but I don't want anyone to feel obligated to. I understand that for some of you hunting your former comrades is very difficult and no one will think less of you for not actively hunting other vampires. On the other hand we believe guideline number five supercedes any reluctance you may have and it is?" Xander watched to see their response to this guideline, this was the one that was important to him. "Always protect any human from attack by any vampire or other demons." The stated it loud and clear and Xander was relieved. "Exactly, if any humans are being attacked then it is permissible to use your supernatural abilities to help them. We, as you know, weren't going to make this a guideline but after hearing from many of you about how helping protect humans from things you once did helps you regain some of your lost humanity we decided it was an important step. We want everyone to feel as human as is possible." Angel almost shuddered at the thought of how stupid this whole group thing was. A sorry group of vampires with souls trying to make their lives mean something other than death. Angel had thought that was possible for one shining moment over a year ago and everyone had paid dearly for that mistake. Of course now everyone thought Angel was the one with the attitude problem, Buffy was continually nagging him to be more involved in the group, to make more of an effort. He thought back to when Buffy had first seized upon the idea to have the group. They had been sitting in his apartment after he had finally realized that she was determined to forgive him for the horrible things he had done. He was too weak to fight her on this issue; he wanted too badly to be with her. So he was sitting there complaining about the newly souled vampires. How they were crying and moaning and generally being a huge pain in the neck. Which is something a vampire usually gives rather than receives. Anyway he was talking about how they had lost two to suicide that day. He thought it was a good idea, he only wished he had been able to do it. She was horrified at the thought of this. She actually thought he wasn't responsible for what he had done and therefore none of the vampires at the factory were. He could see the logic in her thinking but logic doesn't help much when your basic premise is wrong. He argued against her forgiveness for a while longer then he finally shut-up and decided to hate himself in private from now on. It was to late though, she had already decided to go talk to the vampires and see if she could help them. He thought for sure Giles would stop her but no, Giles thought the vampires could be valuable allies. Willow was always willing to give a second chance so Xander was his only hope. That turned out to be somewhat of a false hope. He remembered the first meeting, it was only Spike, Dru and himself there arguing over who was more evil and who deserved to die more and on and on. He had gotten really angry with Spike when Spike tried to apologize for trying to kill him and his girlfriend. He had turned Spike's girlfriend into a vampire could anything be worse than that? Well, he had also driven her insane. Dru just sat in the corner the first meeting whimpering 'I killed my bird, I killed all my birds' repeatedly. And here they were now a year later with a few less vampires and a lot less death. "Number six?" Angel was starting to worry this would never end. "Accept that you do have a demon inside you and resolve to always keep it under control" Exactly, Angel thought, remember you are a demon. "This doesn't mean you are a demon, just think of it as your bad side. You all have the capacity for good, we just want you remember that the demon will always be with you but that you are not the demon." Xander was a little weak on this guideline, he wasn't sure he fully believed it himself. He had been beaten down though by Buffy and Giles insistence on this fact. He had to trust they were right. He also had just realized he was running this meeting so if he decided to cut this guideline reading off here no one would stop him. "Okay, great, I think we all got the gist of it. You all have copies now so I say take them home put them on your fridge or whatever. You all now these by heart anyway." Xander saw Angel then lurking in the shadows at the back of the room and thought...cake! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Andrea Newbery" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Vampires Anonymous, (5/5) by Andrea Date: 11 Apr 1998 12:51:07 PDT Title: Vampires Anonymous Author: Andrea Newbery e-mail: anewbery@hotmail.com Distribution: sure, as long as I know where. Rating: PG-13 Spoilers: everything up to KbD Summary: I have been spending way too much time thinking about Angel's soul or lack thereof. That is not actually in the story but it is still true. Anyway I was thinking way to much on how Angel will get his soul back and I started thinking that it might be interesting if, say Willow found the ritual and performed it but made a slight mistake and restored the souls of everyone in the factory with Angel. So I decided to see what would happen. Disclaimer: The characters of Angel, Buffy et al. are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, the WB and whoever else… No copyright infringement intended. Please don't sue me I'm already up to my neck in debt! Feedback: Please...good, bad, whatever! "I would like to congratulate Spike and Dru on there first anniversary in the group, as you know the group started with just three of you and slowly built from there. Angel is also..." Xander voice trailed off as he felt the look Angel was giving him. Buffy was mouthing 'No' and shaking her head franticly. Right, he forgot Angel wouldn't do the group thing and had threatened to disappear if forced to. Tempting. "Anyway I invite everyone to join Spike and Dru in having cake and beverages to mark this milestone in their life." Xander walked quickly to the snack table hoping to get a piece of cake before the vampires got there. Nothing personal really, they just were used to eating there food live and so were somewhat rusty on table manners. Giles walked up to him with an obvious purpose in mind. "Xander, we were thinking" This did not bode well for him, "We think if you talk to Angel he may join in with the group." Him talk to Angel, try to convince him to join? He could do that; look like the big hero to everyone, succeeding were everyone else had failed. If he succeeded. He may just end up pushing Angel farther away; they had a bit of a rocky history. "Giles, Angel and I, we...well, we aren't exactly the best of friends.... And I'm not as sure as the rest of you on this group idea and..." He watched Giles to see if his words had any effect, the watcher simply motioned his hand towards Angel. Xander grabbed another piece of cake, he knew Angel wouldn't take it, but Angel food cake was his favorite. He did not want to have this talk with Angel but he was fully aware of how persuasive (read violent) Buffy could be when she wanted something. "So Angel, how's it going?" Angel just looked at him, suspicious of his motives. "Right I forgot, you-no-speak." Angel continued staring at him, almost daring him to say anything. Xander just took a deep breath and jumped in, "Okay here's the deal, everyone has decided that you need to be involved with this group. I have been chosen as the next unsuccessful person to try and convince you that you're not evil. I am not the best person to be doing this 'cause I'm not sure you aren't." Angel looked slightly interested at this news. "I do know however that you can control this evil, you did it before and you've done it for the last year unless maybe you've taken off for short killing trips?" Angel just looked at him. " Okay right, the way I see it Buffy and the others will never stop bugging you so you may as well give in and fake it. I do things for Cordelia all the time that I don't want to but they make her happy. I mean look at my clothes, they match. Do you think I would have done this?" Xander stopped talking for a minute as he thought about the horribly conventional clothes he was wearing. The things a guy will do for.... "So, I'm thinking, you go up there, say a few words, Buffy will be deliriously happy. I will be the hero and everyone will have a great evening" He watched Angel hopefully, praying he saw this as a sensible solution. After a few minutes Angel laughed and said, "So I just pretend to believe this feel good junk to get everyone to lay off? Xander you really should consider a career in politics." This sounded to Xander as if maybe he was thinking about it. "So..." "I'll do it, it serves them right for trying to force me into this." Xander could barely contain his grin; he was going to be such the hero. He took off for the front of the room dragging Angel behind him so he wouldn't change his mind. He grabbed the mike and spoke into it. "Okay is everyone ready to get back to business?" Everyone sat back in their seats; Buffy, Giles and Willow sat in the front row watching Angel anxiously. "We have someone here tonight who you all know, he is speaking tonight for the first time. Please give a warm welcome to Angel..." A gasp ran through the group, Angel had been very vocal about his thoughts on this stuff. They were all curious about him though. He represented hope to them, a human, the slayer, had actually fallen in love with him. Angel walked to the podium as Buffy grinned at him. He cleared his throat, took an unnecessary deep breath and began, " Hi, my name is Angel and I have a soul." The End ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: BUFFYFIC: Chronicles of the White Knight (7/?) Date: 11 Apr 1998 13:04:18 -0700 Name: The Chronicles of the White Knight #4 Never the One Author: Taygeta Address: taygeta@juno.com Feedback: Please send Uses in anything: Sure, but tell me first. Spoiler: Not really, might have mentioned a past episode. Description: Buffy's contemplations about Angel and Xander Disclaimer: The Buffy characters portrayed in this story and any other references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the property of its creater Joss Whedon, and its owners Mutant Enemy productions, Kuzui Productions, Sandollar Productions, and 20th Century Fox. Warning: Not really, just kissing, and no major violence or foul language. So, PG ************************ Chronicles of the White Knight #7 Unembraceable You By: Taygeta For the umpteenth time in numerous nights, Buffy found herself again in her White Knight's arms, but this time, they weren't dancing like they had done before. They were truly in an embrace, and this time when Buffy glanced to look at him, she saw his face as clear as day, she had begun to see him not through her eyes, but through her heart. Looking into this dream lover's eyes, Buffy kissed him, and pulled slowly away in a blush because she couldn't believe her boldness, although it was a dream. She looked up at him again and she saw him smile as he brushed a wisp of her blonde hair away from her cheek, kissing her there once, and then his lips found hers. Suddenly, he pulled away and began to walk away, leaving Buffy all alone. She saw him walk towards Cordelia, take her hand, and with his free hand he waved good-bye and all Buffy could think was Xander was gone. Buffy sat up straight and shook her head in confusion. It was still dark out and Buffy peered at the clock beside her and noticed that it was not even five o'clock. She exhaled deeply and thought that it was another perfectly ruined dream of the White Knight, and as she saw it now, Xander. Never did she think she'd be dreaming of Xander, never. No one, not even Willow was aware that she still dreamt of the White Knight a.k.a. Xander. She had never liked walking in the halls seeing Xander with Cordelia, but now that she was beginning to truly care for him, she had begun to hate it. Everything was seemingly getting back to a state of normality, well, as normal as Sunnydale, California could get. And in a Sunnydale norm, Xander and Cordelia were together and they were constantly doing what Xander had described as touchy-feely stuff, and although Buffy wouldn't admit it, she was actually jealous of Cordelia. Buffy could still remember the intensity that she had felt when he had kissed her, and the real thing was a million times better than a dream kiss, but that's all she was seemingly having and that's all it seemed she would ever get from Xander again. She touched her cheek with her hand, recalling how he had so silently, yet romantically said good-bye. Her eyes fell to a cross that glinted on her rack as the moonlight shone upon its metal, it was one of Angel's gifts. She shuddered recalling all the recent wrongs done by Angelus, and although he was and had never been the Angel she knew, she couldn't help but see the good in the bad. Her feelings for Angel had altered somewhat after the revealing of his demonic side, and although she still loved the Angel of the past, she was beginning to come to grips that the past was the past and the present and future nothing like it. She had lost her heart to Angel, but in time she had found it again, and although the scars were still open wounds in need of healing, she knew she had to move on. Yet, to what? To Xander...who was with Cordelia? Buffy shook her head and lay back down on her bed again, as she thought of random thoughts of her heart. They drifted to Angel...to Xander...to Angel...to Xander, etc., and she began to be lulled in a dream with these thoughts. There was Angel, her vampire with a soul of whom she had loved with all her heart and then there was Xander, her white knight who she was beginning to love. Sighing, she mumbled these aimless thoughts to herself, and the last thought that lingered stayed and befell her lips before she went into a rather deep sleep was, "Xander..." _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: BUFFYFIC: Chronicles of the White Knight (6/?) Date: 11 Apr 1998 13:04:54 -0700 I hope everyone had the time to read #5 In the Hands of Astarte, the one I couldn't send, but if you didn't, please e-mail me privately and I will send it to you. Now without further ado. -Taygeta ********************** Name: Chronicles of the White Knight #6 Decisions of the Heart Author: Taygeta Address: taygeta@juno.com Feedback: Please send Using in anything: Sure, but just tell me. Spoiler: Not really, just a few references to the show and past episodes. My own little ideas, but not really anything I think we'll happen as such. If it does occur, I had nothing to do with it. Disclaimer: The characters portrayed in this story and any other references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the property of its creater Joss Whedon, and its owners Mutant Enemy productions, Kuzui Productions, Sandollar Productions, and 20th Century Fox. In other words, these characters do not belong to me, and I am just borrowing them. Description: The Chronicles is not really a multi-part story, but is a series of stories, some of which piece together and some of which don't. #6 involves Xander and his inner conflicts with Buffy and Cordy Warnings: Not really, unless you don't like Xander and don't really want to read about him. So basically the rating is: PG. ********************** Chronicles of the White Knight (6/?) #6 Decisions of the Heart By: Taygeta Xander walked into his room with a sigh, as a million thoughts filled his mind. It would have been easier if Amy had made him forget everything, but despite the decisions he had to make, he wouldn't have wanted her too. Of course, his decisions were second in his mind right then because he had finally kissed Buffy. Only in his dreams had he ever thought that he would have ever done that, but it wasn't really a true kiss despite all the passion and intensity from he had felt. If it had been true, it wouldn't have taken a spell to make it happen. He thought of Cordelia and wondered where did they stand now? He had broken up with her, but that was during the spell and as far as Cordelia was concerned the break up was invalid. What he didn't understand with Cordelia was what made her go through such extremes for him to care about her, when he already did. Honestly, Xander could admit that he didn't love Cordelia, but he truly cared for her. Maybe she wanted more from him than he could even give to her. Maybe she wanted his heart, but to give her that he couldn't do, and wasn't sure if he could ever do such a thing. His heart wasn't his to call his own, and it hadn't been for awhile. Ever since she had come into his life, she had been a permanent mark in all of his thoughts and was almost unified with his soul. Xander knew that for his heart and soul to be found, they had to be found by her because to him, his heart was hers. His heart was Buffy's. He picked up his telephone receiver and was about to dial, but he quickly hung up the phone. He couldn't do it. He couldn't call Buffy. Xander still felt the sting that lingered on-and-off from that still healing wound of the day when Buffy had broken his heart by rejecting him. He wasn't sure if he could take another such blow, and he wasn't sure if his lost heart could either. Besides, despite the fire that he had felt when his lips met hers, he had very little doubt that Buffy still loved Angel and still yearned for his return. Angel, Angel, Angel, it was always Angel! Never was there a barrier so great, than he was, and never was there such a foe. Xander often found himself wondering, if there hadn't been an Angel, would he have stood a better chance to have Buffy to call his own? There were so many supposes and maybes and what-ifs in his life that he always threw that thought in the middle of it all, so that he could think of it later and probe and search for an answer that couldn't be found. Xander scoffed softly thinking that Angel's presence was always going to be the key. When he was there, it was 'Xander who?' And now, since Angel was there, it wasn't any longer, that, but rather like 'Xander, Angel's gone.' Xander minded his shoulder being the one she cried upon, he didn't in the least. He was glad that lately they had a very close friendship, whether it be because of Angel or not, Xander didn't care. He was just glad that they were such good and close friends. His philosophy was that if he couldn't love Buffy, as he wanted to, he could love her, as she wanted him to, as a friend. As he began to think about friendship, Xander couldn't help but think that the girl he was dating had never, ever been his friend in the first place. For long as he could remember, he had hated Cordelia, and in some aspects still did, but what was he doing but having make-out scenes with her? He didn't know how he succeeded in hating and liking Cordelia at the same time, except for the reason that he had some psychological disorder, but didn't anyone that dated Cordelia have one of those? Xander knew that Cordelia wasn't the one, and he knew that she knew it, too, but for now, they had each other. He supposed that had to have some significance, but he did feel like he was lying not only to her, but also to himself while being with her. Sure, they had their moments of passion, but there was nothing between them but that, a passion that would sooner or later burn out. One day, he knew that one of them, if not both of them, were going to decide to blow their flame of desire out...for good. What they had together wasn't even really a relationship, but rather it was only tangible enough to be called one. If they had one to speak of, they would like each other more than they despise each other, and he would have some inclination to want to fall in love with her instead of being in love with a vampire slayer that was in love with a vampire. Yeah, their relationship was awkward, and at times very peculiar, but it was all they had, and having that was better than having nothing at all. Xander reached for the phone and began to dial Cordelia's phone number, but just when he was about to press the last digit, he slammed the receiver down in indecision. No, he couldn't call her either. He would be lying to her if he did, after all, he wasn't in love with her, and he barely liked her enough to say that he liked her. Xander was in a confused state of mind as he fought indecision trying to find logic in love and in passion, but there is no logic in either world, and he was beginning to see that. After a few minutes of thoughtful silence, Xander picked up the phone, and began to dial. He knew what he had to do. ******************* End of #6 What did you think? PLEASE send feedback! _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: BUFFYFIC: Re: Chronicles #7 Date: 11 Apr 1998 13:44:24 -0700 The title is says #4 but it is #7, I forgot to delete it when I was reusing the disclaimer. Sorry. Taygeta _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Redfire98 Subject: BUFFYFIC: Rendevous With Midnight (1/1) Date: 11 Apr 1998 17:23:42 EDT TITLE: Rendevous with Midnight AUTHOR: Tamara EMAIL: Aramat330@aol.com DIST: Already up at my site. If you want it, ask first please. SPOILERS: Just remember Angel is Angelus not Angel. Make sense? FEEDBACK: Please? With sugar on top? DISCLAIMER: These characters do not belong to me. They are the property of Joss Whedon and the WB. I'm just borrowing them to amuse myself during these hellish weeks of reruns. If Joss can screw up the characters lives, well darn it, as an almighty fic writer, I can mess with them too. Just remember that his is real and mine is just pretend. So if I do something you don't like, tell yourself it's only a story. Note: I'm amusing myself. Thought it'd be fair to let you know before you read. See how nice I am. Be prepared. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rendevous with Midnight Darkness. It was all she saw, all she felt. All around her there was nothing but darkness. She walked down the street, oblivious to her surroundings, focusing only on the dark. She could sense him near, knew he was waiting for her. She knew it was dangerous, knew he had no qualms about taking her life. But somehow, she couldn't resist the darkness. She couldn't resist him. She stopped at the entrance to the apartment, her mind giving one last scream for her to leave. She was unarmed, her mind totally unfocused on destroying him. She was't ready to kill him, didn't think she'd ever be ready to truly defeat him. She knew that she should be running away, knew she should be trying to save her life. But some little part of her wanted to be there, some part of her needed the darkness that surrounded him. So, with total disregard for her life, she took that final step into the apartment, into his domain. He was sitting there waiting for her. She spotted him as soon as she stepped over the threshold. His eyes were focused intently on her, a slight smile graced his lips. As she walked toward him she wondered what the smile was for. She knew it wasn't because of past memories of this place, knew it wasn't because he cared about the time they'd spent in this room. No, the smile had to be there because he was certain she couldn't stay away from him. She would do anything to be with him. Even give up her life. He stood up suddenly and she halted her steps, not sure of what to do next. He held out a hand and, with only the slightest hesitation, she took it. He hauled her roughly to him, his arms crushing her against his chest. "Are you going to kill me?" she asked him casually, as if they were talking about the weather. It surprised her that she wasn't afraid to die. Angelus raised an eyebrow as he looked down at her. "Maybe," he answered with a shrug. "I haven't really decided yet. Why? In a hurry to die?" Buffy smiled. "No, just wanted to be up to date on things." "Glad I could oblige." He leaned down until his lips were just a breath above hers. "Why are you here?" That was one of many questions she couldn't answer. What was she doing there? She'd been asking herself that question all the way over here. Why couldn't she stay away from him? Why did she always come back, knowing that he could kill her, understanding that her weakness, her inabilty to destroy him, made him stronger? Why did she keep torturing herself? Why couldn't she reject the darkness? Why was she so entranced by him, the creature so intent on making her suffer? Those were questions she feared she would never know the answers to. They were too hard, too complex. She just didn't know how to answer them. Maybe there was no answer. Maybe it was all some big joke. She smiled, briefly, as she pictured the higher powers looking down upon them, entertained, as they silently manipulated their latest toys. Make the Slayer attracted to her enemy, she thought with a look at the ceiling. I hope you like the show we're giving you. She turned her attention back to the one holding her in his arms, looking deep into his eyes searching for answers, only to receive more questions. Looking into the depths of his eyes, eyes that held no emotion, no hint of feeling whatsoever, not anger, not hate, not love, she saw herself. In his eyes she saw what drew them together, she saw what forced them to back to each other, despite the hate. In his eyes she saw darkness. The same darkness she saw in herself. Pulling herself from her thoughts she focused on Angelus. He was still watching her, waiting patiently for her answer to his question. She had a feeling, though, that he already knew the answer. "Why am I here?" she repeated the question, finally ready to speak. "I'm here because I can't help but be here. We're connected. We can't fight it. We're drawn together and though we hate it, we go along with it because we have to." There was a light of understanding in his eyes and she knew that he was aware of what was between them. And he didn't like it any more than she did. But what they wanted didn't matter. "I can't kill you," Buffy said with a sigh. She reached up and wrapped her arms around him. "At least not yet. I want you. I don't want to, but I do. But eventually I'm going to work up the nerve to destroy you. I *will* destroy you." "And I'll destroy you," Angelus replied, his voice confident. Buffy nodded, knowing he was right. It was the only way they could go. When their fight was over, both Slayer and Vampire would be gone. Another Slayer would come and take her place, another Vampire would lead the clan. But Buffy and Angelus would be no longer. They knew it and accepted it. It startled her when his lips came down on hers, rough and demanding. It was something she hadn't expected to happen. But she didn't waste time being cautious. Pulling him closer to her, she opened up to him, letting him inside her mouth, inside her soul. As he deepened the kiss she once again felt the shadows that surrounded them. As Slayer and vampire kissed, as their mouths melded together, they connected. Good and evil disappeared, love and hate evaporated. There were only two people, their passion... And darkness. Tamara, Countess of Naughty ~ Aramat330@aol.com ~ Leader of the Caravan to Hell, Goddess of Chains and Wine Webpage: http://members.tripod.com/~Aramat1/fanfic.html "You do know you've lost every bit of sense you've ever possessed, right?" -Devin, my best friend. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: hjrobert@nap.com Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: The Ties That Bind (4/?) Date: 11 Apr 1998 17:29:50 +0000 that was a great story! -holly "do yuo like daisys? I plant them, but they always die... evrything I put in the ground withers and dies... Spike, I 'm cold -drusilla - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: BUFFYFIC: My Moira (3/?) Date: 11 Apr 1998 16:40:06 -0700 Title: My Moira (3/?) Author: Taygeta E-mail: Taygeta@juno.com Feedback: It's new and I really need the thoughts, so please send. Distribution: Anywhere you think appropriate, but please tell me first. Spoiler: Not really Description: Twenty years into the future, 'nuff said. Disclaimer: The Buffy characters portrayed in this story and any other references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the property of its creater Joss Whedon, and its owners Mutant Enemy productions, Kuzui Productions, Sandollar Productions, and 20th Century Fox. Rating: PG ****************** My Moria (3/?) By: Taygeta "Here you go, Cordelia," said Buffy handing her a cup of black coffee before Buffy sat down on the couch beside her. "Thank you," said Cordelia taking a sip of the piping hot liquid and sighing tiredly, hoping the coffee would help her feel less fatigue. "S-so Cordelia, I-I thought you were busy training the new slayer, u-um, Annie, wasn't it?" asked Giles who, with his former Watcher sense, noted that something was wrong, but everyone was noting this. "Annie, um, died a few days ago, Giles," said Cordelia softly before she took another sip of her coffee. "She died?" asked Buffy in surprise and she felt Xander squeeze her hand in comfort as she continued hesitantly, "How did she die, Cordelia?" "She was challenged," said Cordelia, who wasn't sure if she should tell Buffy the entire story. "By who?" asked Buffy, noticing Cordelia's reserve. Cordelia glanced at Buffy momentarily before she glanced at her steaming cup of coffee and mumbled, "Angelus." Buffy stood up with a start, unsure if she had heard correctly, "What?" "Angelus has come back and he killed Amy," said Cordelia looking up and she saw Buffy's eyes widen. "It's my fault! If only I had killed him when I had killed Druscilla and Spike!" Buffy scolded herself aloud as she let go of Xander's hand. "B-Buffy, it's not your fault. Angelus ran before you could destroy him," said Giles insisted trying to comfort his former charge. "But, Giles, it is my fault," said Buffy softly recalling that she had made him what he was...evil, "I made Angel turn to Angelus." "You weren't to know the consequences, Buffy," insisted Willow as she rocked her baby in her arms, hoping that all of this screaming was not going to wake her noisy child. "Will's right, Buffy," said Xander standing up and taking Buffy into his arms, "You didn't know that that would make him turn to the dark side. All you knew was that you loved him and you cared for him and although that wasn't make it right, it doesn't make it wrong either." Buffy sighed as she heard the beating of her husband's heart and hearing these words for the first time from him; his acceptance of her past love and wrongs seemed to make things a little bit easier. "It's just that he's killed so many and I still can't believe, even after all these years, that he can't be the Angel I knew." "Um, I hate to break up this moment, but there's something you both should know," said Cordelia glancing at them hesitantly, knowing that this wasn't exactly the best time to tell them, but they had to know and they had to be prepared for the worst. "What is it, Cordelia?" asked Buffy glancing at the Watcher with widened eyes, "What is it that you have to tell us?" "Since Annie's now, um, dead, a new slayer has been initiated," said Cordelia taking another sip of coffee before she placed the cup down, "You all know that right?" "Right, a slayer is initiated when the former slayer dies or the slayer is allowed to retire," said Xander nodding, "Of course we know this, we've all been immersed in everything slayer for a long time, not lately, but it's not something you forget." "Get ready to be re-immersed," said Cordelia biting her lower lip hesitantly. They all turned to Cordelia and Xander replied, "What do you mean Cordelia?" "The new slayer...it's Moira..." _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (11/?) by Ingrid Date: 11 Apr 1998 21:22:36 -0400 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Angel, Buffy, Cordelia, Willow, Xander, Jenny, Giles & company are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: Yeah! I’m happy. Today is OFFICIALLY the first day of my vacation!!! That means that this one is kind of an "upper," at least compared to the more recent parts. You’ll like this one. I’ve included some sarcastic humor. Humor? What's humor? Welcome to my story. It takes place ten years into the future, but I’m not telling you what’s happened in advance. I’m going to reveal that as time goes on in the story. I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. If you don’t get this, that’s because you haven’t read the other parts. If you want to get this, ask me for them! ********* "Reunion," by Ingrid Part Eleven: "A Reintroduction" ********* Buffy was getting more and more agitated the closer they got. When they picked up the rental car, she made Angel drive, and she watched the baby in the back seat. She couldn’t stop her hands from shaking. If she were a smoker, this would have been her cue to whip out a pack of cigarettes and perhaps smoke the entire contents at once. But she wasn’t. What the hell was she supposed to do to quell this nervousness- slay a couple hundred vampires? The car crept into the driveway. She could have sworn she saw a snail speeding past. Angel was a judicious driver. Funny. She’d always appreciated it until today. Now she felt like slamming down the gas herself. Buffy decided to take the time to look at her surroundings. What she saw was gorgeous. The whole scene was covered in snow, including the entire landscaped garden. The house was massive, its edifice dwarfing anything that stood in front of it. What was most beautiful of all was a cement fountain, now non-functional and covered with snow, in the shape of a swan. Angel took the baby from her hands as she stepped out of the car, probably afraid she would drop it from the way she was shaking. Steady. Xander and Cordy, that’s all. Absently, she noticed the forest surrounding and isolating the place at the same time. The treeline was dark in contrast with the pure white around them. The air was chill and silent, cutting thoughts abruptly. Something moved in the woods for a moment, and then all was still again. When she made no move to do so, Angel knocked on the door with his free hand. She felt numb. With a flourish, the great door swung open, and a beautiful woman answered. Cordelia, she recognized immediately, and flashed her a stupid grin. She’d obviously dressed for the occasion, looking almost as nervous as Buffy did, God knows why. Her hair was luxuriantly tied into a lose bun, curled strands of the dark silk framing her face. Her dress was a pretty, conservative, long gown, in dark green velvet. Her wedding band was the only jewelry she wore. She looked prettier now, certainly, if that was possible, but there was something different about her that Buffy couldn’t quite put her finger on. She looked cautious now; reserved. It was almost…responsibility. After a few moments of staring at each other, Cordelia gathered her senses. "Buffy, Angel, hi! Come on inside! It’s cold out there!" She waved them inside, and immediately took notice of Willow. "Oh my God. She’s beautiful." Buffy smiled up at her kind expression- something she’d never thought she’d see from the former May Queen. The watcher snapped out of her reverie. "I’m sorry! Can I take your coats?" They handed them over. "What, no servants," Angel asked, surprised, when Cordelia was gone. "They might find out," Buffy answered logically, painfully aware of the secretive nature of the whole business. Cordelia returned quickly, and led them inside. Buffy looked around at the beautiful, tasteful interior and then back down at her dress. She frowned. The simple long black silk didn’t seem like enough. "Xander’ll be down in a minute. He got inspired about a couple of hours ago." They stopped in a modern sitting room, standing in the center. Cordelia scanned Buffy for a moment and smiled. That’s when she was completely taken by surprise. Cordelia hugged her warmly. "I’ve missed you," she heard over her shoulder, in a strangely emotional voice, "both of you." Releasing Buffy, she hugged Angel with the baby still in his arms. Buffy half expected to see her sneering over Angel’s shoulder. Instead, her eyes were closed, a mixture of joy and pain spread over her face. She looked dangerously close to tears. Hell was freezing over, and it wasn’t so bad, Buffy thought. Cordelia gathered herself together quickly, straightening her dress and offering them seats. "Would you like anything to drink? I got some champagne I think you’ll like. We went out and bought it today. They acquiesced, and she returned with three glasses, bubbling with the ginger liquid. Buffy sipped at hers slowly, beginning to relax. It was a start. A *good* start. She heard footsteps coming down stairs and closer. Xander. She took another sip of champagne as all that relaxation went right out the window. *** END, PART ELEVEN. Some feedback each day keeps the badfic away (Ingrid29@juno.com)! "Isn't this a bit inappropriate for the kiddies?"-The Man With the Drawl _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: BUFFYFIC: Capeside Stories Date: 12 Apr 1998 13:35:59 -0700 I can't send my capeside stories, they're too long. Just go to: http://www.bfree.on.ca/ppages/trish/ if anyone wants to read them, and any of my other stories that my friend as placed on that list. Taygeta _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Catl274935 Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: Repost query... Date: 12 Apr 1998 16:39:30 EDT YES!!! Please repost "Slayer be Slain". I loved that story. I've already read it like a million times, but I wouldn't mind one bit reading it another million. It is my FAVORITE fanfic. An excellent example of how fanfic should be written. But, that's just my opinion. Looking forward to reading your story AGAIN AND AGAIN, Vampcat SVS #15 RASF #54 Member of RABID "They were two halves of the same whole: as pure as the day when human, as dark as the night now that they were whole vampires." from "Slayer be Slain" by Angel's Lover - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: BUFFYFIC: Within Me (1/1) Date: 12 Apr 1998 14:42:40 -0700 Title: Within Me (1/1) Author: Taygeta E-mail: taygeta@juno.com Feedback: Please!!!! Disclaimer: The Buffy characters portrayed in this story and any other references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the property of its creater Joss Whedon, and its owners Mutant Enemy productions, Kuzui Productions, Sandollar Productions, and 20th Century Fox. Author's Note: This is my first try at Angel/Buffy fanfiction. I've never really liked the idea of Buffy and Angel, so I've never tried it. But I got to thinking that I might as well write one because I do have sympathy for Buffy's lost. Considering this is my first Buffy and Angel fanfic please send FEEDBACK!!! ******************** Within Me By: Taygeta Angel... I often say that name to myself in a whisper that seems to echo in the silence of the night. That one single word that causes pain to rise from my heart and tears to fall my eyes. Memories of his love and my love for him, that seem so ancient to this day, clash with new ones made of his hate against me and that which sprung from mine against him. Although I know it is but that alternate self that I hate, I cannot help but still see the golden heart of that which use to be dominate in his image. They are the same, yet they are different, and how can this be? The same image shared, but two differing feelings of heart I have for something one in the same. My mind is clouded with battling memories and heartache of two types, each worse and worse by day and by night. I long to understand, but such knowledge I have yet to find. Angelus...Angel... Two names, two souls, two hearts, contained in but one form. In my mind, I can separate the two, but in my heart I see them still as one. A change so sudden that it made be stumble and it made me fall. And as I fell into the darkest depths I wondered how I could live without you. In time, my lost self was found, but my lost heart forever gone. He's not the same guy you knew... They all say to me that he isn't the same and that the one I love is gone, but I cannot accept such words. He is not gone and shall never be gone. I have accepted that not in bodily vessel shall find his heart, but within me he lives. Within my heart he dwells, and within all that is myself, he shall survive. ***************** The End What did you think? _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: uzenet@videotron.ca Subject: BUFFYFIC: Discuss: Help Date: 12 Apr 1998 22:19:39 -0400 Sorry if that isn't the proper subject heading for this. I'm new here, and I was wondering if anyone would be willing to read over the story I'm writing. So far, it only has three parts (none of which are more than two pages). I'd rather that my story wasn't horrible. Mildly bad I don't mind, but not horrible . Northlight - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" Interlude # 1: "Lighting Cracks" by Ingrid Date: 12 Apr 1998 23:26:45 -0400 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Buffy, Giles, Cordelia, Spike, Drusilla, Willow, Angel & co. are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: I’ve decided to help explain the past through a series of interludes that will be interspersed throughout the story as it goes on. This series is obviously meant as a companion to the aforementioned "Reunion." These flashbacks take place about 9 years before "Reunion," give or take a few months. Needless to say, if you haven’t read "Reunion," this won’t make much sense to you. If you don’t have parts 1-11 of it, you can write to me and request them. My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. Oh! BTW, I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! "Reunion" Interlude # 1: "Lightning Cracks" by Ingrid The gas pedal almost buckled under her feet. When it’d seemed to recover, she slammed it down harder, the blinding light of insane hope pumping through her brain and twisting her nerves. She heard a crash as she sideswiped a Buick. She was ducking now, driving the car like it was a racing bike. The school parking lot was right ahead, but she wasn’t looking for the parking lot. A strange rhythmic pulse was driving her to even greater accelerations. In a moment, she realized it was the rock music blaring from the speakers of the radio she’d forgotten to turn off. She hadn’t noticed it for the five minutes she’d been careening through the neighborhood as fast as the car would take her. In the distance, she saw the smoke, the fire, and the figures near it. They grew larger, and soon she could recognize faces of flickering terror. She didn’t see the tree. Or Giles, for that matter. She watched herself crash into both without being able to do a thing to stop it. Then suddenly, nothing. And voices gradually became louder. They were screaming. Her head was stuck to the steering wheel. She yanked away, and heard a tearing sound. Blood dripped onto the dash. Without processing anything but the task at hand, she grabbed the orb from the seat. Damn. That had been close. What if it had smashed… Oh my God. She traced the crack in the orb and her heart sunk, but it was this or nothing. Giles was on the ground close to the tree, his leg a mess of blood and gore. His face was calm, and when he saw her with the orb, he looked up and the light of urgency lit his eyes. She ran to him, screaming his name, and how sorry she was, and thousands of other things he didn’t have time for. "Buffy!" He screamed at her and ripped the glass from her hand. Just then she heard another scream from behind the tree. She rocketed past it to see the body of a red-haired teenager enveloped in the vampire’s arms, struggling against him with every ounce of strength she possessed. But it wasn’t enough. Buffy couldn’t tell whether the roar in her ears was her own scream or Xander’s. All she knew was that she was going to kill him. Now. She knocked into him. He didn’t expect it, and Willow dropped to the ground. Buffy tackled him, and began to repeatedly smash at his chest. She didn’t have her stake? Where was her stake? In the car. She was dead, she realized without feeling. There was no chance for her. Dead. She waited for the inevitable onslaught, and winced as she saw him coil himself for attack. It never came. There were two distinctive flashes of light, and then all the rest was caught up in a glowing blur. Giles had cast the spell. Blackness swam before her eyes and she gave into the dark, shutting them, and relaxing against the ground. If it was the ground. She felt completely turned around now. Lost. And suddenly something sweet touched her, something more real than any dream. *He* touched her, pulled her to him, and she let him, completely still and dead. Somehow, she knew he was crying. Then all shimmered gold and white and she felt herself slip away. ********* END, INTERLUDE #1. "God help me, if he doesn’t stop, I’ll go out of my mind in a minute." "Why Don’t you? That would be something, anyway." --John Osborne, "Look Back In Anger" _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Angel's Lover" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Slayer be Slain ~ First Mailing Date: 13 Apr 1998 03:05:45 PDT Okay.. the following is a repost of Slayer be Slain.. reworked and rewrit= ten from the time of it's original posts. As a warning, there is a direc= t line taken from "Angel" in the third part, I realize this, and I meant = this as a refference to Darla to explain Buffy's state of mind at the tim= e. The characters of Buffy, Angel, Giles, Willow, Xander, Oz, Cordy, Spi= ke, Dru, and Ms. C (obviously this was written before Passion was aired) = are not mine, they are the creations of the God of all Buffdom, Joss Whed= on, Mutant Enemy Productions and Warner Bros. Spoilers are from anything= before up to and including Innocence, tho the only direct spoilers are = from Surprise and Innocence. I am not making any money from this, and no = copyright infringement was intended. Please direct all comments to Lea = at either lfox@continuum.org or angelslover@geocities.com . Thanks for = reading!!!! _______________________________________ Slayer Be Slain ~ First Mailing She ducked behind a gravestone, silently trying to move around him before Angelus had the chance to notice her. Her ex-boyfriend was busily sipping the blood from the neck of some unfortunate girl. Buffy could tell even from this distance that there was no chance to save this victim, but the moment she had been waiting for had arrived. This was her ultimate chance to kill Angelus once and for all. She looked down at the claddagh ring that she still wore upon the ring finger of her right hand. Its silver band shone in the white light of the nearly full moon, reminding her of the night Angel had given it to her. It had been the night of her seventeenth birthday, the night they had first made love, and the night she had lost him forever. Engraved into the silver band were three tiny designs: on either side, a pair of clasped hands; on the top, a royal crown; and in the center, a heart, the apex of which she wore pointed towards her. Angel had told her to wear it this way; in ancient Irish tradition this indicated that she belonged to him. Her finger caressed lightly the delicate designs, noting how softly the hands clasped the heart. They were designed so perfectly they seemed to cradle the heart as though it were a living, beating organ. She sighed. Angel's friendship had meant everything to her; when the Gypsy curse broke, turning Angel back into Angelus, Buffy had lost more than a lover, she had lost her best friend. = Her eyes shifted to the crown, noting how differently it had been designed. Though merely silver, without the colour of brilliant jewels to identify how rich its owner would have been, it drew her attention all the same. The two dimensional crown had a three dimensional effect as Buffy could almost see the actual crown waiting to be plucked from the ring and worn by a royal dignitary. The crown was supposed to indicate loyalty; but there was no reason she should remain loyal to Angel now. He was no longer the man she had once known; his vampire side had taken over, and destroyed everything. Buffy allowed her eyes to fall back upon the heart. Her finger lightly traced the very plain design. It was no more than a heart, carved with perfect symmetry into the flawless silver of the ring, only it seemed to shine more brilliantly than the other designs in the white gleam of the moonlight. = It was while looking at the heart that she finally sighed. Slowly she slipped the ring from her finger, twisting it in her hands so that the apex of the heart no longer pointed towards her. She no longer belonged to Angel. As she slid the ring back on, the glow of the heart faded into the shine of the rest. No thoughts of friendship, loyalty or love were going to keep her from doing her sacred duty. The part of her that had so cherished what the ring had once meant finally died, and she was free to do what she must. The body of the now drained teenager dropped to the damp earth with a sickly thud, and Angelus drew the back of his hand across his mouth. He grinned in the darkness. Buffy's eyes rose from the ring as he turned around. "Do you really think that gravestone can hide you, Buffy? I know you're there.. I can smell ya!" She rose from behind the gravestone and scowled. "Could you be any yuckier?" "Just wait until I sink my teeth into your soft throat, lover. You'll find greater pleasure in my feeding than you ever did in my arms." She sighed, "Apparently so." "Is this where it is to be, Buffy? In the graveyard? Where no one but the dead can hear your screams?" She shrugged, "At least you'll be among friends." She reached into her bag, "Ashes to ashes, Angel," and pulled forth a stake, "Dust to dust." With a growl he leaped forward, his arms outstretched for her neck. She ducked, her fist striking upwards connecting with his solar plexus. He gave a loud grunt and fell to the ground. Buffy pouted sarcastically. "Awwww.. did the big bad vampire fall down go boom?" He smiled up at her and licked his fangs, "Why don't you come down here and I'll give you something to remember me by." She scowled, "So over that minor detail!" He snarled and lunged upwards, catching Buffy by the shoulder and sending her reeling into a solid gravestone. Pain shot through her but she shoved it aside and stood. "Stick with me, baby, and you'll see stars!" He leapt at her again, his fist connecting with her cheek, the claddagh ring on his right hand cutting into her flesh. He laughed at the sight of her blood, spinning and allowing his foot to cut across her jaw. She counteracted easily, bringing him to his knees with a short cut to the legs, landing a punch upon his nose. The vampire was flipped head over heels and landed spread eagled upon his back. In seconds she was upon him, knees straddling his waist as she reached for her stake. He smiled coldly. "Gee... this seems familiar." A lightening quick movement had him twisting their bodies so that Buffy was trapped beneath him. His grin widened. "Yep, something's definitely coming back to me now!" "Yeah, well, keep it where it is!" Buffy clawed her nails across his face, causing him to pull back in a brief moment of pain. She grinned suddenly, "Hey, lover, remember this?" Her knee came up solidly between his legs, causing the vampire to howl in agony. He rolled off her and curled into a ball. Buffy climbed to her feet, as Angelus recovered. She bent to retrieve her stake, his arms wrapped around her; one encircling her neck, cutting off her breath, the other encircling her waist, drawing her firmly against him. Buffy was solidly pinned, gasping as she felt his breath hot against her neck. His teeth grated over the tender flesh of her throat, and Buffy knew then that she was going to die. The fight ebbed out of her, and she closed her eyes, groaning deeply as Angelus's teeth sank into her neck. Her awareness of his feeding didn't last long, however; all sensation slowly began to fade from her mind. She slipped into unconsciousness. A long period of silence followed... how long she did not know. Confusion swept over her as faded images of her life ebbed closer to her mind and then away once more. There was no pain, no hurt, only the irresistible urge to feed. Soon she opened her eyes. Angel stood above her, and as Buffy peered around, she took in her immediate surroundings. She was in a dark warehouse, hidden deeply away from the sunlight. Spike and Drusilla watched from nearby, the female vampire hardly able to contain her excitement as she awaited Buffy's awakening. Drusilla moved to Buffy's side and lowered her lips to Buffy's forehead. "Welcome," she whispered, "I've always wanted a sister." Her lips brushed against Buffy's ear as she giggled, "We can have blood parties, and I'll introduce you to Miss Edith, and you can listen to my birdie sing, he has the sweetest voice. Oh, and one day we're going to destroy the world. Want to help?" With a laugh of pure insanity, Drusilla spun in a slow circle, and then moved back to sit across Spike's lap, allowing Angel to move in once more. Angel held out his hand to Buffy, pulling her gently to her feet, their matching rings sounding a soft chime as they came in contact. He enfolded her into his arms, and smiled down at her. "Was it as good for you as it was for me?" Slowly she ran her tongue across her newly sharpened teeth, raising her hands to trace the demon form of her face. She reveled in the feel of the new contours of her body, feeling vampirical strength flowing through her. She grinned up into the eyes of the demon she would eternally "love", pulling him into a deep kiss before backing away and spinning in a circle of delight. She laughed aloud, a long cruel sound, as she rejoiced in her new life. "Better, my love, oh, so much better!" She pulled him back to her and together they danced slowly across the warehouse floor. Playfully she nipped his ear before whispering, "Now, show me the stars!" ****************** Angel's Lover (fondly known as Lea) "Love makes you do the wacky!" "When you kiss me I want to die." "I'm SO the net girl!" Defender of David Boreanaz... you know, the man with the fangs! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Angel's Lover" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Slayer Be Slain ~ Second Mailing Date: 13 Apr 1998 03:09:49 PDT Okay.. the following is a repost of Slayer be Slain.. reworked and rewrit= ten from the time of it's original posts. As a warning, there is a direc= t line taken from "Angel" in the third part, I realize this, and I meant = this as a refference to Darla to explain Buffy's state of mind at the tim= e. The characters of Buffy, Angel, Giles, Willow, Xander, Oz, Cordy, Spi= ke, Dru, and Ms. C (obviously this was written before Passion was aired) = are not mine, they are the creations of the God of all Buffdom, Joss Whed= on, Mutant Enemy Productions and Warner Bros. Spoilers are from anything= before up to and including Innocence, tho the only direct spoilers are = from Surprise and Innocence. I am not making any money from this, and no = copyright infringement was intended. Please direct all comments to Lea = at either lfox@continuum.org or angelslover@geocities.com . Thanks for = reading!!!! _______________________________________ Slayer Be Slain ~ Second Mailing ****************** Undeath was different from what her life had been. Buffy rejoiced in the freedom vampirism brought to her. Her days were spent relaxing in the arms of Angel, her nights were spent drinking freely from those unfortunate enough to cross her path. Together she and Angel lay under the warm blankets of their antique bed. Deep red draperies surrounded them, adding a tinge of mystique to their room in addition to the more contemporary articles, such as the changing screen that Angel had brought with him from his old loft. On Drusilla's order they were given their own wing of the massive warehouse that the vampires occupied. Spike was only too pleased to comply with this request. With Angel completely involved with Buffy, he would no longer pose a threat to Spike's relationship with Drusilla. It was nearing time for them to rise; the sun was slowly sinking in the sky, yet still they lay in comfort. Angel raised a goblet of thick, red blood to Buffy's lips. "Drink, my love," he murmured softly. Slowly her tongue inched out of her mouth, dipping delicately into the still warm liquid. For a moment she savoured the flavour before smiling. "Fresh," she whispered, "Young." He nodded, "A child, bled especially for us." She took a long, leisurely sip of the precious blood, allowing the liquid to fill her mouth and coat her throat as she swallowed gently. She swallowed once again before handing Angel back the goblet. Her eyes urged him, too, to drink his fill. A small trickle of the blood dribbled slowly down Buffy's chin, and Angel smiled. His hand slid carefully into her hair as he drew her towards him. His tongue edged out to softly lick from her skin the blood she had spilt. His mouth moved slowly to her neck, his tongue moving in lazy circles over her tender flesh. Gently he nibbled on her throat, sending slightly painful but not unwelcome sensations throughout her body. At long last he straightened once more, leaning back upon the pillows, bringing the goblet to his own lips. He drank deeply of the blood within, smiling softly as Buffy turned to watch. "Would you like more?" he queried, willing to share only with her. She shook her head, "I can wait for tonight's hunt. You drink, love," she smiled wickedly, "A child's blood strengthens you greatly." His laugh was honest, for though what she was saying was true, her hidden meaning came as a welcome promise for later that night. For now, he swallowed the last of his drink and licked his lips. "Where do you want to hunt tonight, Buffy? Any place.. special?" His eyes glinted in humour; he knew that her heart was just as black as his own. Her pleasure in the hunt had at first taken him by surprise, but now it only strengthened the bond that they shared. She nodded as she climbed astride him, her hands resting on his powerful shoulders. Slowly she raised one hand to trace the contours of his face; the cold silver metal of the claddagh ring he had given her sending shivers down his spine. Excitement shone behind her eyes as she at last spoke, "I want to visit her, Angel. Please, can I?" He smiled softly, "To feed?" She shook her head. "To play!" He nodded his assent, and she wrapped her arms around him, kissing him with inhuman strength and demonic passion. Tonight would be more fun than he had had in a hundred years. Tonight Buffy would truly come into her element of evil, and then no force beyond death would ever be able to pry them apart. He gathered her into his arms and lifted her out of the bed, gently placing her on her feet after bestowing a final loving kiss upon her forehead. "Then it's settled. Once we dress, we'll go above and pay Willow a short visit before our hunt." Buffy giggled in anticipation, her joy shining through her eyes in a way which he had never seen. ********************** They stood outside Willow's bedroom, waiting for the girl to return to her computer. Angel slipped behind the tree line, allowing Buffy her fun. With a delicious grin she tapped lightly upon the glass pane separating her from her old friend. "Will!" she called, quietly, "Hey, Willow! Let me in!" The red headed teenager turned quickly, and her jaw dropped at the sight of her best friend outside. "Buffy!" She hurried over and opened the door. "Where have you been? Giles went into maxi wig when you disappeared, and your mother...." she shook her head, "Where were you?" Buffy remained outside, unable to cross the threshold. She shrugged, "I needed to book for a while. After the whole thing with Ange.. well, I just couldn't hang in this wiggy hellmouth any more." Willow nodded, "That's what I told Giles, but he's been so freaked since you bolted. He thought Angel got you or something. You really should have called." Buffy smiled, "Angel and I have.... worked things out." "What?? How?" "Let's just say I can see his side." Willow frowned, "Buffy, why aren't you coming in?" "Invite me, Will." She blinked, "Why?" "Just invite me in." Willow smiled nervously, "Maybe you should go see your mom." Buffy's tongue slowly ran across her teeth. "Oh, believe me, I will.. but first invite me in for a sec, Will. We haven't seen each other in a while, you gotta... dish me in on what's been going down." When the other girl didn't answer, Buffy frowned. "Come on! Invite me inside!" "Oh." Willow quickly stepped backwards, a sharp stab of fear rushing through her. "Oh, no." "Oh, yes." Willow stumbled back towards her telephone, barely taking her eyes off her "friend" as she dialed Giles's number. Buffy turned and called over her shoulder, "She doesn't want to play." Angel appeared behind her. "Patience, love. Would you like me to bring her out for you?" Slowly he stepped across the threshold and back outside again. "Once invited...." She shook her head, "No, I can have my fun from out here." She stood in the open doorway, "Willow... you can't stay inside forever." Swiftly she shifted from human into her vampirical form. She pouted sarcastically, "Don't you want to be my friend?" The teenager was rapidly talking on the phone, barely making sense as she tried to explain to Giles what was happening. Her eyes fixated on Angel as he continued to enter and exit her room at will. "I can't close it, Angel's there!" There was a pause, "But I already did, months ago! He still can!" Another pause. "Okay, I will... NO! They're strong! You won't get from the car to the house! I'll be okay." Finally, she hung up the phone and turned to dig through her belongings. She came up with two crosses and a Star of David, the crosses courtesy of hanging with Buffy for so long. Turning back to her door, Willow picked a vase up off her dresser. As she neared the door, she threw the vase, shattering it against Angel's skull. The vampire flinched, and Willow held out a cross to ward off her enemies. She slammed shut the glass door and taped the religious artifacts to the pane, the door handle, and the floor in front of the opening, pulling the shades closed. Willow lay down upon her bed, clutching a large stuffed bear close as she listened to her "friends" prowl around outside, calling her name, and tapping on the window. Hours passed when finally blessed silence filled her room. At long last Willow turned on her damp pillow and fell asleep. ************************ Angel's Lover (fondly known as Lea) "Love makes you do the wacky!" "When you kiss me I want to die." "I'm SO the net girl!" Defender of David Boreanaz... you know, the man with the fangs! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: G90210 Subject: BUFFYFIC: BBETA: Life's A Bitch (2/?) Date: 13 Apr 1998 12:04:10 EDT AUTHOR'S NOTE: This was just a thought I had one day. Because Buffy has to deal with stuff, most people don't think exist(right they don't, come on now for my own mentalness, they don't!) What about when she has to face real stuff, like real diseases, like AIDS. I don't know why I thought of this, but oh well I did. TITLE: Life's A Bitch AUTHOR: mInDy (G90210@aol.com or LoveAVamp@aol.com) SUMMARY: I don't know how to write one to this, so read.......it's about Buffy and Angel for those of you who it matters too. SPOILERS: None at the moment. TIME LINE: After S/I IMPORTANT: Angel IS good in my story, he does has soul, and the curse can't be broken this time. DISCLAIMER: I own nothing!! WARNING: Major character dies. Look at the title and the language will be explained. Life's A Bitch by: mInDy *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* When Buffy woke up, Angel was gone. In the spot where he was just a few hours ago, was a streak of sunlight and a note. Buffy smiled to herself. *Thank God he's ok, I don't know if I could handle losing him again.* Buffy read the note and got up to get in the shower. After she got out of the shower, and got dressed, she decided to walk to Angel's, she just had to see him, and sense it was summer, there was no school. For some odd reason, Buffy felt weaker than normal. *I didn't feel like this last time, maybe it's because it lasted longer, I'll have to talk to Giles, just leave out the sex part.* The thought of talking to Giles about sex, gave her chills. *Anybody that old shoudn't have sex. Wait a minute............except for speacil cases like Angel, or when she gets that old. If she got that old.* Buffy always hated it when that thought came in her head. She wasn't gonna be able to grow old, and have kids, and die an old lady in her warm bed. She wasn't that lucky, nooooo she had to have a birth right. But if it wasn't for that birth right, there would be no Angel. Angel, a good thought. In her words "The one freaky thing in my one freaky world, that still makes sense to me." She loved him more than she thought possible. A slayer and a vampire, now throw that one at Shakespear. Two families who didn't want their kids to be together, how about being born enemies by nature, and having no other choice, no way to make ammends. *Oh well, at least we've had a little, which is better than none.* As Buffy thought, she eventually made it to Angel's apartment. She knocked on the door slowly. She still couldn't believe what happened did. Angel opened the door and saw her standing there, and smiled. "Hey," Buffy said first, a little nervous but not by much. "Hey," Angel said back. Before either could get in anymore words, Angel's phone rang. He went to go answer it, Buffy followed "Hello," Angel spoke into the phone. "Hi, Angel, this is Giles. I called Buffy's house and she wasn't there, I'm guessing she's with you?" Giles spoke. "Yeah she's hear, why?" "Well, cause I found a really odd saying in one of my books." "Yeah what is it?" "Well, it......uh.....says, that for if the slayer is by in anyway, not a virgin, under the next full moon, she will, ummm.......lose all her strength for the next 7 days and 7 nights. And sense I know, well.....you know, this applies to Buffy, and I thought she should be warned." "Ok, Giles. Thanks, by the way when is the next full moon?" "Tomorrow night, I'm afraid." "Well, ok, I'll tell Buffy then." Angel hung up the phone and looked at Buffy. How was he going to explain this to her? ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* End Part 2 FEEDBACK.....pleaze!!!!!!! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Black Fire" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Inner Demons Help Date: 13 Apr 1998 10:13:14 PDT Ok. I need a little bit of help here. The disk on which I have all my Fan-Fic stuff decided to do something weird with my Inner Demons file and now, I can't access it at all. So, if someone still has it, could anyone send me a copy of the revised version of my story? Thanks, The Black Fire Blackfire42@hotmail.com http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shadowlands/4203 ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: BUFFYFIC: Cordelia's Mind (1/1) Date: 12 Apr 1998 22:54:04 -0700 Title: Cordelia's Mind By: Taygeta E-mail: Taygeta@juno.com Feedback: Do, please, I love feedback. Good or bad, it helps me improve. Disclaimer:The Buffy characters portrayed in this story and any other references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the property of its creater Joss Whedon, and its owners Mutant Enemy productions, Kuzui Productions, Sandollar Productions, and 20th Century Fox. Author's note: Okay, I know it's not the best story in the world. I did this on a quickie, throwing a whole bunch of stuff. So, Cordy comes out a little ditzy, I know she's a smart girl, I just had to use her usual complaints. The last line was added for a funny, and hopefully everyone will remember that line from an episode that I forgot the name of. To make a long story short, this contains spoilers. ********************* Cordelia's Mind By: Taygeta Okay, I'm jealous. I admit it, but what girlfriend wouldn't be? I don't know why I put up with it, and sometimes I wonder if I really, *really* like him at all. Half the time I want to kill him and the other half kiss him. The guy may be a dork, but I have to say he knows how to kiss. I don't see why he has this obsession over the slayer, anyway! The girl's a nutcase and she's totally in love with a vampire. Admittably, Angel is cute, but the blood-sucking bit is a real turn-off. Who does he think he is anyway? Always rambling on about Buffy this, Buffy that. Who does he think he is, Buffy's White Knight? God, the girl can break him in half if she wanted to, what can he do for her? And when I'm in a crisis, what does he do? Call Buffy. My boyfriend is a wimp...but he's so sweet and cute and so nice sometimes. Hmm... Then there's his long-time best friend Willow. If it's not Buffy this, Buffy that, it's her. I don't know if he'll ever face the fact that Willow's dating Oz, who isn't the greatest catch kind of on the short side, but he and Willow are a cute a couple. Everyone thinks that I have a selfish complex, I don't! I *really* don't! I think about other people, all the time! Like yesterday, I helped Xander get the start of a new wardrobe. Do you think I want to have a boyfriend that isn't color-coordinated? Please. And the day before, I was giving Buffy tips to get rid of that thing on her face. You know, that thing? Why is it that I'm the only one that's noticed it? After all it's right there! No one can miss it... God, thought Cordelia's brain, my job sucks. _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: G90210 Subject: BUFFYFIC: BBETA: Life's A Bitch (3/?) Date: 13 Apr 1998 14:05:45 EDT AUTHOR'S NOTE: This was just a thought I had one day. Because Buffy has to deal with stuff, most people don't think exist(right they don't, come on now for my own mentalness, they don't!) What about when she has to face real stuff, like real diseases. I don't know why I thought of this, but oh well I did. TITLE: Life's A Bitch AUTHOR: mInDy (G90210@aol.com or LoveAVamp@aol.com) SUMMARY: I don't know how to write one to this, so read.......it's about Buffy and Angel for those of you who it matters too. SPOILERS: None at the moment. TIME LINE: After S/I IMPORTANT: Angel IS good in my story, he does has soul, and the curse can't be broken this time. DISCLAIMER: I own nothing!! WARNING: Major character dies. Look at the title and the language will be explained. Life's A Bitch by: mInDy *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "So you're saying, that after tomorrow night, for the next 7 days, I'll be just as weak as a normal teenager?" Buffy asked. "Yeah, I guess that's what I'm saying. Which means Buffy, DON'T get yourself in any trouble, if the other vampires know about this, they will certainly be out after you." Angel warned her, concern showing very clearly in his eyes, for her. "Oh yippi. So in other words I'm stuck staying in for the next week, huh?" "No not exactly, if I'm there, it would be ok, but most likely it would be easier if you just stay in side." "No Bronze?" "No Bronze." Angel stated for her. "Man, my social life is already bad enough that I'm dating 242-year-old, but now, I can't even go out at night!" Buffy said and smiled up at Angel,"So what am I gonna due for the next week? My mom's gone, remember?" "Oh yeah, well you could always stay with me. I would feel better if you were here." Angel said to her leaning closer. "I was hoping you would say that, sooooooo let me go home and get some close and stuff, ok?" "Yeah, that's fine with me." Angel said, and leaned down, and gave her a kiss on the lips. "Ok, then I'll be back BEFORE sundown, don't wanna push my luck." Buffy said and walked out the door. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Buffy left her house a little later than planned, but she got to Angel's on time. *This is gonna be one weird week! I mean I'm so use to having my strength, I don't know how, I'm gonna be without it. Oh well, I get to be with Angel for a week, a plus side to this bad note.* The night went on, and Buffy didn't leave Angel's house, she said she wouldn't, why he made a trip to the hospital. While she was gone, Buffy was laying in Angel's bed listening to music on her headphones, when she heard the door open, she figured it was Angel, so she went out into the living room, to see him. When she got out there, there was guy with a mask on. He was about 5'10, Buffy guessed. The guy saw Buffy and went over to her with his gun pointing at her. Buffy started to get really scared, she couldn't fight, she couldn't do anything. She was the normal teenager, she always wanted to be. The events that happened next, were all a blur to Buffy. She remembered trying to fight him off. After she lost that, he pinned her down, and then pinned her body down with his body. He raped her, and the whole time, Buffy was praying Angel would hurry up and come back. The guy left, before Angel ever came back. When Angel came down the stairs to his apartment, the door was wide open. When he walked in, he found Buffy, on the floor, curled up in a ball crying, with her clothes torn off. "Buffy, God, what happened?" Angel screamed out, and ran to her side, dropping the blood in his hands on the floor. "Buffy, what happened?" he asked again. "Some guy .......broke in here....and......he....r-r-r-raped me." That's what broke Angel. He couldn't stop crying. "God Buffy, I'm so sorry I didn't get here sooner." "It's not your fault." Angel picked Buffy up, and put her in his bed, and covered her up. Then he got in bed next to her, and held her, and once she fell asleep, he got up, and cleaned up the mess in his apartment, put the blood in the fridge, and shut the door and locked it. After he did all that, he went back in his room, got ready for bed, and curled up next to Buffy, and went to sleep. *~!~*~!~*~!~*~!~*~!~*~!~* End of Part 3 Feedback......pretty please with sugar on top! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Lost & Found (5/?) Date: 13 Apr 1998 20:46:33 EDT Lost & Found 5 Title: Lost & Found (5/?) Author: Michelle E-mail: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG-13 = violence and graphic descriptions (no sex) Summary: Series after Vengeance - Buffy, Xander, Willow & Giles are all vampires. Drusilla is making Buffy pay for supposedly killing Spike. Previous Stories: If you like this story but don't understand it, it's probally because you haven't read Vengeance. That came before this one and this is a continuation of it. You can find it as well as all my other stories at: http://members.aol.com/aglx/buffywrittings.html Distribution: I'll say yes, but ask. Spoilers: Everything up to Killed By Death (just to be safe) Feedback: Please, good or bad, I need to know. The more feedback, the more writting I do! I won't care if you tell me this story is horrible, I just want to know. This story is something that happens after Killed By Death. Probally a Third season type story. This story has some pretty graphic descriptions and some people may be upset by the story. There is a PG-13 rating on this story however, there is no sex or sexual situations. Just some Buffy like language and violence. This story will go on for a while, or until I come up with a way to end it. The characters, Buffy, Xander, Willow, etc. belong to Joss Whedon, The WB, Sandollar, etc. ************ "You made a big mistake coming here." Spike looked directly into Angel's eyes as he hit him across the face with a direct back hand. Angel stumbled back addressing the pain. "Nice shot." Angel was almost proud. "What'd you think I was going to do, just stand here while you smacked me around?" "As a matter of fact..." "Don't get your hopes up. You came here to fight, and that's exactly what your going to get." Spike kicked Angel directly in the chin and he fell back onto the bed where Buffy was sitting. She looked down at his suspicious face. "Hi there Buffy!" Angel's voice bounded with excitement as he kipped up to face Spike again. Angel punched Spike in the face several times before kicking him in the stomach. The blow sent Spike falling backwards. Spike hit the wall behind him hard, and he collapsed to the ground. "Oh, I bet that hurt." Angel walked over towards Spike and picked him off the ground. Angel punched Spike in the stomach and he buckled over in pain. "Come on Spike, it's no fun if you don't play along!" Angel grabbed Spike's hair and lifted his head till their eyes met. "Dru was right, your weak." Fire rose in Spike's eyes as determination and anger took over. Spike grabbed Angel by the throat and lifted him up into the air. Angel let go of Spike's hair and reached for his throat. Spike's grasp was strong and Angel struggled to break free. "What's the matter, too weak for you?" Spike tightened his grip and Angel kicked Spike in the face forcing him to let go. Spike and Angel both backed away from eachother. "You two are pathetic," Buffy said as she got out of the bed. "Dru's right though, you're weak. You're both weak!" "You're one to talk," Angel said as he approached Buffy from the right. "Yeah, you came here to stop this." Spike continued to nurse his face which was covered in blood. Buffy stood still between the two of them in her long black gown. The look of anger in her eyes deepened. Suddenly, Buffy grabbed Angel by the hair, reached for Spike's as well and slammed their heads together. They broke away from her tight grasp and both let out cries of pain. "Why the hell did you do that?" Angel held his head tight in his hands, trying to force the pain away. "Because I wanted in on the action. Is there a problem with that?" "No!" Spike spun around and kicked Buffy in the face with a roundhouse kick. "Not at all," Spike said as he watched her fall back to the ground. Buffy quickly recovered and stood up to face the both of them. Angel was still a bit disoriented but attempted to kick Buffy anyway. She caught his foot, mid-air and threw him aside. Spike took the opportunity to get in another hit. His foot hit Buffy in the stomach weakly. "Now I know you can do better than that," Buffy said as she encouraged Spike to take another shot. "Yes, I can." Spike gathered all his strength and kicked Buffy in the jaw with a switch-kick. She flew backwards and landed on her back like a ton of bricks had just been thrown at her. Buffy could feel the teeth coming loose in her mouth. After a few seconds Buffy jumped up with her demonic face on. "Look who wants to play!" Spike transformed his face as well and ran towards Buffy. Buffy hit him hard in the face with a left hook and he moved off to the side. Angel approached her from behind, now feeling much stronger. He caught her off guard with a flying kick to the back of the head. Buffy fell to her hands and knees in immense pain. She refused to let it show and got back up. When she turned around to face Angel, she found that he had disappeared. Spike jumped on Buffy's back and grabbed her head. "If your not going to help me, you might as well die." Before Spike could kill her, Buffy reached up and pulled him over her shoulder. He landed on his back with a thud. "I told you, I *can't* help you." Buffy walked to Spike's side and looked down at his weak body. "But if you want me dead, it's going to take a lot more than you got." Buffy kicked Spike in the side and he rolled over trying to escape her next move. "Now where did Angel go?" Buffy stepped away from a badly wounded Spike and searched around the empty room for any signs. Nothing. He was gone without a trace. "Oh well, more for Spike." Buffy walked back over to where Spike had been to find that he had escaped as well. "I don't have time for games you two." Buffy turned quickly in circles around the room examining every inch. They were gone. The more feedback, the more stories. -Michelle - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" Interlude # 2: Date: 13 Apr 1998 20:41:34 -0400 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Buffy, Giles, Cordelia, Spike, Drusilla, Willow, Angel & co. are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: I’ve decided to help explain the past through a series of interludes that will be interspersed throughout the story as it goes on. These flashbacks take place about 9 years before "Reunion," give or take a few months. Needless to say, if you haven’t read "Reunion," this won’t make much sense to you. If you don’t have it, you can write to me and request parts. My address is Ingrid29 @juno.com. Oh! BTW, I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! "Reunion" Interlude # 2: "Act of Mercy" by Ingrid Angel felt again. It wasn’t something dramatic, or painful. The demon endured that. For him, it was simply waking up, as if he’d been asleep for the past year. Only it was waking up to a nightmare instead of from one. A real nightmare that would never in a hundred years fade from memory. The memories of Jenny and Willow shot through his heart like a barbed arrow he couldn’t wrench out. Like something that festered. He screamed as if he were in physical pain. He didn’t have time to scream or mourn for long. A fist struck him in the jaw hard. His eyes snapped open instantly. Xander was there, blood dripping from his face. The light was gone from his eyes. Now they were merely dim spheres of dumb rage. "YOU KILLED HER," he screamed at the vampire, "YOU KILLED HER! YOU KILLED HER! YOU KILLED HER AND YOU’RE GOING TO FINISH HER OFF, BASTARD!" Angel’s head spun. The boy’s diatribe wasn’t making sense. How could she be aliv- Buffy. Buffy had hit him out of the way before… He heard sobbing. Oh God. She was still alive. Without warning, Xander yanked him from the grass and shoved him at the crumpled figure on the lawn. Vaguely he noticed Buffy unconscious near the wall, and Giles body limply wrapped around the tree. Willow *was* alive. She was writhing now, and clutching her throat, the blood spilling through her fingers. Her hair was spread about her in all directions, tangled, matted and dark. Her eyes were wild and uncomprehending. Her occasional sob was faint and pathetic. "DO IT," Xander shouted, violently throwing him at the girl. He fell on top of her and she gasped as his weight knocked the wind out of her. He couldn’t do this. Everything in him railed against it. It made him sick to be this close. Yet the demon stirred. Xander was roaring and Willow was crying, and he couldn’t think anymore. One last push and he was at her throat again, finishing what the demon had started. He felt the arms go around his shoulders and her body press against his. She was so little! How could he be doing this? She rested her head in the curve of his neck and she relaxed, taking comfort from her killer. This was making him sick. A burning in his gut made him feel like he was going to throw up. When her arms went limp, he released him self and moved aside, not wanting to defile her any further. His stomach ruptured, and he screamed again with the flames lapping at his insides. This hadn’t happened the last time he got his soul back. Maybe he was dying. Maybe they’d let him die. The blood curdled in his mouth, but he refused to spit her life out. Blackness swallowed him. ********* END, INTERLUDE # 2 "Listen, you: You think you’re so cool with your conformed, standard-issue smiley face that all the AOL trendoids are using, but you’re not. I refuse to covert. I like my smiley face, and I think noses are ugly, for your information!"—C.B. Ingrid: Author of many long Buffyfics (and some short ones). "Return to Normalcy," "One Vampire's Headache...," "This Fleeting Hope," "Ghost of a Chance," "Tragic Sighs" and "Footsteps." _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (12/?) by Ingrid Date: 13 Apr 1998 20:39:04 -0400 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Angel, Buffy, Cordelia, Willow, Xander, Jenny, Giles & company are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: You know the story. If you don’t get this, that’s because you haven’t read the other parts. If you want to get this, ask me for them! ********* "Reunion," by Ingrid Part Twelve: "Xander" ********* The first thing that struck her as he emerged from the foyer was how different he looked. How much older. He was dressed in a handsome suit, a well-dressed reflection of his former self. "Hi," he greeted them gently. There was a tired edge to his voice. She’d heard it in Cordelia’s voice too. In a few seconds, he’d caught sight of Willow. "Hi, Xander," Buffy returned, and Angel only smiled as Xander made his way over to the baby and looked into her deep brown eyes. A secret longing seemed to manifest itself for an instant as he let the baby pull at his finger, and almost simultaneously disappeared. His eyes flashed and he looked up at Angel. They shook hands, and made eye contact. Angel could see the last night they’d spoken in glimmering painfully in his expression. That night… God That Night. Buffy wasn’t surprised when Xander swept her up into a big hug. This was the Xander she knew. The tiredness had scared her more than she’d have liked to admit. "Hi, Buffy." He *was* glad to see her. She breathed a long sigh of relief. "How’ve you been?" "Can’t complain," he answered with a pleasant grin as he pulled away from her. He looked at Cordelia anxiously and then back at Buffy and Angel. "Well, you’d better get down to work, I guess. We can talk at dinner. Do you have your suitcases in the car?" Buffy handed him the key. "Don’t strain yourself." She laughed. Just like old times. Sort of. "We set up one of the guest rooms for you," Cordelia explained. "You didn’t have to go through all that-" "No trouble," she assured her. Xander plodded out into the foyer, and they heard a door open. Instantly, Cordelia was all business. "Okay. Buffy, Corin and I have the prophecy almost completely translated. I’m sure Giles can take care of the rest when he gets here, but that could be a little while. He called me about 10 minutes before you got here. His plane was delayed." She turned to where Angel was sitting and addressed him. "Maybe you could take a look at it now?" "Sure," he shrugged, glad to be able to help. She went into the kitchen and returned staggering with a gigantic book. With an exhausting heave, she swung the book onto the table in front of Angel. The sound echoed through the high-ceilinged room. Xander, who had been making trips in and outside for the past couple of minutes emerged from the foyer and brushed his hands together. "All done." He noticed the book on the table. He directed his comment to Cordelia. "Hey. I told you not to move that book without me. Now your back’s gonna be sore tomorrow." "Don’t worry about it," she smiled. It melted into a look of concern when she saw Angel trying to adjust the baby in his arms so he could better read the prophecy. It began to fuss, threatening tears. Cordelia was about to say something, but Xander intervened first. "Here," he offered, holding his arms out in front of Angel. Angel flashed a concerned look at Buffy, and at her nod handed the child over to the other man. As soon as Willow settled in his arms, she was completely silent. Buffy raised her eyebrows, "Sure you haven’t had previous experience with kids, Xander?" He spoke to her though he watched the baby intently. "Nope," he smiled, as it giggled in response to his tickling it, "not at all." The corners of Cordelia’s mouth turned up slightly as she watched her husband with Buffy and Angel’s daughter A faint desire stirred within her for just a moment until she forced her mind back on work and regarded Buffy. "Now this is what we’ve figured out so far…" *** END, PART TWELVE "Lay beside me. Tell me what they’ve done. Speak the words I want to hear to make my demons run." --Metallica, "Unforgiven Too" (No, I’m not a metalhead. I was listening to my brother’s CD, actually, and I thought "Hmm… Angel and Buffy?" Why Not? It works for me! _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Dalton Spence Subject: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: My Buffy Xovers Date: 13 Apr 1998 22:34:35 -0400 (EDT) Recently, I've gotten a lot of e-mail regarding my unfinished Buffy crossover fanfics, ranging from the polite to the downright hostile. First of all, I want to apologize for not replying before now; real life (tm) has been very unpredictable of late, leaving me with very little free time to write ANYTHING, be it fanfic or answers. In addition, since all of my stories are set before or very early into this season, recent events in the Buffyverse (particularly S/I and its aftermath) have left me with a severe case of writer's block, as I try to rewind my mind and remember what was and wasn't known or expected way-back-when. (There has been quite a lot of character development this season, and UNdeveloping them is not easy for me.) I wish I could say things will get better, but unfortunately they won't, at least not for the foreseeable future. Starting this weekend, I'll be taking several continuing education courses that will probably absorb all of my free time until further notice. Since I don't want leave everybody hanging for ANOTHER four months, I've decided to offer up what I have written so far as the base for a moderated round-robin challenge. By "moderated" I mean that I want to edit the chapters into a common format (straight ASCII, no smart- quotes, block paragraphs, new para for each speaker, spell-checking, etc.), send the edited version back to the author for revisions and/or approval, and forward the version approved by the submitting author to Buffy-Beta and Buffyfic mailing lists(1) and the Usenet newsgroup alt.tv.buffy-v-slayer.creative(2). I should be able to manage this, since editing takes a LOT less time than writing. I would like to have at least four people lined up for each story before we get started, and each author would have two weeks to write their piece after the preceding part is posted. Once I get the commitments I need for each story, I'll repost the original parts before the new ones. In case you've forgotten (it's been a long time after all) the stories are: "The Secret World of Willow Rosenberg" Buffy/Alex Mack xover (Prologue and 5 parts) (1) also to be posted on the WILLFIC list "REFLECTIONS: Warrior ... Innocent ... Fool" Buffy/Xena xover (Prologue and 4 parts) "MEN IN BLACK: The Hellmouth Incident" Buffy/MiB Movie xover (Prologue and 4 parts) (2) Also, in an attempt to break my writers block on these stories, I recently started a NEW Buffy xover (yes, I suppose I AM crazy) with the Showtime TV series "STARGATE: SG-1" which I only posted on the alt.tv.stargate-sg1 newsgroup and the sgfic mailing list so I wouldn't get your hopes up. Only three parts so far, and like the others I have no time to continue it. I call it "Hellgate: SG-1". I'll post what I've got to the Buffy lists and newsgroup, and if you like it we can round-robin it too. If anyone is interested in participating, please e-mail me at with "RR: (story title)" for the subject. -- @==================================================@ | Dalton S. Spence, B.Sc. | | Home Page: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/home.html | | Keeper of Cordelia's Roll of Linoleum | | and Xander's Key to the Utility Closet | | Family Motto: Virtute Acquiritur Honos | @==================================================@ - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Angel's Lover" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Slayer be Slain ~ Third Mailing Date: 13 Apr 1998 22:41:47 PDT Okay.. the following is a repost of Slayer be Slain.. reworked and rewrit= ten from the time of it's original posts. As a warning, there is a direc= t line taken from "Angel" in the third part, I realize this, and I meant = this as a refference to Darla to explain Buffy's state of mind at the tim= e. The characters of Buffy, Angel, Giles, Willow, Xander, Oz, Cordy, Spi= ke, Dru, and Ms. C (obviously this was written before Passion was aired) = are not mine, they are the creations of the God of all Buffdom, Joss Whed= on, Mutant Enemy Productions and Warner Bros. Spoilers are from anything= before up to and including Innocence, tho the only direct spoilers are = from Surprise and Innocence. I am not making any money from this, and no = copyright infringement was intended. Please direct all comments to Lea = at either lfox@continuum.org or angelslover@geocities.com . Thanks for = reading!!!! _______________________________________ Slayer be Slain ~ Third Mailing Buffy leaped onto the bed, crawling in a circle before settling into a comfortable place on the mattress. Stretching out with ease, she savoured the feel of the cool sheets against her skin, still warm from her exertions of the night. She purred softly with content as Angel lay beside her, slowly stroking her back, her soft skin covered only by light silk. "Did you have fun tonight, love?" he queried softly, his fingers playing lightly over the strap of her slip. "Mmmm," she murmured, arching gracefully into his gentle caress. "Can we play again tomorrow night? With the watcher and the gypsy?" Angel sighed lightly as he lathered her shoulders with tiny biting kisses. "Playing with a child is one thing, Buffy.. but the watcher?" Slowly she turned over, allowing the weight of his hand to settle upon her stomach before she arched up. Her teeth bit into the soft skin of his cheek, her tongue easing the abrasion as she kissed him lightly. = "Don't you want the watcher's heart, Angel? How many years has it been since you last sank your teeth into such a tender treat?" Again she bit him gently. He weakened as she drew the tip of her tongue languidly over his throat and softly nibbled on his adam's apple. "Too many years to count." His voice was a low rumble. Her tone turned bitter, "And how much would you like to drain the blood from the gypsy bitch?" He grumbled low in his throat, "Her blood would go far in soothing me." Her lips gently brushed across his, pulling back so that only her breath touched his skin, burning him slightly as she left him longing for the slight contact. Softly, she whispered, "Tomorrow's hunt would please me." Her fingers trailed teasingly down his chest, "Greatly." A smile slowly spread across his features, as once again promised pleasure warmed his cold body. Gently, he stroked the side of her face, a low growl building in his chest. "Tell me, how do I deny you, love?" Her tongue slid out to wet her lips as she smiled and replied simply, "You don't." Angel sank his fingers deep into her hair, drawing her hard against him for a searing kiss. Finally he sighed in resignation. "I can't. You win, Buffy. When we awaken, we go to the library and feast." ****************************** The day was not wasted. While the vampires slept, Giles, Willow, Xander, Cordelia, Oz, and even Ms. Calendar prepared for the immanent arrival of their one time friends. Phone calls were made, pleas were issued, reservations held, stakes were whittled, crosses were prepared, and water blessed while the humans waited tensely for the night to fall. Giles had worked all night and day on a plan, a plan Ms. Calendar was only too happy to help him put into motion. Ms. Calendar argued with her grandmother for a long time; in the end it was the death of Jenny's uncle that convinced the older lady to voyage to America. The flight from Romania would be a long one for the elders, but by the time the vampires arrived, everything would be in place. Tonight, with help, Giles would defeat his prodigy. **************************** They awoke early, Buffy's excitement too much to contain. They passed the several remaining hours of daylight in their room, preparing themselves for the night to come. Buffy nervously paced the room, her eyes tracking the path of the receding sunlight high on the walls. Finally, Buffy came to rest upon the black leather sofa that sat in the center of their room. Angel came to sit beside her, his expression concerned as she remained tense. Moving slightly, he pulled her down gently so that her head rested in his lap. Slowly, he began to caress her back, easing the knots and tension from her body in soft, sensual strokes. "What's wrong?" he asked as she finally began to relax beneath his hands. She shrugged, "Wigged, I guess." He nodded, smiling down at her reassuringly, "They have no slayer, love, and you know as well as I their strengths and weaknesses. Besides, they are mere mortals. Only you ever kept them alive this long." She giggled, "My bad." His fingers trailed slowly from her back to her side, his strokes becoming softer as she shivered lightly. A knock came at their door. As they were speaking, dark had fallen and the others were leaving for the hunt. Buffy and Angel looked at each other and smiled; it was time for them to go on a hunt of their own. Both vampires quickly finished the remaining blood before rising to their feet. Angel delicately wrapped Buffy's coat around her shoulders, slowly lacing her boots for her. Finally, all was prepared, and they moved from the safety of their home out into the mortal world. ************************ Angel's Lover (fondly known as Lea) "Love makes you do the wacky!" "When you kiss me I want to die." "I'm SO the net girl!" Defender of David Boreanaz... you know, the man with the fangs! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Angel's Lover" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Slayer be Slain ~ Fourth Mailing Date: 14 Apr 1998 03:11:57 PDT Okay.. the following is a repost of Slayer be Slain.. reworked and rewrit= ten from the time of it's original posts. As a warning, there is a direc= t line taken from "Angel" in the third part, I realize this, and I meant = this as a refference to Darla to explain Buffy's state of mind at the tim= e. The characters of Buffy, Angel, Giles, Willow, Xander, Oz, Cordy, Spi= ke, Dru, and Ms. C (obviously this was written before Passion was aired) = are not mine, they are the creations of the God of all Buffdom, Joss Whed= on, Mutant Enemy Productions and Warner Bros. Spoilers are from anything= before up to and including Innocence, tho the only direct spoilers are = from Surprise and Innocence. I am not making any money from this, and no = copyright infringement was intended. Please direct all comments to Lea = at either lfox@continuum.org or angelslover@geocities.com . Thanks for = reading!!!! I apoligize in advance if this comes through several times..= I'm having a looping problem with my comp's mail system... _______________________________________ Slayer be Slain ~ Fourth Mailing The lights in the library burned brightly as the vampires slowly prowled through the underbrush below the windows. Silently, they peeked inside, raising their eyebrows as it seemed all their friends were gathered, waiting for them. Angel lay his hand upon Buffy's back as he directed her towards the school doors. "We dine well tonight, love," he whispered, softly. "Only the watcher interests me. The others are just a bonus." "And the gypsy?" "Yours to do with as you please. Afterwards, we share in the heart of the watcher." He smiled coldly, holding the door open for her. Together they shifted into their vampirical forms, never hesitating as they turned towards the library. They stepped through the swinging doors of the library to find the tables and chairs that had only minutes before held their friends, now vacated. Both vampires frowned. The lights suddenly were extinguished, the doors slamming shut behind them, bolted from the outside by Willow, who, with her friends, stood peering in through the window. A soft word was spoken, and long candles ignited in every corner, on every table, and on either side of the door. The pale, flickering light illuminated the silver crosses now sealing the windows and doors against the vampires' escape. Buffy and Angel found themselves surrounded not by their friends, but by thirteen ancient, withered strangers. Each of the strangers held before them a crucifix, a stake, and a vile of holy water which hung by chains around their necks. They were standing behind ancient scrolls supported before them by black metal stands Giles had obviously borrowed from the music room. Looking around in sudden concern, both vampires caught sight of Giles and Ms. Calendar illuminated by candle light on the second story of the building. Buffy bit the bottom of her lip as she noticed that she and Angel were standing amidst a pentagram. The edges were built with wood sealed to the library ground, the center drawn with chalk into the marble flooring. Snarling she quickly cleared the pentagram siding, pulling the nearest person into her grasp. She bared her fangs, preparing to sink them into the neck of her victim, barely registering the movement of the gypsy's hand. A biting pain tore through her shoulder as the man drove the crucifix he wore into her flesh. She stepped back in shock, flinging the elder out of her grasp, sending him reeling into a marble stand. The other elders approached her quickly, driving her to her knees with the power of their crucifixes. She glared up at a gypsy standing before her, numbing her mind to the pain of the crucifix still embedded in her shoulder. Buffy darted her arms out quickly, and pulled the woman to the floor. Something sharp penetrated the vampire's back, causing her to let the gypsy free as she felt the wound for a description. A wooden stake protruded from her flesh, and with a frown she rose her eyes to see Giles holding a crossbow. Her frown deepened as she thought for a moment, then a smile crossed her face as she suddenly as she pulled the stake from her = body. Darla's words came easily to Buffy's lips. "Close, Giles, but no heart." The watcher moved towards the stairs, trying to gain a better vantage point from which he hoped to immobilize the girl. With a sharp flick of her wrist, Buffy sent the stake reeling through the air to enter Giles' leg. He dropped to the ground with a groan. "Bad dog," she scowled, "Stay!" A glance assured her that Giles was not going anywhere too quickly, so she returned to her stalking of the gypsies. With trembling hands the elders began shaking the viles of holy water in her direction. Buffy cried out as her flesh burned from droplets sprayed upon her, turning in a circle as she tried to brush off the offending liquid, = retreating slowly back into the pentagram. Angel quickly pulled the crucifix from her shoulder, burning his hand, but hardly noticing as he made sure Buffy's wound began to heal. The gypsy from whom Buffy had tried to feed climbed groggily to his feet, reaching for a vase that rested atop the stand he had hit. With a quick flash of his arm, he sent the vase crashing to the floor, spilling it's liquid contents to the ground outside the pentagram. The twelve other elders reached for additional vases placed around the library, and one by one they, too, covered the ground in the clear liquid from within. Angel stepped forward, angrily crossing the boundaries of the pentagram, stopping suddenly as his foot came in contact with the liquid from the vases. His flesh began smoke, and a searing pain rose up through his leg. He hissed, stepping back quickly, at last realizing what the gypsies had done. The liquid was nothing more than water to a mortal, but to a vampire it was worse than even acid. The water had recently been sanctified by a priest, making it impossible for the vampires to step outside of the pentagram. Angel snarled. "You think you can keep us here, Watcher? Even holy water will not keep us from ripping your heart from your chest. All you've done is slow us down. We will destroy you, and now the gypsies, as well." His eyes tracked to Ms. Calendar, "All the gypsies." Giles shook his head, grimacing in pain, "No, Angelus. You will not drink from these people. I do believe you are already familiar with the spiritual abilities of the Caulderosh tribe." Buffy rose to stand beside Angel and laughed. "I'll call your bluff, Giles. Those spells have been lost for almost a century; gypsy- Jenny there told us so herself." Ms. Calendar shook her head. "No. The possibility of the curse my people placed on Angel breaking was too great. One elder in each generation has been given the power to once again cast that ancient spell. The need to protect each of these elders was far too great to risk anyone but the chosen one to know of its continuing existence." She paused, her eyes softening. "I didn't know until I called home, Buffy. I swear, if I had I would have helped when the curse first broke." Buffy scowled, "Too little, too late, Jenny." She grinned, "You're gonna regret taking us on for the rest of your life. All ten minutes of it!" She turned to Angel, "Let's do her last, so she can see what came of her treachery." Ms. Calendar's face grew sad. "One day I hope you both will forgive me for all of this. You were once my friends, I hope you will be again." Her hand rested on Giles' shoulder, "For now, we're enemies. = My people will not abandon one of their daughters; you can't win." Continued in Fifth Mailing..... Angel's Lover (fondly known as Lea) "Love makes you do the wacky!" "When you kiss me I want to die." "I'm SO the net girl!" Defender of David Boreanaz... you know, the man with the fangs! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Angel's Lover" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Slayer be Slain ~ Fifth Mailing ~ Conclusion Date: 14 Apr 1998 03:13:34 PDT Okay.. the following is a repost of Slayer be Slain.. reworked and rewrit= ten from the time of it's original posts. As a warning, there is a direc= t line taken from "Angel" in the third part, I realize this, and I meant = this as a refference to Darla to explain Buffy's state of mind at the tim= e. The characters of Buffy, Angel, Giles, Willow, Xander, Oz, Cordy, Spi= ke, Dru, and Ms. C (obviously this was written before Passion was aired) = are not mine, they are the creations of the God of all Buffdom, Joss Whed= on, Mutant Enemy Productions and Warner Bros. Spoilers are from anything= before up to and including Innocence, tho the only direct spoilers are = from Surprise and Innocence. I am not making any money from this, and no = copyright infringement was intended. Please direct all comments to Lea = at either lfox@continuum.org or angelslover@geocities.com . Thanks for = reading!!!! I apoligize in advance if this comes through several times..= I'm having a looping problem with my comp's mail system... __________________________ Slayer Be Slain ~ Fifth Mailing ~ Conclusion The gypsies began chanting the words from the scrolls in low voices, and a slow pain spread throughout the bodies of both vampires. The ancient words the strangers were speaking were in an entirely different language and made no sense in the vampires minds, but affected them in ways Buffy and Angel hardly understood. Buffy looked at Angel uncertainly as she suddenly doubled over in agony. She cried out as she dropped to the floor. Buffy's right hand blindly stretched out for Angel's comfort. Angel growled fiercely, fighting his own pain to take her hand and gather her into his arms. He glared at Giles as he held Buffy, helpless, yet again, to stop the workings of the curse. "I won't forget this, Watcher!" Without warning, both Buffy and Angel were forced into their human forms, and as the gypsies' voices strengthened, they both slowly lost consciousness. Giles sighed sadly, "I'm counting on that, my friends." Hours later, when the candles had burned low in their holders, and neither vampire had moved from their unconscious states, the gypsies voices finally came to a rest. The oldest gypsy, an ancient woman with a deeply tanned, wrinkled, withered face, and long white hair flowing down past the folds in her colourful skirts turned to face Ms. Calendar, who was supporting the wounded Giles as they decended the stairs. "It is done, Janna. Their souls are restored." Ms. Calendar nodded, "Thank you, grandmother." Slowly, the tired elders gathered together their scrolls and filed out of the library, at last allowing back inside Xander, Willow, Cordelia and Oz. All four looked to the still silent forms of their friends uncertainly, and then back to Giles. The watcher nodded, "Right, then. Oz, if you would be so kind as to bring around the van, I propose we return Buffy and Angel to Angel's loft before the rise of the sun." Willow swallowed, the remnants of fear still playing over her features. "Will they.. I mean, are they...?" Giles sighed, "When they awaken they will be as we knew them before the curse broke." His eyes settled on the slayer and his expression darkened. "For the most part." As they moved to gather their friends, they found it difficult to separate their bodies. The fingers of Angel's and Buffy's right hands were intertwined so tightly that nothing the watcher or the kids could do would pull them apart. Giving up finally, they carried the vampires to the van together and gently their unconscious forms were lain out side by side on the floor. Oz drove quickly down the road, over the familiar streets to Angel's old loft. Though the trip was short, the sun was rapidly rising; the need to get Buffy and Angel back into the dark was great. Though their souls were restored, they were still vampires and the light of the sun was deadly. The loft was bare as they carried the still unconscious vampires inside. Angel had moved everything he owned to the warehouse. Buffy and Angel would have to rebuild everything, however material things, easy to replace, would be the least of their worries. The humans left them alone in that loft, laying in each others arms, their fingers still entwined. Giles hit the switch on the wall as he closed the door on his way outside, allowing Jenny to lead him back to the van. The artificial light of the apartment blinked out, it's last rays illuminating the claddagh rings the vampires still wore. In the darkness, both hearts were turned towards the wearer. THE END! Angel's Lover (fondly known as Lea) "Love makes you do the wacky!" "When you kiss me I want to die." "I'm SO the net girl!" Defender of David Boreanaz... you know, the man with the fangs! - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Kirstin" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Fallen (2/?) Date: 14 Apr 1998 04:05:07 -0400 title: Fallen (2/?) author: Kirstin e-mail: kmo@acpub.duke.edu rating: strictly G or PG here. nothing anybody can't read. disclaimer: these characters are joss's, the wb's, mutant enemy's, anyone else who has a valid claim that i don't know about's property. they aren't mine. neither is the stuff from Gone . . ., Anya's story, which this is a sequel to. the ideas here, however, are mine. please don't steal them distribution: ask and ye shall receive. feedback: pretty please with a cherry on top. i can't decide if this is the end or not . . . ************************ Sometimes, it's hard to know how you would react to something until it happens. I mean, sure, everyone has said to themselves, "What would I do if so-and-so were to die? That would just kill me!" But none of those people really know how it feels. They don't understand what it means to lose your best friend. The person you grew up with. The one who was there for you when everybody else had something better to do. The person who was friend, and family, and sole confidante - when no one else wanted to be. None of those people knew what it was like to have a Willow, or to lose one. And to think that she wanted more. All those years, and he knew nothing about it. So she was in love with him! She was everything in his world, and she wanted to be the only thing she wasn't. He was glad that she hadn't told him. Perhaps he would have been better off never finding out. But at least this way, he didn't have to cause her any pain. The person who given everything for him, how could he tell her that he didn't share her feelings? He never could have, to her face. Not to his Willow. But he couldn't have been untrue to her either. So what could I have done, Xander thought ruefully. Run away? Well, I guess I don't have to. She did that for me. And now I have nothing. When she left, she took away everything that mattered to me, everything that was good, and right with the world. Xander and Willow, that is what's right. That's the only think in the world that I could count on. Just Xander doesn't have the same ring to it. Lonely Xander. I guess I'll have to get used to it though, because I'm going to be lonely Xander for a while. Unless . . . but no, that probably still hadn't changed. Even if Willow had left, he knew that one constant remained in his life, the fact that Buffy didn't love him. Not the way that he loved her, at least. Maybe Willow and I had everything in common after all, he thought, unrequited love seems to be a characteristic of our friendships. (Oh god, it must have killed her to hear me talking about Buffy all the time. If only I had known, I would have spared her that pain.) But maybe . . . maybe with Angel gone, Buffy could look at him in a different way. Maybe she would see in him something that she hadn't seen before. Maybe she would notice all the wonderful aspects of Xanderness that she hadn't seen in the year that he'd known her. After all, he reasoned, Angel has been in the scene since the beginning of our friendship. No one could have competed with tall, dark, dead boy with his angst and dark clothing. Buffy had to pull the Romeo and Juliet bit, it was practically a law. But Romeo and Juliet died, and Buffy is still alive. And maybe she can move on. Maybe somehow she can see through the pain of her loss to the guy that is still around, the guy that has been in love with her since the moment he laid eyes on her. Maybe she can move on to me. It seems so natural. We're all that we have left. She's all that I have, and all that I want. If she could only see me, really see me, and really understand how perfect we could be together. If she could only fall in love with me, because the Lord knows I've fallen in love with her. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Black Fire" Subject: BUFFYFIC:Till Night Passes By (1/1) Date: 14 Apr 1998 11:21:28 PDT TITLE: Till Night Passes By AUTHOR: Black Fire EMAIL: blackfire42@hotmail.com FEEDBACK: If you wish. DISCLAIMER: The characters portrayed in this story belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sand Dollar, etc... I make no claim to them what-so-ever, nor do I make any claim to the lines from "Jekyll & Hyde." SPOILERS: Up to Killed By Death. SUMMARY: This story takes place several months to at least a year after the events of the last few episodes. Angel has gotten his soul back durring this time. WARNING: I was really, really depressed when I wrote this. Till Night Passes By The room Angel walked into was a solemn one. They had been gathered around the hospital bed for a week now... waiting... They didn't notice him at first. He just stood there in the doorway watching them watch her. It was Willow who finally turned her attention to the door. Her smile was forced and the tears in her eyes were fresh. But, in spite of that, she slowly walked towards the newcomer. The look on her face told him all he needed to know - he was too late. "She woke up... a couple of times," Willow managed to choke up. "The first time, she was dilirious. I think she was reliving what happened. The second time..." she almost couldn't say it, "she wanted to go after Spike for what he did to her. Both time... she called out for you as she slipped back into the coma." A red-tinged tear slid down Angel's cheek. By this time, all eyes were focused on him, and a heavy silence had fallen around the room once more. Giles, this time, broke the silence. "The doctors say she won't make it. She's been slipping away for the last hour or so." He stopped to wipe his eyes. "I think that she was waiting for you." Angel only nodded as he moved towards the bed. He didn't take his eyes off her for a moment, not even to watch the others vacate the room. He just sat down in a chair next to her, took one of her hands in both of his and waited. After a few minutes, she stired. Weakly she opened her eyes and looked at him. "Angel?" she whispered, as if not believing he was really there. "I'm here, Buffy," he answered. "Spike?" "He'll never hurt anyone ever again," he said. His features hardened into a mask of anger. "I made him pay for what he did to you." "It was my fault," she whispered. "No it wasn't." "Yes," she said, "I should have taken him out before I went for Drusilla." "You couldn't have known what he would do." "I should have," was the reply, "If it had been you instead of her, I would have done the same." Buffy closed her eyes and let out a breath. She stayed that way for a while. "Buffy?" Angel asked, getting worried. "I'm still here," she answered, keeping her eyes closed. "I'm sorry I left," Angel apologized. "I know why you did," Buffy replied. "I understood that you had to be along for a while after all that happened. I just didn't think that it would be this long. But I'm glad your here now." "Me too," Angel forced a smile. "Buffy shivered and looked at him. "Hold me," she finally asked, weakly. Angel moved over to the tiny hospital bed and gathered her in his arms. He spent the rest of the night laying in bed with her, just holding her. * * * * * At about 8:00 the next morning, the rest of them filed back into the room. Buffy was laying on the sunlit bed with a peaceful look on her face; the first she had worn all that terrible week. The group began to hope that the worst had passed, that the doctors had been wrong... That was when they noticed the thin layer of ash that covered her. Willow reached over to feel for a pulse, but all she found was a cold hand with something resting in it: it was Angel's Claddagh Ring with a slip of paper rolled up inside it. She slipped the ring off the paper and read what it said: ...I'll keep you near me till night passes by... ...And I'll never desert you. I promise you this till the day that I die. Ok. That's all of it. Please send me any comments, suggestions, flames you may have. The Black Fire Blackfire42@hotmail.com http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Shadowlands/4203 ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: G90210 Subject: BUFFYFIC: BBETA: I Want You *POEM* Date: 14 Apr 1998 19:31:24 EDT TITLE: I Want You AUTHOR: mInDy (G90210@aol.com or LoveAVamp@aol.com) TIMELINE: After S/I DISCLAIMER: I own nothing, but the idea to write this. AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is from Buffy's POV, and directed to Angel. WARNING: It's kinda........mushy to an extent. I Want You by:mInDy I trust you, I believe you, No matter how dangerous this is, I love you, Their's no denying it. I need you, What would I give Just to hold you once again, Just to make love to you again. My heart soared when you were near, My body turned to mush. That's what you did to me, Over and over again. Only time can till me, If we'll ever be that way again. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* FEEDBACK!!!!! I need it, I crave it!!! To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Sarah Douglas Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Cure" (7/14) Date: 14 Apr 1998 19:57:25 DISCLAIMER: I don't own Buffy or any of the other wonderful characters in the Buffyverse. I am using them without the permission of the people who do own them who are not going to sue me because I am not making any money off this. Joss Whedon, WB, Mutant Enemy, Kusui and Sandollar own the Buffy characters. DISTRIBUTION: Just ask. RATING: Probably PG FEEDBACK: I would love to know what you all think of this. Please send me feedback. Pretty please. SUMMARY: Okay, well this takes place while Ms. Calendar is still alive, but Angel is evil, so probably Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. It's another "Angel gets his soul back" story which I wrote to convince myself that Angel could be good again. It's kind of long and I'm sorry about that you all. AUTHOR'S MESSAGE: Okay, I'm back. That's right, you thought you'd gotten rid of me, but you hadn't. Today, the dedication goes out to Tracy, who I think I forgot to thank for sending me the spoilers. Thank you very much Tracy. On with the show The Cure (7/14) Giles put the last book onto the makeshift shelves they'd set up. Buffy picked up her crossbow. "I'm going to patrol. Xander, Cordelia, do you want to go home? Speak now or you're not going home." "No, I'm staying," Xander replied. "Me too," Cordelia said. "Okay, I'll be back in an hour tops," Buffy said, heading out with her cross bow. "No one leaves." ******************* Angel led Dru to Willow's house. Angel looked in the window. "She's not there," Angel said with disappointment. He thought for a moment. "Okay Dru, new plan. We'll split a passerby and wait for Willow to come home." Suddenly, Angel saw a girl with dark hair on the road. He walked out to the sidewalk. "Excuse me, do you know the time?" Angel asked her politely. She turned around and Angel walked towards her. "Umm. . .yeah, it's eight fifteen," she replied. "Do you go to Sunnydale High?" he asked. "Yes, I do," she answered, but looked at him suspiciously. "Do you know Willow Rosenberg? I'm supposed to meet her, but I can't remember which house she lives in," he continued. "Oh, you're a friend of Willow's? She helped me with science last year. Umm. . this is her house," the girl pointed and headed toward the house, "Yup, this is it." While her back was turned, Angel put on his game face. "Thanks," he said as he sunk his teeth into her neck. ***************** Buffy sat on the wall of the graveyard, swinging her legs with her crossbow ready. She smiled thinking about her situation. <> Suddenly, she saw a vampire come out of a grave. She jumped silently to the ground and headed towards it. She aimed the crossbow and reached for the trigger. Then, out of nowhere another vampire grabbed her from behind. Buffy supported herself on the vampire's arms and kicked it in the knees. It let go of her and she quickly shot it in the heart. Then without missing a beat, she shot the other one straight in the heart. Buffy brushed off her jeans and smiled to herself. <> Then she headed back to Oz's. ***************** Jenny fell into the bed the elderwoman had had prepared for her. Jenny was pleased with her progress. She had finished the training and they were almost finished preparing the spell. Jenny lay under the covers thinking about the work she had accomplished. She was pleased and proud of herself. As she drifted to sleep her last conscious thought was <> **************** "Angel, the sun will be up soon, I don't think she's coming home tonight. Let's go home," Dru said. "Let's stop at Buffy's first. I want to know if she's protecting Willow. They might be at the library. Come Dru," Angel instructed grabbing her by the hand and marching in the direction of Buffy's house. End part 7 Please send feedback. If you don't send any, I'll assume everyone hated it and stop writing. Maybe. Anyways, feedback to sdouglas@camfordinfo.com To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: NightHunter Subject: BUFFYFIC: Her Darkest Hour Epilog Date: 14 Apr 1998 22:38:31 -0700 Epilog Part 1 (Asking Willow) Several Months had passed since Buffy had confronted her Darkest Hour= . After Catherine was killed by Willow, most of her spells were broken.= =20 Giles had been turned back to flesh. However, Willow was still cursed= by=20 the bite of a werewolf. She had to be chained up every full moon. Xan= der was still a vampire, but, different. Willow started to worry the full moon was coming up soon. But Buffy h= ad not come over to chain her up yet. She had just picked up the phone = to call her when she heard a sound at the window. She turned around to s= ee Xander, so she went to the window and opened it. "Xander, what are y= ou doing here?" asked Willow. "May I come in Willow?" asked Xander. "You never needed to ask be-- Oh, sorry, Yah come on in."Willow repli= ed. "Willow, I know you were expecting Buffy, but she had to talk to Gil= es, and I needed to ask you an important question," said Xander as he climbed in the window.=20 "Sure! But Xander, the moon's coming up," replied Willow. "Oh, right, sorry. I got the chains here if you'll lay down. I'll cha= in you to the bed," said Xander. Willow smiled. "You don't know how long I waited to hear you say that= ." Willow said holding up her hand to stop Xander from saying anything.= =20 "But I know that you love Buffy. I hope we can still be friends." "Willow, you are my best bud. I mean it, we've been friends forever," Stated Xander. "That brings me to why I'm here. Uh... last night I as= ked=20 Buffy to marry me and she said yes. I couldn't think of anyone I wou= ld=20 rather have as a best man, I mean woman. You know what I mean." "Yes! I would be honored Xanderrrrrr," replied] Willow. Her last wor= d ending with a growl as the change became complete. Epilog Part 2 (Asking Giles) Giles turned around form his desk, when he heard the library door ope= n and saw Buffy enter. She looked like she was in a very good mood. He was even more surprised to see her do a double somersault through = the air landing on his desk. She sat down, and Giles found himself asking= =20 "Buffy, what's got you so happy tonight?" "Giles, you know that you've been like a father to me ever since I ca= me to Sunnydale. Letting me stay with you while mom is in a coma," Buffy= =20 said. "And well, here goes. Xander asked me to marry him. I said yes = and I was well, u'know like wondering, if you'd walk me down the aisle?" "Buffy, there's only one answer to give you. I'd be honored to be the one to stand in for your father," replied Giles moving from his chair= to=20 embrace her in a hug. Epilog Part 3 (Talking To Mom) Buffy looked at the clock as she entered the hospital. It was a littl= e past 10 p.m. Just as she begin to wonder were Xander was, she felt a= =20 hand on her shoulder. She turned around to find herself looking into = the eyes of her future husband. Buffy and Xander entered the hospital walking past the desk. The nigh= t nurse the same one who was lifted up and held against the wall decide= d that it was safer to let the Summers girl and her friend into her mother's room, even at this time of night. Buffy carefully opened the door to the room that her mom had been kee= p in since the attack. She moved over to the bed, leaning down she brushed a stray hair from her mom's forehead. Xander came up behind and said, "Buffy. You need to be alone with her= , I'll wait outside." "No! Xander, I need you here with me," said Buffy tears rolling down= =20 her face, "I mean, I don't even know if she can hear me." "She can hear you Buffy. Tell her what you need to." Buffy looked dow= n to see a familiar furry face looking up at her. She turned to see Xan= der looking at her with a strange look on his face. "Buffy did that cat j= ust talk to you?" "I have a name you know, it's Fizzgigg, last of the Feline Mages. As = I was saying Buffy, you have the greatest power of all, love use it,"= =20 said Fizzgigg as he was engulfed in a bright white light. Buffy reached over taking her mother's hand, "Mom remember when you t= old that everyone has a special someone. Well, I found mine. Xander asked= me to marry him and I said yes. Only one other thing could make me more hap= py then I am now. That's if you could give me your blessing,." said Buffy as = the tears ran down her face. She got up and turned to see Xander crying also. "God Buffy! if I could I would do anything to bring her back," said Xander. They had just got to the door when Buffy heard something. She turned around the see her mother smiling. "Buffy, if you love him then there= 's no way I could say no." said Joyce, barely finishing before she is grabbed by too crying teens. Epilog Part 4 (The Wedding) After weeks of searching, Buffy finally found a Priest who agreed to marry them after dark. Xander, had been standing at the altar for what seemed like hours "Willow, what if she changed her mind." "Well Xander, I'm still free," replied Willow with a smile. At that moment the march begin to play. All eyes turned to see Buffy= . Dressed in a long flowing white satin gown with a long lace train trailing behind her. Giles marched down the Aisle with her, arm in ar= m they approached the altar. The Priest began "Dearly, beloved, we are gather here today uh...toni= ght to join this man and woman in holy matrimony. Who gives this woman to this man?" "I do," replied Giles moving Buffy's arm to Xanders. "The couple have wrote their own vows," said the Priest. "I, Alexander Harris, take you Buffy Summers, to become my other half= . For I have found that without you by my side, life isn't worth anythi= ng. I promise to love you more and more everyday. To stand by your side e= ver night. I want you to know that I'd walk through the fires of hell if = you asked me to." Xander Placed the ring on Buffy's finger. "I, Buffy Summers, take you Alexander Harris, to be my other half. I= t was you who shined the brightest in the darkest night. You never left= my side, no matter what the cost. You are my beacon. With you at my side= , the night will never be dark again. I love you more and more everyday. An= d not even the fires of hell will burn as long as my love burns for you." Buffy placed the ring on Xander's finger. The Priest moved back in front of the couple. "If there is anyone her= e who knows of any reason that these two should not be joined, let them speak now or forever hold their peace." When no one said anything the Pries= t continued. "Then, what, God has put together let no one tear asunder.= I now pronounce you, man and wife, you may kiss the bride." Xander reaches down and removed the veil, Buffy and Xander kiss and everyone cheered. Buffy notices that the crystal arm band had started to glow, she and Xander both heard a loud voice that said. "I, am very proud of you my child. I give you this gift of my love. From this day forth your love for each other will keep you together, always. Your life energies are merged your two hearts now beat as one. Go, be happy." The End I know it all happened fast, so if anyone wants to write any stories taking place before the wedding feel free to do so.=20 "One day, I shall come back=85Yes, I shall come back. Until then, t= here must be no regrest, no tears, no anxieties. Just go forth in all your beliefs and prove to me that I am not mistaken in mine." To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Leslie S." Subject: BUFFYFIC: Discuss: Help and a question Date: 15 Apr 1998 13:24:01 PDT 1. I need to know that it is called when someone is allergic to the sun. Its like progeria or something and I need to know for a fic I am wiritng. 2. I need a few proofers for my sequal to "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner." (It was sent to the list back in February.) I am mostly concerned with content and dialogue being true to character. Plus I need reassurances that it does not suck! Any help anyone can offer is greatly appreciated! Leslie ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Lost & Found (6/?) Date: 15 Apr 1998 16:39:40 EDT Lost & Found 6 Title: Lost & Found (6/?) Author: Michelle E-mail: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG-13 = violence and graphic descriptions (no sex) Summary: Series after Vengeance - Buffy, Xander, Willow & Giles are all vampires. Drusilla is making Buffy pay for supposedly killing Spike. Previous Stories: If you like this story but don't understand it, it's probally because you haven't read Vengeance. That came before this one and this is a continuation of it. You can find it as well as all my other stories at: http://members.aol.com/aglx/buffywrittings.html Distribution: I'll say yes, but ask. Spoilers: Everything up to Killed By Death (just to be safe) Feedback: Please, good or bad, I need to know. The more feedback, the more writting I do! I won't care if you tell me this story is horrible, I just want to know. This story is something that happens after Killed By Death. Probally a Third season type story. This story has some pretty graphic descriptions and some people may be upset by the story. There is a PG-13 rating on this story however, there is no sex or sexual situations. Just some Buffy like language and violence. This story will go on for a while, or until I come up with a way to end it. The characters, Buffy, Xander, Willow, etc. belong to Joss Whedon, The WB, Sandollar, etc. ************ Their limp bodies hung from the wall. The chains held strong and tight against their limbs. Unconscious, Spike and Angel were a bloody mess from their battle. "This is better than TV!" Xander quipped. "You know, I think you have a point there," Oz said smiling. The two sat across the dungeon watching the motionless vampires hang across the room from them. Spike awoke moaning loudly in pain. The chains were cutting into his wrists and his body ached in pain he had never thought he was capable of. He slowly opened his eyes and examined his surroundings to find himself hanging two feet off the ground. "What the hell is going on?" Spike's voice was hoarse and weak. "Look who woke up," Drusilla said as she entered the cold room. "Dru?" Spike couldn't believe his eyes. The love of his life stood before him, powerful and more beautiful than he ever imagined she could be. "You've been up to no good!" Dru glared deep into Spike's eyes as if she was trying to burn a hole into them. Spike dropped his head. "I'm sorry, baby. I just..." "Hush. You lied to me. You left me. You're not entitled to be sorry." Spike closed his eyes painfully. He refused to raise his head because he knew she had every right to hate him. ******* "I'll have a cafe mocha." The server nodded and walked away. Buffy waited at the counter for her drink while surveying her surroundings. Several people sat throughout the small cafe enjoying themselves. It made Buffy sick to her stomach to see such happiness. "Here you go miss." The server presented Buffy with a cup and Buffy handed her some money. "Thank you," the woman said. "Yeah," Buffy mumble as she walked over to a small table by the door. Buffy looked out the open door as she sipped her drink. 'Where could they have gone?' Her mind was filled with thoughts towards Angel and Spike's disappearance. Staring out into the cold night, Buffy realized, 'the note.' In the rush of getting packed she dropped it on the floor of her room. 'Xander must have found it,' Buffy thought as she slammed the cup down onto the saucer spilling some of the hot liquid onto her hand. Buffy hissed at the burning pain. Grabbing her jacket, she rushed out of the cafe into the open streets of Vienna. ******** A hard back hand struck Angel's face, bringing him to a half-conscious state. Drusilla stood before him waiting for him to wake. She grabbed his hair and pulled his head back. "Wake up!" Drusilla yelled into his ear. Angel screamed out and Dru let go of his hair. "What did you think you were doing?" She waited impatiently for his response. "Killing Spike," Angel managed to let out in a deep voice. "If it wasn't for Buffy, I would have." The excruciating pain riveted through his body with each word. "Buffy? You mean the both of you couldn't handle her?" "Both of us?!? He was working with her." "On what?" Dru was shocked to hear his words. "How should I know? I just know she went to a lot of trouble to beat me here." Angel tried smile hoping for her sympathy. Dru punched Angel in the face, knocking him out cold. Spike watched from the wall and raised his head to stare at Drusilla in wide-eyed amazment. She marched to the doorway flaming with anger. "Come on!" Drusilla indicated for Xander and Oz to follow her out. The door slammed shut, leaving Angel and Spike in pitch silence. End Part 6. 7, 8 & 9 coming soon! I'm no professional here, only 15 years old, so I really need some feedback so I know how this story is going. To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: taygeta@juno.com (Charity C Tran) Subject: BUFFYFIC: My Moria (4/?) Date: 15 Apr 1998 17:39:50 -0700 Title: My Moira (4/?) Author: Taygeta E-mail: Taygeta@juno.com Feedback: Pretty please? *smiles sheepishly* Distribution: Anywhere you think appropriate, but please tell me first. Spoiler: Not really Description: Twenty years into the future, 'nuff said. Disclaimer: The Buffy characters portrayed in this story and any other references to Buffy the Vampire Slayer are the property of its creater Joss Whedon, and its owners Mutant Enemy productions, Kuzui Productions, Sandollar Productions, and 20th Century Fox. Rating: PG-13 for language (sort of) ************************ My Moria (4/?) By: Taygeta "What?" Buffy said, her jaw fell open in an agape expression as her body stiffened in her husband's embrace, her mind unsure whether her ears had heard correctly. "Moria is the new slayer," repeated Cordelia softly, hating the surrounding silence filled with shock and fear at the battle that was yet to come. Buffy closed her eyes and shook her head and denied incessantly, "She can't be the new slayer! I won't allow it!" and upon turning her head to look at the young Watcher she yelled, "No!" "I know what you must be feeling right now-" Cordelia tried to begin, but she was met by lachrymose eyes and a sharp, angered tongue. "You have no idea what I'm feeling right now!" Buffy stormed pulling herself away from Xander's hold, "None whatsoever!" "You must understand that the world -" started Giles, trying to calm his former protégé. "Screw the world, I don't care!" she said as hot tears spilled from her eyes, "I have had enough of prophecies and duty and loyalty. You told me, Giles, you told me it was all over, that I didn't have to deal with the demons and the witches and the vampires, but I'm still dealing, damn it! Why do I still have to deal with it?" "You are not taking my daughter into the hell that Buffy had to go through," Xander said coldly to Cordelia, "You aren't even going to put her through the hell the rest of us had to go through. For God's sake, Cordelia, haven't we all been through enough?" "I'm sorry that I had to come here after all years to bring you into this...again," the Watcher fumed, "You must know that I don't do this purposely?" "Of course, we know that, Cordelia," Xander said with a sigh, "And I'm sorry I yelled at you, but you have to understand we've been pushed to the limit with all of this Hellmouth crap." "I know," said Cordelia nodding, and she glanced over at Buffy, who was sitting silently on the couch, "Buffy, you must understand that this how it is, and I can't do anything to stop it. All I can do is train Moira to fight and to survive...to live." "Even if you train and even if she's the best slayer this world has ever seen, there's still that chance that she'll -" Buffy stopped and sighed, and hesitated, but continued, "Cordelia, I don't want my little girl to die." "Nor do I," she responded as she sat down beside her, "And I'm going to let her die, none of us are." ***************** End of Part 4 _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" Interlude #4 by Ingrid Date: 16 Apr 1998 00:15:00 -0400 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Buffy, Giles, Cordelia, Spike, Drusilla, Willow, Angel & co. are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: I’ve decided to help explain the past through a series of interludes that will be interspersed throughout the story as it goes on. This series is obviously meant as a companion to the aforementioned "Reunion." These flashbacks take place about 9 years before "Reunion," give or take a few months. Needless to say, if you haven’t read "Reunion," this won’t make much sense to you. If you don’t have parts 1-12 of it, you can write to me and request them. My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. Oh! BTW, I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! "Reunion" Interlude # 3: "Comfort" by Ingrid His back slid down the side of the counter, the notches of the cabinet handles poking his back. The floor was cold. He slumped against the wall and curled up against the world. Nice to know that he could do one final disservice to his friend by showing up late on the night of her death. It was just like him. He was the taker, and she was the giver, and not once had she complained. Rain poured through the open window, soaking the muffins on the counter top. He got up and closed it. There was a knock at the door. He crossed the room and opened it. It took a few moments before he was able to identify her as Cordelia. She was soaked, the mascara dripping at the corners of her eyes, her hair limp and falling across her face. She was shivering. He stood there without moving. "I just heard." She was practically convulsing now. He let her inside and closed the door, taking one last look into the blackness of the night and turned around. "I’m so sorry. God, I don’t know what to say, Xander." He kept walking towards the corner of the kitchen and sat down again by the corner of the cabinet. "I let it happen. I was late to our meeting, and when I got there, she was already…" "Oh my God. You were there when…" "I couldn’t have been there on time. I figured, It’s Will- you know, she’ll wait for me. I guess she couldn’t wait for me this time." Cordelia approached his retreat nervously. "Xander." She really didn’t know what to say at all. So she settled for something trite. "It’s not your fault. You know that." "Maybe it isn’t. Maybe I couldn’t have stopped it anyway. No, I couldn’t have stopped it. But I could have at least been there for her when he was draining her life away. I could have screamed goodbye." The last words came out choked and dry. A sob, she realized. *Oh my God. Oh my God.* He didn’t say anything more, but the sobs grew louder. She was standing in the middle of the kitchen shaking and dripping wet, and she didn’t know what to do. So she crossed over to him, more afraid of rejection than anything else. His crying increased as she wrapped her numb arms around him and began to cry with him. There was nothing to say. She couldn’t bring herself to say that it would be okay. It wouldn’t. She couldn’t say she understood. She didn’t. She couldn’t say that he suddenly mattered so much more to her now, sitting here in his kitchen than anyone else. But he did. She couldn’t tell him that she looked terrible, and it didn’t matter one bit. But it didn’t. She couldn’t tell him that her heart was beginning to ache in a place she didn’t know existed- a place that was reserved just for him. But she could feel the pain tearing at it. So she cried, mourning the loss of Willow and the loss of innocence. *** End Interlude # 3 _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Kirstin" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Fallen (3/3) Date: 16 Apr 1998 02:09:04 -0400 title: Fallen (3/3) author: Kirstin e-mail: kmo@acpub.duke.edu rating: strictly G or PG here. nothing anybody can't read. disclaimer: these characters are joss's, the wb's, mutant enemy's, anyone else who has a valid claim that i don't know about's property. they aren't mine. neither is the stuff from Gone . . ., Anya's story, which this is a sequel to. the song is by the lovin' spoonful, so i guess they own that. the ideas here, however, are mine. please don't steal them. distribution: ask and ye shall receive. feedback: pretty please with a cherry on top. i'm not so sure how i feel about this part . . . ************************** "Did you ever have to make up your mind? Pick up on one and leave the other behind, It's not often easy and not often kind. Did you ever have to make up your mind? Did you ever have to finally decide? Say yes to one and let the other one ride, There's so many changes and tears you must hide. Did you ever have to finally decide?" This song has been running through my mind for days. Maybe it's some sort of Slayer thing. You know, there can be only one, and that one will be forever plagued by cheesy, yet prophetic, song lyrics. It's probably in the Slayer handbook or something. Or maybe it's another prophecy Giles forgot to tell me about, like the one that said I would die. Either way, it's happening. Because I do have to make up my mind. I have to choose between something I could never have, and something I never used to think I wanted. So what can I do? Should I hold out for Angel? Exactly how long do I have to wait for him? I've been home for weeks, without so much as a word. He couldn't drop a dime to tell me that he isn't dead? Scratch that, he's been dead as long as I have known him. At first it really bothered me. The whole not calling, not writing, not saying good-bye thing. But as time goes on, it bothers me less. I guess some of the memories are fading. All that I'm left with is cryptic boy's leather jacket and a cross. And while they say a lot, they don't say everything. I didn't even really know how he felt about me when he was around. How could I possibly know what he's thinking when he is away? There is so much he never told me; so much we could have shared. But we made the decision to cool off. I guess it gave him the wiggins too, the whole Vampire/Slayer thing. Maybe nothing would have happened even if he had stayed. Maybe I really didn't love him. Sometimes I felt like I loved him. He was so romantic. He was the perfect tall, dark, and handsome prince. Sure, there was the thing where he drinks blood, but I could have looked past that. Or I at least would have tried. When it didn't work out, then he could run away. But to leave me when things were so fuzzy gray area? Did he expect me to wait? Did he want me to wait? I don't think I will. I don't want to wait until my life is over for some guy who may never be coming back. I'm not going to spend eternity pining over him, when I don't even know how he feels. I want to know right now exactly how it's going to be. If he can't tell me, I'll find someone who will. But is that person Xander? Is he just my Xander-shaped friend, or could he be my love? How will I know either way? Sometimes, I think there might be something there, especially lately. Since Willow and Angel split town, we've spent a lot of time together. And after I was finally able to see through my haze of Angel-induced depression, I had fun. He had fun too. Together, we were able to forget about all of the bad things that have happened lately. Together, we were able to get past the sadness. And sometimes, it felt like maybe he was more than just a friend. Like maybe someday I could really care about him, in that way. I know that's how he feels about me. I could tell even before he asked me to the Spring Fling. I think that he might love me. Or at least he thinks he does. I think he might have loved me for a while now. But I'm just not sure how I feel. Part of it is Angel. Xander doesn't really measure up in some areas. He's not as tall, or breath-taking, or dangerously mysterious, or exhilarating. But he is cute. I love his smile. And he's funny. He can always make me laugh. And dangerous and mysterious are overrated. Sometimes, it's nice to have reliable. And he's brave, so brave. He has saved more times than I like to think. He brought me back from the dead. It's like we have a bond between us. I like that I know what he's thinking, and that he knows how I feel. I like that we can talk about anything. Angel and I never talked. Things are different with Xander. I like it. I like him. I think I'm going to give it a shot. I'm going to see what will happen. Maybe there is a deeper bond between us. Maybe I'll fall in love. To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: "Reunion" error Date: 16 Apr 1998 10:53:19 -0400 I just realized that I made a boo-boo when I sent out the interlude entitled "Comfort." That was supposed to be number three, and "Enough" is the real number four. Hope that clears everything up. -Ingrid _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (13/?) by Ingrid Date: 16 Apr 1998 10:41:32 -0400 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Angel, Buffy, Cordelia, Willow, Xander, Jenny, Giles & company are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: They finally get down to the nitty gritty… Welcome to my story. It takes place ten years into the future, but I’m not telling you what’s happened in advance. I’m going to reveal that as time goes on in the story. I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. If you don’t get this, that’s because you haven’t read the other parts. If you want to get this, ask me for them! ********* "Reunion," by Ingrid Part Thirteen: "Translations" ********* "‘An old enemy returns’ is the first line here, see?" Cordelia was pointing at the small text and Buffy was squinting to read it. "Right. Now what’s this?" "Okay, now this is what we can’t figure out. This part says ‘slayer’ and this part says ‘time.’ We figure that it has something to do with the slayers throughout time and it’s a measurement of the difficulty this disaster will present." "No." They both looked over to the couch, where Angel was hunched over the big book. "It’s one slayer. Look at the article before it. It’s definite. I think it means the previous," he corrected. "Previous? Wait. That would explain why Buffy’s having the dreams too. These are ‘now,’ and this is ‘previous,’ and… hmm…" "Cordelia. Tell me that’s a ‘the new slayer and the old slayer have a party and the whole gang’s invited’ kind of ‘hmm.’" "Well it is if you consider a bunch of vampires warping time a party," Angel announced. "Huh?" "As far as I understand, that’s what it means by ‘set things right’ in this context. That would also explain why you’re involved. It must have been a vampire you’ve faced that’s responsible for this. But who? I can’t think of anyone left alive that has both enough power and enough motivation to-" "Spike." "Spike?" "I saw him in my dream." "Me too, and so did Corin, or at least I think she did." "He wants to bring her back," Angel affirmed. "Drusilla," Cordelia added. "Damn." "What does it say about the outcome?" "That’s another problem. It’s something about a death." "A death will restore time. Whose death?" "That’s the end. There isn’t anything else that indicates…" "What about this?" "A friend emerges from the shadows." "Well I’m a friend," Buffy continued, "but I don’t think I’ve ‘emerged from the shadows.’ Unless you consider L.A. a shadow." Her attempt at humor fell flat. She perked up immediately. "Hey, maybe it’s Angel?" "Hmm… Maybe." "I think we should worry about Spike first. A friend can only help us, right?" Someone knocked perfunctorily at the door. Giles. *** END, PART 13. _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" Interlude #4: "Enough" by Ingrid Date: 16 Apr 1998 10:50:34 -0400 DISCLAIMER: The characters of Buffy, Giles, Cordelia, Spike, Drusilla, Willow, Angel & co. are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: I’ve decided to help explain the past through a series of interludes that will be interspersed throughout the story as it goes on. This series is obviously meant as a companion to the aforementioned "Reunion." These flashbacks take place about 9 years before "Reunion," give or take a few months. Needless to say, if you haven’t read "Reunion," this won’t make much sense to you. If you don’t have parts 1-12 of it, you can write to me and request them. My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. Oh! BTW, I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! "Reunion" Interlude # 4: "Enough" by Ingrid "Come on- You should go to bed. I don’t know where your parents, are, but-" "Oh God. My parents. They don’t know yet. What will I tell them?" He looked around. "What day is it?" "It’s Friday." She looked at her watch, rubbing at her eyes. "Well, technically Saturday," she answered, her voice still shaky. "They’re gone. For the weekend. Some business thing…" He trailed off and looked at her. She grew uneasy. Maybe he didn’t want her here after all. It was too private, too personal. For all the groping they’d done, they didn’t know all that much about each other at all. "Xander?" "You look terrible," he observed, his own voice a tenuous mess. He reached out and touched her face, wiping at the running make-up there. She smiled and tried to fill her lungs with air. Her eyes were still burning. "I know," she breathed, "so do you." And laughed from behind the tears. The silence blended comfortably with the rain on the window. "And you’re shaking," he continued, and pulled her into a comforting hug. "So are you," she grinned, relaxing in his arms, comfortable even though she was sitting on a kitchen floor, in wet clothes, curled up to her equally wet boyfriend. Slowly, he pulled them both up to their feet. "Come on," he prodded, and they made their way up the carpeted stairs leaning on each other. "Where are we going," she asked quietly. "To get cleaned up," he explained, and led her into the bathroom. *** Tenderly, with as steady a hand as he could manage, he dabbed at the black lines running down her cheeks. She closed her eyes at the touch, completely unfamiliar to such gentleness; even unaware that such a thing existed. "Xander," she whispered. He shushed her with his lips, letting the washcloth slip from his hands to fall where it might. The kiss was so soft- little more than a breath on her mouth. She had to bite her lip to stop from whimpering. "Xander," she pleaded. He pulled away reluctantly, leaving her lips warm and tingling. "That’s right," he breathed. "I’m sorry. I forgot what we were supposed to be doing. Wait right here." She sat in the bathroom alone, reeling from the last few moments here. Him. He returned shortly with some clothes in his hands. Boxers and a large navy T-shirt. "Here. Change into these." He smiled at her before closing the door. "I’m gonna get changed in my room. Be back in a second," she heard from down the hall. She peeled the wet designer fabric from her body and toweled herself off. Her long hair was slowly but surely drying. The clothes he’d given her were warm. Comfortable. She knew they must have been his. What was she doing here, anyway? She was supposed to be home- What the hell was she worried about? It didn’t matter. It wasn’t like they would miss her anyway. But she would miss him, if she left. Maybe he would even- He knocked at the door. "Come in," she mumbled. He opened it and she followed him down the hall. She didn’t notice much about the bedroom. It was enough that she was there, in the place where he lived, slept, and dreamed. It was enough that he’d chosen to let her into his personal space and stay for a while. Wordlessly, she crept under the sheets with him and curled up against him. And for once, it was enough. *** END, Interlude # 4 _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: Fallen (3/3) Date: 16 Apr 1998 17:49:00 EDT (I'm the last one who should criticize, but here it goes.) The last part of Fallen seems pretty unrealistic. Don't get me wrong; it's written terrifically, but some parts contradict the show. In your story, Buffy doesn't know if she loves Angel, but on the show she totally does. She also doesn't know if Angel loves her, but he said so in the episode Suprise. She probably wouldn't fall in love with Xander anyway. Don't let me discourage you though. You've got good writing skills. -Jaclyn To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: uzenet@videotron.ca Subject: BUFFYFIC: Broken Bonds (Part 1) Date: 16 Apr 1998 21:53:07 -0400 Title: Broken Bonds (Part 1) Author: Northlight e-mail: uzenet@videotron.ca Summary: Giles dissapears and bad things start happening. Note: Thanks to all who offered their help. Disclaimer: They aren't mine. **** Hurry. The word vibrated through Giles' mind as the telephone dropped from his numb fingers. He sat behind his desk, his body paralyzed by shock and fear. 'This can't be happening!' the unbelieving emotional part of his mind informed him. But it was. This possibility had always hovered in the back of his mind, but Giles had consistently denied that traitorous thought. Until now. 'And now it may be too late'. His paralysis broke, and Giles shot back from his desk. Where he had been unmoving only moments before, action now took place. Giles rose to his feet, looking around the dimly lighted office that had practically become his home during his stay in Sunnydale. Now, the small room looked strange, dangerous. 'Don't just stand there, move!' his mind ordered. Giles grabbed up his Watcher's journal, quickly stuffing it into his briefcase. He would not allow the knowledge in that volume to fall into the hands of his enemies. It would be a small victory to keep it from them, but at the moment Giles was willing to take any victory that he could. 'Oh God... Buffy!' Giles jerked to a stop, his frantic rummaging stopped by the thought of the young Slayer that he had sworn to protect. He had to warn her. 'I can't let them get to her.' The thought of what would happen to Buffy should he be taken shook Giles to the very center of his being. 'I won't let that happen, I can't!' "I have to warn Buffy," Giles mumbled, fear marking his low words. The sound of an approaching car drew Giles towards the window. He peeked out, his heart pounding frantically. "No!" he groaned as the doors to the car swung open, two men emerging from it. "I'm too late!" Hurry. He had to run. He had no other options. Buffy would be alright. She was smart, and he had trained her to the best of his ability. She had friends to help her. She would be fine. 'If anything happens to her-- No! I can't think that!' Giles roughly shook his head, forcing the thoughts of Buffy to the back of his mind for the moment. He had more pressing things to worry about at the moment, and he would be of no help to her if he were to get caught now. Hurry. Giles clutched his briefcase in sweaty hands and darted towards the door. He ran through the darkened halls blindly, fear driving him forward. Soft whispers and creaks assulted his straining ears, sending Giles hiding behind the unlocked door of a nearby classroom. He stood motionless, only strength of will keeping him from abandoning his precarious hiding place and running. Giles listened intently as the soft sound of footsteps approached him. After doors swung open with low squeals of protest, he could hear the footsteps gradually approaching the room he stood in. Giles knew what he had to do. Strangely, a plan of action soothed his pounding heart slightly. Blind fear no longer claimed his mind, clarity of mind descended on him as his determination to act took hold. 'I only hope that this works' Giles offered up in silent prayer as the door to his room opened. The moment that it did, Giles sprung forward, his briefcase smashing into the shocked man's jaw with a sickening crunch. The man fell backwards, landing in the hall with a pained grunt. Giles didn't waste a moment of the man's disorientation. He came down on him again, his briefcase once more striking the man. He brought the leather bound case down on the base of the weakly struggling man's head until he no longer moved. The moment the man limply slumped to the ground, unconscious, Giles was once again sprinting down the hall. 'I wonder if they truly thought that I would be so easy to take that they only had to send two?' Giles wondered. 'But then again, I doubt that they knew that I would be forewarned of their arrival.' He met no more resistance on his flight from the school, and within moments, Giles burst from the building, heading into the night. End Part 1 To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Anexsin Subject: BUFFYFIC: The Things We Do For Love (2/5) Date: 17 Apr 1998 00:15:13 EDT TITLE: The Things We Do For Love (2/5) AUTHOR: Melinda Frango EMAIL ADDY: Anexsin@aol.com DISTRIBUTION: Please, ask first. FEEDBACK: Greatly appreciated. RATING: PG, for the usual Buffy language. SPOILER: All episodes have happened, but major spoilers for "Passion" DISCLAIMER: Anything that has to do with the Buffyverse in anyway, belongs to Joss Whedon, WB, etc. Only the story is mine. SUMMARY: The gang restore Angel's soul, aided by the yellow disk. AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know I already wrote a story in which Angel gets his soul back, but this one is a direct sequel to my other two stories "Moments of Truth" and "Unexpected Confrontation" and is in no way related to my other one. This one takes place immediately afterwards, so if you didn't read those two, you wil be confused with this one. If you want to read them, email me privately and I'll send them to you. Oh, and this * represents thoughts. ~~~~~~~~~~~ On the other side of town in the abandoned, and now burnt factory, Spike sat in a chair and watched Drusilla hang on her sire's every word. Ever since Angel lost his soul and reverted to Angelus, things have gone downhill for Spike. First he'd been confined to a wheelchair for weeks because of the fire he got caught in, compliments of the Slayer, and now Angelus was making the moves on Drusilla, causing Spike to be more than upset. *I'm going to do whatever it takes to get rid of Angelus, even if it means helping the Slayer,* Spike vowed to himself. *Like I said, you're going down Angelus. You can't just saunter in here and take over my territory like..like I don't exist! I'll make you pay* ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Okay, so what exactly are we looking for?" Cordelia questioned. Buffy and the group were in Ms. Calendar's old computer room in the school the following day. When Buffy called all her friends, some were reluctant to help out, and some willingly agreed to help . Xander being a reluctant one, and Willow being a willing one. "A yellow disk, that goes in a computer," Willow reminded her. "You know I don't know why we're doing this? Why not just stake the bastard? I mean he killed Ms. Calendar, and now you're going to go and restore his soul? I don't get you," Xander complained. "First off, Angel and Angelus are two different people, Angel would never do anything that Angelus has done. Secondly, you don't have to be here. No one is forcing you to help. Besides, you saw for yourself that Angel is separate from Angelus when he came here yesterday," Buffy stared at him. Xander breathed a sigh. "I'm sorry...it's just," "I know, Xander, and I didn't mean to sound harsh," Buffy whispered. Xander just smiled at her understandingly and she returned the smile. "What if the disk is gone, I mean it's been a while," Oz asked. "I found it!" Willow shouted. "I found it!" Willow was jumping up and down, holding the disk in her hand. "Where was it?" Giles questioned. "Between the desks here. It must of been knocked there," Willow answered. Buffy walked towards Willow with a smile, then grabbed her friend in a hug, sharing her enthusiasm. "Well let's see what it says we have to do," Giles proceeded. The group left the room, and reconvened in the library. Willow sat down at the table with her laptop in front of her; carefully inserting the disk into the drive, and waited while it uploaded the information. When it was done the words "The Ritual of Restoration" appeared on the screen. "This is it," Willow confirmed. "What do we need?" Xander asked. "There's some words that have to be said, and a...Orb of Thesulah. Where are we supposed to get that?" "What is that, anyway?" Buffy asked confused. "An Orb of Thesulah is supposed to summon a person's soul from the ether, and hold it in the orb until it can be transferred," Giles informed them. "Are you saying we have to put Angel in this orby thing?" Buffy inquired. "His soul, Buffy." "That's what I meant." "Well then yes that's what we need to do." "Well we can't do anything with the orb so, I can make lots of copies of this ritual, on more disks, and print it out, just in case..." Willow trailed off. "Yes, very good idea, I'll a..see if I can track down an orb. The sooner we perform this ritual, the sooner Angelus stops terrorizing us," Giles agreed. They all nodded in agreement, and Willow went about copying the ritual as many times as possible. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ to be continued..... To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Anexsin Subject: BUFFYFIC: The Things We Do For Love (1/5) Date: 17 Apr 1998 00:15:03 EDT TITLE: The Things We Do For Love (1/5) AUTHOR: Melinda Frango EMAIL ADDY: Anexsin@aol.com DISTRIBUTION: Please, ask first. FEEDBACK: Greatly appreciated. RATING: PG, for the usual Buffy language. SPOILER: All episodes have happened, but major spoilers for "Passion" DISCLAIMER: Anything that has to do with the Buffyverse in anyway, belongs to Joss Whedon, WB, etc. Only the story is mine. SUMMARY: The gang restore Angel's soul, aided by the yellow disk. AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know I already wrote a story in which Angel gets his soul back, but this one is a direct sequel to my other two stories "Moments of Truth" and "Unexpected Confrontation" and is in no way related to my other one. This one takes place immediately afterwards, so if you didn't read those two, you wil be confused with this one. If you want to read them, email me privately and I'll send them to you. Oh, and this * represents thoughts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "What kind of news?" Buffy asked curiously. Buffy could hear Giles take in a deep breath on the other end of the phone line, then he continued. "I just read the letter from Jenny; it says she was working on a cure to restore Angel's soul, and that's why he came after her," Giles informed her. "B-But she said it wasn't possible, and now she's dead so the cure is lost once again," Buffy sounded dejected. "She said he destroyed that dread machine and the printouts, but she managed to save it to a yellow thingy...a.." "Disk," Buffy supplied. "Yes, that's it. It's in the computer room somewhere," Giles finished. "Are you saying if we find it you're willing to give Angel back his soul?" Buffy questioned, hope rising up within her. "Y-yes, it was her last wish. I want to do this for her." "Well tomorrow's Saturday so if you're willing to let me skip my training session, we can gather everyone up and look for the disk." "I see good reasoning in that," Giles agreed. "Good," Buffy said perkily. She was happy that she got out of training for a day, and even happier that there may be a remote possibility of bringing Angel back. After seeing him today she knew there was a chance. Her heart told her so. "Don't get your hopes up to much, Buffy. This could not end up the way we want it to," Giles warned. "I know, Giles. I know." "Get some sleep, Buffy." "You to," Buffy ordered. "Goodnight." "Goodnight, see you tomorrow." "Bye." "Bye," Giles ended the conversation. After Buffy placed the reciever onto it's cradle she smiled brightly. "We're going to bring you back, Angel. I won't let you down. I love you," she whispered. "I love you too," she faintly heard, like a breath on the wind. And that's when she knew Angel was watching over her, and waiting to come back to her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After saying goodbye to Buffy, Giles hung up the phone, and settled back down onto the couch. He closed his eyes and whispered, "I hope your happy now Jenny." "I am Rupert, I am," her assurance resonated around him. He smiled and fell into calm, peaceful slumber. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To be continued....... To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Anexsin Subject: BUFFYFIC: The Things We Do For Love (4/5) Date: 17 Apr 1998 00:15:37 EDT TITLE: The Things We Do For Love (4/5) AUTHOR: Melinda Frango EMAIL ADDY: Anexsin@aol.com DISTRIBUTION: Please, ask first. FEEDBACK: Greatly appreciated. RATING: PG, for the usual Buffy language. SPOILER: All episodes have happened, but major spoilers for "Passion" DISCLAIMER: Anything that has to do with the Buffyverse in anyway, belongs to Joss Whedon, WB, etc. Only the story is mine. SUMMARY: The gang restore Angel's soul, aided by the yellow disk. AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know I already wrote a story in which Angel gets his soul back, but this one is a direct sequel to my other two stories "Moments of Truth" and "Unexpected Confrontation" and is in no way related to my other one. This one takes place immediately afterwards, so if you didn't read those two, you wil be confused with this one. If you want to read them, email me privately and I'll send them to you. Oh, and this * represents thoughts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Angelus was fuming as he ran in the direction of the library. Just the thought of having his soul restored was repulsing to him. When he killed the Gypsy, he had thought he put an end to even a remote chance of that ritual being found, but infinitely he was wrong. "That's what that twit meant when he decided to pop up," he mumbled to himself. "Can I be sure? He knew, my damn soul knew he'd have control again, but I won't let it happen. Tonight they all die." When Angelus reached the front steps of the school, he slipped into his vampire guise, and with a feral grin made his way to the library. Little did he know that his approach to the situation was leading him to his own demise. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Giles, Buffy, and the rest of the slayerettes were ready for Angelus' arrival, so when he burst through the library doors and strode through with a look of pure hatred and anger etched upon his vampire face, they knew it was time. "Give me the damn orb!" he screamed. "I won't let you return it, not again!" he growled loudly. "You don't have a choice," Buffy replied, her voice tight with conflicting emotions. Hate for the creature standing in front of her, and hope that her love would soon replace it. He snarled viciously and lept at her. He grabbed her arms in a death grip, and forced her against the wall. He trapped her between his body and the wall, and held his face menacingly a few inches from hers. "Give me the orb, or die now," he hissed. "Go to hell, you sick bastard," she hissed in return. He laughed emotionlessly. "Then you die," were his last words as his fangs descended towards the soft flesh of her neck. Her struggling ceased when she realized they were to no avail, his hands had her arms pinned tightly to her sides and his body pinned hers against the wall. Just when she was going to surrender the hope she held onto for such a long time she saw Giles finish reciting the end of the ritual, over Angelus' shoulder. The orb began to shake violently, while the etheral glow inside began to grow brighter. The slayerettes gripped each others hands tightly as they watched in fascination, until they had to shield their eyes from the blinding white light that began to eminate from within it. Angelus was so consumed with the thought of ending Buffy's life that he was oblivious to what was going on around him. Before any one knew what was happening, the orb shattered and the light which was stored inside directed itself at Angelus. He jerked his head up, and stared at Buffy with horror in his eyes. "No," he whispered quietly, shaking his head in denial. As if the simple act would ward off what was happening to him. "No!" he yelled louder as he sank to his knees. The light which had now wrapped itself around the demon gave off one final blinding blaze before seeping into the body, leaving the vampire laying on the floor unconscious. The others rubbed their eyes with their fists trying to get there eyes to adjust once again, while Buffy checked her neck nervously for marks, and when none could be found she kneeled beside what would hopefully be her Angel. "Angel," she whispered, gently shaking him. "Angel, can you hear me?" He moaned quietly and slowly opened his eyes. "Buffy," he murmured. One look into his eyes and she knew it was her Angel, she smiled happily and nodded slightly as the tears began to spill over. She helped him sit up against the wall for support, and then he brought his knees up to his chest and rested his elbow against them which held his pounding head. "How are you feeling?" she asked concerned. The others simply watched. "Like I got hit by a really big truck," he murmured as he made an effort to stand up. Buffy helped him stand up, and he muttered his thanks. Then he looked around out all the others standing there watching him and he sighed. "Thank you...I think." Giles nodded his head. "Like I told you before Angel you always have a place here." "I'll remember that," he replied as he headed towards the exit. "Wh..where are you going?" Buffy asked hurriedly. "I-I need to be alone for awhile. To think, to clear my head, I..." "I understand," Buffy stated. He nodded his thanks and stumbled out of the library still clutching his head in his hand. Buffy looked towards her friends and chocked back a sob. "Well....," she trailed off. "Come on, let's follow him," Xander offered with a slight smile. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To be continued....... To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Anexsin Subject: BUFFYFIC: The Things We Do For Love (3/5) Date: 17 Apr 1998 00:15:26 EDT TITLE: The Things We Do For Love (3/5) AUTHOR: Melinda Frango EMAIL ADDY: Anexsin@aol.com DISTRIBUTION: Please, ask first. FEEDBACK: Greatly appreciated. RATING: PG, for the usual Buffy language. SPOILER: All episodes have happened, but major spoilers for "Passion" DISCLAIMER: Anything that has to do with the Buffyverse in anyway, belongs to Joss Whedon, WB, etc. Only the story is mine. SUMMARY: The gang restore Angel's soul, aided by the yellow disk. AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know I already wrote a story in which Angel gets his soul back, but this one is a direct sequel to my other two stories "Moments of Truth" and "Unexpected Confrontation" and is in no way related to my other one. This one takes place immediately afterwards, so if you didn't read those two, you wil be confused with this one. If you want to read them, email me privately and I'll send them to you. Oh, and this * represents thoughts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -Later that same night- "So did Giles find an orb?" Cordelia questioned. "No, the only place that used to sell them is closed down," Buffy replied feeling defeated. "Slayer," she heard someone call. The group stopped and looked at each other, she gripped the stake in her jacket pocket and glanced around. Her gaze fell upon a figure emerging from the shadows, and she immediately brought the stake up. "Spike," she hissed. "Out of your wheelchair I see." "So good of you to have noticed," he sneered. "What do you want?" she asked coldly. "I've come to make you a deal." "Why on earth would I make a deal with you?" "It involves restoring your precious Angel's soul," Spike smiled knowingly. "What do you know about that?" she asked taken back. "I know you need an Orb of Thesulah, and you can't find one. I also know that Angelus wouldn't have killed your Watcher's consort if she wasn't trying to restore his soul." "What are you saying, exactly?" Xander interrupted. "What I am proposing," he emphasized. "is, I'll get you the orb, and you get Angelus out of my hair," Spike bargained. "Why do you want us to restore Angel's soul? Aren't you happy he reverted?" Willow asked meekly, afraid of the vampire, but curious despite heself. "I was, for about five minutes. But he's really starting to piss me off now. He saunters in thinking he can take all that is mine! My status, my forces, my Dru. He thinks he's all high and mighty, and oh, so special. I hate him, and I want him dead! But then I thought why not make the loser suffer by being cursed with a soul again. And if helping the Slayer will help me achieve that, then so be it," he finished. "It can't be that bad," Buffy commented. "He's annoying, his games are tiring and old, and all he talks about is which one of you he's going to kill next, or the Slayer this, the Slayer that. In the words of a teenager can you say obssesive much?" At first Buffy seemed amused at Spike's predictment, then she took a deep breath and looked at her friends for support. They gave her an 'it's your decision, but we'll stand by you no matter what you decide' look. "Alright, you get us the orb, and we'll take Angel off your hands. But if this is some sort of sick joke to help Angelus get to me, so help you God, I'll kill you, and I'll kill your girlfriend as well. Deal?" "Deal," Spike replied shaking her hand to seal it. "Meet me in the cemetary on the far side of the south wall in three hours no one will see us, and I'll have your orb for you," he informed her. Bufy nodded her head in agreement. "What if Angel finds out?" she suddenly realized. "He won't, as long as any of you don't squel. Besides he hunts near the Bronze, he likes them young." Buffy gave him a knowing look, and watched him carefully as he backed away. "Oh, and Slayer..." "What?" "When this over expect me to come after you. Just like the old days," he smirked. "I can't wait," she called to his retreating form. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -3 hrs later- "I knew Spike was a lying son of a ...." "Xander, calm down. He's only three minutes late," Willow reminded him. "We'll give him a few more minutes," Buffy informed them while glancing at her watch. "So...um, do you guys spend alot of time in this place," Oz asked, looking around the cemetary nervously. "Well, Buffy basically spends her life here, Willow and I frequently visit," Xander joked. "Do you really think he is going to come through, I-I...mean he is a vampire," Willow questioned. Before Buffy could answer Spike came walking in their direction. "Oh ye of little faith. I'm hurt that you didn't trust me," Spike smirked, while bringing his hand to his chest in mock irritation. "Of course we don't trust you. Hello brain-trust you are a vampire," Xander stated. Spike growled at him, and then laughed when he took a step back behind Buffy. "Now I know why Angelus has such a yen to kill you boy. You are annoying." Spike brought his gaze back to the Slayer. "Here's your orb Slayer, the rest is up to you." Spike reached into the pocket of his black trenchcoat, and retrieved a round ball of glass from it, and handed it to her. Buffy took the orb from Spike and held it up for inspection. "Is this it, Willow?" she asked. "Yeah, this should do it." "Where did you find one?" Cordelia piped up. Spike chuckled. "I have my ways." "Damn vampires are always cryptic. Well, I guess I should thank you," Buffy murmured. "No need, just get Angelus out of my way, and we'll call it even." "Alright, I'll hold up my end of the bargain, then expect me to come kill you," Buffy recited. "Oh, you just made my night, I can't wait," Spike joked, and retreated back into the shadows. Xander, Oz, and Cordelia let out the breaths they were holding during the exchange, while Buffy and Willow admired the orb. "It's beautiful," Willow greeted. "Let's get this to Giles," Buffy ordered. "He's gonna flip when I tell him where I got it from." Once again hope welled up within Buffy. Maybe luck will be on her side, and bring her Angel back to her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When Spike made his way back to the factory he saw Drusilla moaning on the floor, and Angelus trying to comfort her. "What's going on?" he asked puzzled. "The Slayer and her watcher are trying to break up our happy home," she whined. "What?" Spike acted as if he misunderstood. "The mean watcher is going to restore Angel's soul." "Not if I can help it," Angelus declared angrily, and left the factory in a blur of motion. "Where were you my Spike?" Drusilla questioned him. "I went for a bite, love. Don't worry about it, I'm here now." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Giles!" Buffy yelled, when she burst into the library with the others trailing behind her. "Look what I got." Giles came out of his office looking at her tiredly. "What do you have?" he asked. Buffy held up the orb for him to see. "This," she replied in short. Giles gasped. "The Orb of Thesulah. Wh-where di..did you get it?" he inquired while taking the orb from her hands and looking it over. "Spike." "What!?" he asked in disbelief. "Spike made a deal with Buffy," Willow began to explain. "If she got Angelus out of his way, he would get us the orb, and that's what he did." Giles just shook his head. "A Slayer bargaining with a vampire, it's unprecedented." "Don't worry about that, we have the orb, now what?" Xander interrupted. "Well...um, we need to cast Angel's soul into it, and then get Angelus here to transfer it," Giles stated. He took of his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose tiredly. "I can deal with the Angelus issue, but who's going to perform the ritual?" Buffy offered. "I have casted spells before, I'm sure I can handle it," Giles reminded them. "When?" Oz queried. "Tonight, as soon as possible," Giles stated. "He probably found out already, he did the first time..." "And he'll come after us," Buffy finished. Giles nodded his head solemnly. "So we wait," Willow guessed. "Yes, but let's get his soul into the orb for now, we must be ready." "Okay, I'll get the printouts," Willow offered. "Very good," Giles agreed. When Willow returned with the ritual, Giles took the papers from her and began. He held the orb out at arms length in front of him, and called upon Angel's soul with a few words. The orb began to light up with a orange and white glow. At first dimly, but it began to glow brighter as Giles finished the incantation. And as the others looked on in astonish- ment the orb took on a steady rythm. The glowing pulsed in time with everyone's heart beat. "He's in there?" Buffy asked quietly. "Angel's inside this?" she asked again, as she stared at the orb in fascination. Giles nodded his head in confirmation. "Can I hold it?" "Okay, but be careful," he ordered, while he gently laid it in her hand. "If it breaks, we're in trouble, not to mention Angel as well." A gasp elicited from Buffy's mouth as he laid the orb in her hand. A small feeling of peace came over her, as the warm essence inside the orb engulfed her. She could feel him. "I can feel him Giles," she informed him, as tears welled in her eyes. "I'm sure he can feel you as well," he assured her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ To be continued........ To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Anexsin Subject: BUFFYFIC: The Things We Do For Love (5/5) Date: 17 Apr 1998 00:15:49 EDT TITLE: The Things We Do For Love (5/5) AUTHOR: Melinda Frango EMAIL ADDY: Anexsin@aol.com DISTRIBUTION: Please, ask first. FEEDBACK: Greatly appreciated. RATING: PG, for the usual Buffy language. SPOILER: All episodes have happened, but major spoilers for "Passion" DISCLAIMER: Anything that has to do with the Buffyverse in anyway, belongs to Joss Whedon, WB, etc. Only the story is mine. SUMMARY: The gang restore Angel's soul, aided by the yellow disk. AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know I already wrote a story in which Angel gets his soul back, but this one is a direct sequel to my other two stories "Moments of Truth" and "Unexpected Confrontation" and is in no way related to my other one. This one takes place immediately afterwards, so if you didn't read those two, you wil be confused with this one. If you want to read them, email me privately and I'll send them to you. Oh, and this * represents thoughts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Angel silently made his way to the grave yard and searched out a particular headstone. He kneeled down in front of it and placed a bouquet of flowers he picked up from a florist on the way at the base of it. The name Jennifer Calender was etched into the slab of stone. "Well, they did it, Jenny. I'm back in my body, and not feeling to elated about it," he whispered. "Why not?" a voice asked, as the shimmering image of Ms. Calendar appeared sitting on top of her tombstone. He sighed and looked at her. "It hurts inside," he answered shortly. "I think I'm going to leave Sunnydale," he stated. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hidden behind a tree not far away from Angel and the translucent image of Ms.Calendar, Buffy and the Slayerettes watched the exchange with growing interest. "Look at that," Willow whispered. "It's amazing." "Why's he talking to her?" Cordelia questioned. "Shh, I'm trying to listen," Buffy ordered. "He better not even think about leaving." "I won't stop him," Xander muttered. He shrank back and shut up quickly when he got a glare from Buffy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "You know running away won't solve your problems," the apparition told him. Angel was now on his feet pacing in front of her. "I know it won't, but is seems like the best course of action at the moment. All I keep seeing is flashbacks of the past few weeks. The fear in their eyes, the hatred...." "You made a mistake, just like I did," she explained. "I didn't make a mistake though," he reminded. "I let my emotions cloud my judgement, and that cost me my soul." "You didn't know what would happen," she offered. "I guess, but....." "Angel, do you really think that if they despised and hated you they would've returned you to your body?" When he didn't answer her she continued. "That's what I thought. You are their friend, you never would've done anything that the demon did." "But it was my hands, my voice, my body, that hurt them, that killed you!" he shouted. "It was just the body, not the soul. The demon manipulated your body to cause harm, there was nothing you could do. You know you weren't in the body with him or you would've put a stop to things long ago," Jenny inferred. "Why can't you accept the fact that we don't hate you?" a new voice rang out. Both Jenny and Angel whirled their heads around to see Buffy, Willow, Xander, Cordelia, and Oz strolling towards them from one end of the cemetary and Giles from the other. He was carrying flowers as well, which clearly indicated that he intended on visiting Jenny's grave, and was not expecting to see what he saw. "Hello, Rupert," Jenny greeted smiling. "Jenny," he whispered. "What are you doing here?" Angel inquired of Buffy and her friends. "I told you I needed to be alone." "It doesn't look like you're alone, besides it was Xander's idea," Buffy replied. "Buffy," Xander hissed, but she ignored him. "I just needed some advice," he added quietly. "Well here's some advice from me. Don't you even think about leaving Sunnydale," she warned, in one of those tones that dared him to defy her. "I just got you back, and I'll be damned if I lose you again." Angel closed his eyes tightly and whispered, "it's not that easy, Buffy." "We'll make it that easy," she replied firmly. "I know it wasn't you, you proved that when you visited us the other day." Giles and Jenny silently watched as Buffy tried to convince Angel that the demons transgressions weren't his, until Jenny spoke up again. "You know she's right, Angel. You need to move past this. Your soul won't be taking any more vacations, so...you better get used to it," she added. "Your not helping," he informed her. "Angel, please. We can work through this," Buffy pleaded with him. He stared at her for a long moment, and then nodded his head. Buffy gave him one of her beautiful smiles and jumped into his arms hugging him to her. His arms immediately encircled her out of instinct and he hugged her back. Jenny smiled victoriously and hopped off the gravestone. "Well, it looks like my work here is done," she informed them. She turned toward Giles and smiled warmly. "Goodbye, Rupert. And thank you," she whispered before fading out of view. "Goodbye, Jenny," he whispered in return, then he gently laid the flowers at the base of the grave with the rest, and followed the others out of the cemetary. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "So how are you feeling?" Buffy questioned Angel, as she sat in his apartment. "I guess I'm doing alright," he answered. "I have something for you," she added, as she handed his journal back to him. He took it from her hand and looked back up at her. "Did you read it?" he asked. "Every page." "And..." he prodded gently. "And, I realized that I loved you even more, if that's possible. When you came to the library yesterday, it put everything into perspective," she explained. "I then knew that you were entirely separate from your body, and it made things a little easier..." "To kill me," he finished for her. "No, to kill him. Angel you're not him, and I didn't stop loving you because some demon ran around in your body and tried to kill me," she corrected him. "Buffy, the demon is a part of me, it has been for over two hundred years, so when you refer to him I feel like you're referring to me as well." "I understand your viewpoint, but that's not how I feel." "How do you feel?" "When you left I-I...felt empty and alone. I cried myself to sleep almost every night, and I kept asking myself, why? Why were you taken from me, and I could never find an answer. Then when Giles told me that we could bring you back...that emptiness began to fill up with hope," she stopped and looked down towards the floor. "When I came to you yesterday and you started crying because I couldn't hold you, I felt that same emptiness. I would've given anything in that moment to hold you again, to tell you how sorry I was...to tell you how much I missed you...." Before Angel could finish his sentence Buffy bore upon him and covered his lips with her own. Surprise couldn't explain what he was feeling at the moment, so when she released his lips he just plain stared at her. "Wh-what was that for?" he asked, absently touching his lips. "I wanted to do that for the longest time," she smiled, and sniffled back tears. "I missed you so much." Angel grabbed her around the waist and drew her towards him. "I missed you too," he whispered into her hair, as he tightened his arms around her instinctively. She wrapped her arms around his neck and layed her head against his chest. "Promise me that you won't leave me again," she pleaded. "I'll never leave you, Buffy. I'll always be with you." The End To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Aurelia Destiny" Subject: BUFFYFIC: [Buffyfic] New Fanfiction Message Board for all Date: 17 Apr 1998 05:40:17 PDT Hi everyone, I briefly posted 2 Chapters of a Buffy story of mine called 'Cloaked in Darkness' then my A:\ stuffed and all my story is on disk so I couldn't post anymore. It STILL isn't fixed yet and so I thought I'd start a Fanfiction Message Board for all those lovers of Fanfiction. It an 'anything goes' Fanficion Board, so you can post Buffy, Sailor Moon, American Gotic, labyrinth or just anything you may have written about some show or movie! Please visit! http://www.insidetheweb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi/mb65933 Love, Aurelia AKA Princess Destiny ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: tabbylink@patrol.i-way.co.uk Subject: RE: BUFFYFIC: "The Cure" (7/14) Date: 17 Apr 1998 15:42:36 Could I please have parts 4,5, and 6. Somehow I never got them. Thanks. Betzi To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: tabbylink@patrol.i-way.co.uk Subject: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: my error Date: 17 Apr 1998 19:32:11 I'm *very* sorry my message to Sarah Douglas went to the list. If I had a brain and knew how to use my mailer properly... sorry everyone, this was *not* supposed to have happened. Betzi To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: JessTear Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: "The Cure" (7/14) Date: 17 Apr 1998 15:11:57 EDT would it be possible for me to get parts 1-7... I just got on the list, a= nd I=0Adon't wanna miss any potentially great stories.... thanks ^-^ Jess ^-^ potential Keeper of a few things "=86o become a \/ampire, =86hey have =86o suck your blood... =86hen you have =86o suck =86heirs. I=86's like a whole big sucking =86hi= ng"=0A To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Lost & Found (7/13) Date: 17 Apr 1998 16:24:52 EDT Lost & Found 6 Title: Lost & Found (6/?) Author: Michelle E-mail: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG-13 = violence and graphic descriptions (no sex) Summary: Series after Vengeance - Buffy, Xander, Willow & Giles are all vampires. Drusilla is making Buffy pay for supposedly killing Spike. Previous Stories: If you like this story but don't understand it, it's probally because you haven't read Vengeance. That came before this one and this is a continuation of it. You can find it as well as all my other stories at: http://members.aol.com/aglx/buffywrittings.html Distribution: I'll say yes, but ask. Spoilers: Everything up to Killed By Death (just to be safe) Feedback: Please, good or bad, I need to know. The more feedback, the more writting I do! I won't care if you tell me this story is horrible, I just want to know. This story is something that happens after Killed By Death. Probally a Third season type story. This story has some pretty graphic descriptions and some people may be upset by the story. There is a PG-13 rating on this story however, there is no sex or sexual situations. Just some Buffy like language and violence. This story will go on for a while, or until I come up with a way to end it. The characters, Buffy, Xander, Willow, etc. belong to Joss Whedon, The WB, Sandollar, etc. ************ "Are we where I think we are?" Angel's voice quivered with fear. "Yeah...we are," Spike said softly. Spike struggled with his chains, trying to break free. "That's good Spike. You keep doing that." "You got any better ideas?" Spike yelled in a deep voice. He couldn't forget the look in her eyes. The pain. The anger. Spike let out a cry of pain as he gave up at his attempts. "What were you doing with Buffy?" Spike turned his head to face Angel but refused to answer. Nothing but silence for what seemed like an eternity. Spike turned his head away from Angel and sighed. "I was trying to get Dru back." "By doing what? Pretending to be dead?" "I left to find a cure. Buffy was trying to help me restore your soul so that I could have Dru and she could have you." "That Buffy never did give up on me." Angel chuckled but then stopped because of the pain it caused him. "If it wasn't for Dru trying to teach her a lesson, things would have worked out just fine," Spike said as he dropped his head again. Thoughts of Drusilla flooded his mind. Her hair, her smile, everything about her. She was all he wanted, and he was willing to do anything to have her. The door swung open and Willow walked in carrying two goblets filled with blood. "Drink. You two need your strength." She pressed a glass to Spike's lips and finished it off in seconds. Willow did the same for Angel and he drank it quickly as well. They both were painfully exhausted from their fight and desperately needed nourishment. Willow took the empty glasses and left laughing under her breath. Again, silence filled the room for a brief moment. "I've got nothing but bad memories from this place," Spike said as he searched the room for an escape. "Funny, I've got nothing but good memories from here. Especially with Dru." A smile came over Angel's face for he always enjoyed messing with Spike's head. "You son of a bitch!" Spike could feel life coming into his body with every word of anger he spoke. "Dru is mine. She will never be yours." Spike couldn't hold back anymore. He had so much rage inside of him. "We'll see about that once your out of the picture." "What? You think you can kill me?" "Yes, I know I can." "If I weren't chained up right now, I'd beat you into a bloody pulp." Spike's voice grew deeper as he let his demonic face show. "Oh yeah, you mean like earlier tonight?" Angel was enjoying himself a bit too much. "If I remember correctly, it was your girlfriend who ruined it for the both of us." Spike slammed his body against the wall out of frustration. "Buffy, she is going to pay for this one." End Part 7 SEND FEEDBACK!!!!!!!!!!!! To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Lost & Found (8/13) Date: 17 Apr 1998 16:36:18 EDT Lost & Found 8 Title: Lost & Found (8/13) Author: Michelle E-mail: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG-13 = violence and graphic descriptions (no sex) Summary: Series after Vengeance - Buffy, Xander, Willow & Giles are all vampires. Drusilla is making Buffy pay for supposedly killing Spike. Previous Stories: If you like this story but don't understand it, it's probally because you haven't read Vengeance. That came before this one and this is a continuation of it. You can find it as well as all my other stories at: http://members.aol.com/aglx/buffywrittings.html Distribution: I'll say yes, but ask. Spoilers: Everything up to Killed By Death (just to be safe) Feedback: Please, good or bad, I need to know. The more feedback, the more writting I do! I won't care if you tell me this story is horrible, I just want to know. This story is something that happens after Killed By Death. Probally a Third season type story. This story has some pretty graphic descriptions and some people may be upset by the story. There is a PG-13 rating on this story however, there is no sex or sexual situations. Just some Buffy like language and violence. This story will go on for a while, or until I come up with a way to end it. The characters, Buffy, Xander, Willow, etc. belong to Joss Whedon, The WB, Sandollar, etc. ************ She found herself standing outside the large villa thinking, waiting. Buffy refused to move for fear of what lurk inside the large building. She had heard rumors of that place but Drusilla never let her go there. That was one thing Buffy was thankful for. 'I really should let Drusilla have her way with them. But that wouldn't be any fun for me.' "Ahh!" Buffy startled herself with her own words. "Oh well, I've been meaning to have a little chat with Drusilla anyway." Buffy sensed the warmth of the sun coming over the horizon. "Oh no!" She was so preoccupied with finding Dru that she didn't even bother to notice the time. Buffy found her way to a small house where she took refuge in the attic. Boxes filled the low roofed room. Buffy found a blanket in one of them and spread it on the floor hidden from the sun. So many thoughts, so much confusion. Her memories of her time as the slayer constantly plagued her evil mind. "Don't. Let me go. I'll run away and you'll never see me again." Buffy sensed fear in his voice for the first time ever. "You don't deserve to live." Buffy cautiously held the spike in her hands pointing it direct at his heart. "Maybe your right. But if you kill me, you'll never get Angel back. I have a cure." After a few moments of consideration Buffy plunged the spike into his stomach. He screamed out in pain. Buffy got off of him as he lay on his back groaning. "I'll bring Angel to you. Meet me in Vienna." She left the room with a smile. Spike remained on the floor, not dead, but in extreme pain. He knew the spike couldn't kill him, but the pain was more than enough to make him wish it could. Placing his hands on the spike, he lifted it out of his gut. Spike curled into a ball hoping the pain would just go away. ***** "Don't, please don't!" Xander stood between Drusilla and Willow pleading for their lives. "Okay. I won't," Drusilla said as she grabbed Xander by the throat. "To her." She pulled him in closer, keeping a tight hold on him. Her lips danced across his neck as he closed his eyes, knowing what was to come. She sunk her teeth into his neck and in seconds his life began to fade away. His feeble body fell to the ground. Willow watched from behind a large rock, horrified. Her screams fill the quiet night. "Oh, shut-up," Drusilla said as she indicated for two vampires to take her away. "Dru, leave her alone!" A dark figure approached Drusilla from behind with a stake in her hand. "Buffy! So glad you could make it." Drusilla turned to face her accouter with a overly large grin on her face. "Oh, but your late for the party." Buffy looked down and saw Xander's body lying on the cold ground. Fear ignited the fire in her heart as she lunged at Drusilla. A hand was raised that struck Buffy directly in the face sending her flying backward into the field. "Don't do that. You'll get hurt you know." Buffy rose feeling the blood flow down her face. Drusilla raised her hand again, throwing a knife out at Buffy's leg, cutting a deep wound into it. Buffy dropped to the ground and pulled the knife out. Drusilla walked towards Buffy eagerly awaiting their fight. "Get up. I'm not done with you yet!" Buffy got to her feet limping on the leg that was wounded. "That looks bad," Drusilla said as she shot out her left hand and scratched Buffy's across the face. She had no more strength but kept going. Buffy got in a few punches to Drusilla's face but she was hardly phased by any of them. Drusilla took a final hit to Buffy's stomach and she collapsed to the ground. She lay silently on the ground as Drusilla stood above her. "Looks like she's done," Drusilla said looking back at some of the other vampires. Suddenly, Buffy threw her feet up into the air, connecting solidly with Drusilla's chin. She scrambled to her feet and ran off into to the wooded area that surrounded them. "Why do they always run? Like I'm really not going to catch up with them?" Drusilla followed after Buffy into the woods. Branches tried to block her way, scratching her body and face as she went. For the first time in her life, she was running from trouble instead of to stop it. Buffy looked back to find Drusilla but couldn't. She kept running as fast as she could, hoping to make it to the street. Buffy awoke with a start. The sun was beginning to go down and it was almost time for her to face Drusilla again. Buffy shook herself out of her thoughts to focus on what she had to do. She had to fight Drusilla to the death. End Part 8 SEND FEEDBACK (yes, I'm yelling, sorry, but I need encouragement.) To subscribe to buffyfic or buffyfic-digest, send the command subscribe buffyfic-digest or subscribe buffyfic to majordomo@xmission.com. You will need to go through a confirmation process, and the listowners have to manually approve your subscription request, so it may take some time. Back issues of this digest can be found at: ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/lists/buffyfic/archive/ Dalton Spence has also provided an index of the buffyfic archive at: http://www.hwcn.org/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM For help, contact Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) or sah (romana@mindspring.com) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: sah Subject: BUFFYFIC: ADMIN: List rules Date: 17 Apr 1998 17:36:51 -0400 (EDT) Welcome! This list is for fiction related to "Buffy The Vampire Slayer," both the TV series and the movie. To ensure that we all get to enjoy as much fiction as possible, please adhere to the following guidelines, and please save them for future reference. 1. Fiction should have Buffy characters in it and clearly be related to Buffy. Crossovers are great, and expected, but general vampire/monster stories that aren't in the Buffy universe and don't use Buffy characters belong somewhere else. 2. Discussion of posted fiction is permitted onlist. Please put "DISCUSS" in your subject line. Requests for missing story parts should go directly to the author, and not be posted to the list. Discussion that is not related directly to the fiction should go over to the general Buffy list. Discussion of fiction is expected to follow common netiquette guidelines and use PG-13 language. 3. No advertising of items or services, Buffy related or not, and no posting of non-story items such as .gifs, sound files, etc.. No attached files of kind-- if your mailer makes your fiction into attached files, you need to find another way to get it to the list. 4. If you're writing a story and including advance information on a new episode, and you're posting your story earlier than the national viewing time, please: **Mark the post as a "spoiler" in the subject header. **Leave about twelve lines (blank or with non-spoiler info) at the top of the post. 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By subscribing and/or posting to this list, you acknowledge that Buffy the Vampire slayer and all characters associated with either the televised series or the motion picture were created by Josh Whedon and are owned by Mutant Enemy productions, Kuzui Productions, Sandollar Productions, and 20th Century Fox. All stories posted to this list are for entertainment purposes only, are not sold for profit of any kind, and are not intended to infringe on any copyrights. 7. When posting stories to the list, please follow the following formatting guidelines --No story parts longer than 250 lines --No lines longer than 75 characters --Turn off your "smart quotes"-- many readers receive these as garbage or weird symbols --Put the title of the story in the subject header, indicate if it's a multipart story, and if so what part this is. Example: Buffy Meets Godzilla (2/65) indicates that this post is part two of a 65 part story. 8. 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If you have any questions about these rules, please contact either one of us offlist. If you have subscription problems or questions, the fastest way to get help is to e-mail one of us at the addresses below, at the kirby@xmission.com addy which is the "official" e-mail owner of the list. Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) & sah (romana@mindspring.com) Listowners, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Fiction List buffyfic@xmission.com -- sah * romana@mindspring.com * romana@aol.com NatPack * BotCoS * Jungle Patrol * BBPGrrl:TGLIL * Bishop * BTVS Listowner Nat's B&B: http://free.prohosting.com/~romana/natpack/html My homepage: http://free.prohosting.com/~romana/index.html "In front of me, facing me and the bank of journalists, was the Senate Judiciary Committee: Fourteen white men in dark grey suits." Anita Hill ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: A Stroke of Luck (part 1) Date: 17 Apr 1998 17:59:42 -0700 Well's here's my very first Buffy fic... I hope you all like it! I'd love feedback.. there are some evil scenes.. most are towards the begining and towards the end. I'm not sure how many parts there will be yet though.. Sorry :( Anyways, here goes :) Takes place after Lie To Me, I don't own Buffy an CO. you know that silly! The Lyrics are by Garbage and are inside of ~ tildes ~ I don't own any of Garbage's much or nothing either (you know that too!) No copyright infringement is intended **** A Stroke of Luck (part 1) She walked around the side of the large tree glad to see a man sitting down reading a book, a smile crossed her lips as she swayed there in the wind. "What are you reading?" The man clearly startled nearly jumped out of his skin. Drusilla cocked her head to the side, curiously. "umm.. it's uhh... uhh..." the man stuttered. Dru frowned. "hmm?" "Buffy?-- " Giles began to speak again, but was interrupted... "My tummy's growly." Dru pouted "An' he's left me all alone... Come an' play" She asked playfully. Such a dangerous demon, in such a young mind... Her head flickered with visions. Seeing the slayer, Spike, a Stake and then a girl--. Dru whimpered, unable to follow it. And grasped the side of her head when blackness filled her mind, And a picture of a girl all in red came clearly into view. When she finally broke out of her revere she was face to face with one teenage slayer. Dru smiled coyly. " 'ave you come out to play?" she asked hopefully. "Do you like tea?" Buffy grasped the stake in her hand tight, "You shouldn't be here" Buffy began, giving Dru her chance. "Where's Spike" Drusilla whimpered like a small puppy and bent forward, as though in pain. "He's gone all away, in my head, to her..." She cried. Buffy didn't seem amused. But none-the-less was worried. She wasn't sure what Drusilla was saying but she did know Spike would never leave her alone. Especially with a slayer around. When Dru looked up her face wrenched, and twisted... Buffy clenched her stake Spike rounded the corner to the park, totally lost in his thoughts. In fact, only when Dru cried out did he notice her. She was standing there looking in his direction, but it seemed very obvious to him, she saw no-one there. There was a blonde girl in front of her. Spike begged for a brief minute that it wasn't the slayer... "Spike!" Dru called out giddy to see that he had come for her. The girl turned around... Buffy turned around, Spike cursed his luck. He walked slowly towards them. The last thing Spike needed was to startle the slayer when she was so close to Drusilla. Buffy groaned inwardly hating this situation just as much as Spike did. "Spike!" Dru yelled again, when he didn't say anything, and she began to guess something wrong. She started to go to him, when she felt the end of a stake near her chest. She hissed at Buffy, the stake making her ill at ease - flashes of darkness again flooded her mind... Buffy never even knew, Drusilla hissed threateningly, her face all distorted.. How was Buffy to know she meant no harm? She plunged the stake into Drusilla, seeing her as a threat. And stepped outta the way "Spike?" Dru asked meekly Spike heart collapsed and shattered into a million pieces. Dru began to fall, he ran to her as fast as he could. And when he was to catch her in his arms and hold her, to long for the stake to disappear. She shattered. Her whole life, just like his heart, was nothing more than dust... ((SORRY DRU FANS! REALLY I AM!)) -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html 'We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure (Wish) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: A Stroke of Luck (part 3) Date: 17 Apr 1998 18:01:24 -0700 For disclaimers see part 1 A Stroke of Luck (part 3) ~ Did you know I was lost until you found me? ~ Willow had begun walking home around 11:00...which in all fairness, *was* a bad time to be out alone at night, especially in Sunnydale. But Buffy and Giles had went off hunting, and Xander had gone home long before. She had stayed, to help research until it had gotten late, and she had gotten tired... It was really getting cold Willow thought as she wrapped her arms around her waist and continued on her way...she heard a snap. Like a twig. She turned around with so fast she felt all dizzy. Stake in hand, she looked closely in the darkness, searching for movement of any kind. But of course.... there was nothing there... She continued to peer into the night until she was positive that she was the only one around. Willow smile and turned round again - walking right into Spikes arms. He very easily knocked the stake right out of her hands, and grabbed her, not violently so, he was done with violence for the night. Nevertheless Spike, was *not* in the mood to pass up a chance to hurt Buffy. Willow immediately began to kick squirm and punch as hard as she could to get free, What else would any sane person do, when thrust into the hands of their enemy? But, it was no use. Spikes grasp on her was stronger than steel.... He waited patiently for her to give up, terribly annoyed at the intensity she had, wishing she'd just relax. Which of course she did, after a while at least. Nearly falling hopelessly to the ground, ever the gentleman Spike caught her pulling on her waist and got her standing again. Panting, sighing, and seriously scared, Willow looked up into the eyes of her enemy. It wasn't what she had been expecting... ~ A stroke of luck or a gift from God? ~ He looked so incredibly sad, Spike! She thought in her head! Spike looks, sad? She began to wonder, what could make such an evil villain so said. ~ The hand of fate or devil's claws? ~ Spike saw the emotion in her eyes, it wasn't hard to miss, it must have reflected off his own, gee, guess she'd been left outta the news loop. The affection in her eyes sickened him.. Spike twisted his face to that of a demons and snarled at her, so close, there noses almost touching. Willow fainted Spike rolled his eyes, and picked up her feet to carry her. He hadn't really meant to scare her that badly. He'd just as soon have her crying. But this would be easier he supposed. Wouldn't have to listen to her beg for her life...Though sometimes, that's the best part... He sighed, what was he gonna do with the little slayers friend now? -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html 'We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure (Wish) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: A Stroke of Luck (part 2) Date: 17 Apr 1998 18:00:51 -0700 For disclaimers see part 1 A Stroke of Luck (part 2) ~ Hanging by threads of palest silver ~ ~ I could have stayed that way forever ~ It was like a dream... Freeze frame in time, looking into Drusilla's face... And when he got up, she was there... not Dru of course. But the source of all this pain. Buffy found herself backing away slightly, the intense look in his eyes made her shiver. He jumped right in front of her, and succeeded in striking her straight across the face, sending Buffy staggering back, she hadn't even realized how close he was. When he went to attack her again though, she'd been ready, catching his hand in mid air, and nearly flipping him over. The fight continued for some time, when Buffy finally found herself panting for breathe. Spike's resistance wore thin and his game of aggression soon left him one beat up Spike and exhausted slayer. It grew dull now. Grabbing *the* stake off the ground, he wondered if maybe the slayer could turn to dust like his love... With a low growl, deep in his throat he attacked her again, managing to kicked her off guard, and landing hard with a loud thud, she went to stand up again, but with a foot on her chest Spike shoved her back down. He stood over her, wishing her a happy death, when Giles tackled him down the ground. "Now this" Spike stood over the Liberian "Is becoming an annoying coincidence" Buffy got up to attack him but it was too late as Spike shoved the stake into the watchers chest ~ Bad blood and ghosts wrapped tight around me ~ ~ Nothing could ever seem to touch me ~ Spike looked down at the look on the slayers face. He found her distraught very satisfying. Buffy looked up, her eyes threatening to tear him to shreds. With a smile he began to walk away. Though he listened to her behind him, crying over the watchers dying body. Telling him it would be alright. He wanted to go back... He wanted to kill her... But he was so tired. The night's events had worn him out, and he knew that she felt the same... So he kept walking, his head so full of many things, things he'd learned, things he'd dreamed, things he'd felt, things he hadn't... ~ I lose what I love most ~ His thoughts went to Angelus... He should tell him... No, Angelus would find out, the slayer would tell him, she would run to him, and cry... Would he care the Drusilla was gone? Would he morn her lose? Or cheer? Would he fear for his new lovers life? Or for the Dying watcher? He found that he hardly cared.... -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html 'We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure (Wish) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: uzenet@videotron.ca Subject: BUFFYFIC: Broken Bonds (Part 2) Date: 18 Apr 1998 12:15:55 -0400 Title: Broken Bonds (Part 2) Author: Northlight e-mail: uzenet@videotron.ca Summary: Giles dissapears and bad things start to happen. Note: Thanks to all who helped. Disclaimer: They aren't mine. Buffy twisted around under her tangled sheets, her sweat slicked face terrified. She was dreaming, and a Slayer's dreams were rarely pleasant. Tonight was no exception. Fire consumed her mind, reaching out towards Willow, Xander and Angel as they cried out for her to save them. The scene shifted, as vampires surged forward, moving towards her in an unstoppable force 'so many of them...'. The fire flared, burning brighter only to die away leaving Buffy looking into the empty eyes of her Watcher's broken, lifeless body. And still it continued, the fire raging through her mind leaving a trail of death and destruction that Buffy found herself powerless to prevent. Finally, mercifully, Buffy woke, a scream catching in her throat. 'Oh man that was definitely not pleasant,' Buffy thought as she wearily crawled out of her bed, her stomach roiling in nausea at the dream images burned into her mind. She moved towards the window on trembling legs, her shaking hand resting on the cool glass as she peered out into the night. 'I don't know what's happening, but something's wrong. Very wrong.' Buffy shuddered slightly, her lips pulling into a humourless smile. 'Talk about an understatement. I think that I'd better talk to Giles about this one. He'd probably have a fit if he ever found out that I didn't tell him about this'. The thought of sharing some of her worry with her Watcher calmed some of Buffy's fear. She was still uneasy, still wary, but no longer terrified. It was a childish thought, but it soothed her nonetheless. 'Giles will take care of everything.' ************** The next morning, the moment Buffy arrived at school she automatically headed for the library in search for Giles. Since she had reached the decision to tell him of her dreams, Buffy was eager to do so. She wanted him to listen to her worries and tell her that her dreams weren't of an unalterable future. She could tell herself that of course, but it would just sound better coming from someone who sounded as if they meant it. She reached the library and pushed at the doors. They didn't budge. 'What the--?! Locked?' Buffy glared at the door suspiciously. Giles never locked the door. In fact, she hadn't even known that they did lock. "Giles?" Buffy called out, peering through the door windows. "Giles? It's Buffy... Buffy Summers," she elaborated in case anyone should happen to see her pounding at the closed library doors 'as if that would ever happen.' "C'mon Giles, open up!" Buffy cried out again. She was worried. Strange enough that the door wasn't opening, and now Giles wasn't answering her call. Buffy was seriously tempted to use her Slayer's strength to force the door open. 'This isn't right!' Buffy was about to start of fresh volley of pounding when the door swung open. She aborted the striking movement of her hand and stared up at the man at the door in shock. The man was shorter than Giles, and husky. He had thick black hair and a close cropped beard. His eyes were dark and unreadable, and that made Buffy want to step back in unease. It wasn't Giles. That in itself was enough to make wariness flash through Buffy. The library was Giles', nobody else's. "Where's Giles?" Buffy demanded, her voice unintentionally threatening. Realizing that her tone wasn't exactly friendly, or appropriate, she consciously moderated it. "I need to speak to him." The man blinked slowly, surveying her with considering eyes. "Come in," he said, moving from the door and gesturing for her to enter. Buffy followed him in, her highly honed Slayer's instincts screaming at her. The man who had moved in on Giles' territory moved towards the desk, where Buffy and her friends had spent so many hours pouring through Giles' beloved books, and motioned for her to sit. Buffy remained standing. It felt strange, seeing someone else in Giles' library. The room with all its books was so much a part of her Watcher that being in here with someone else almost felt like an invasion of privacy. 'This isn't right.' "Buffy Summers?" the man asked. Buffy ignored his question. "Who are you? Where's Giles?" The man looked at her with cold eyes, annoyed that she had ignored him. But he answered her nonetheless. "My name in Nathaniel Tyler, Buffy. I am the new librarian... and your new Watcher." End Part 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: A stroke of Luck (part 4) Date: 18 Apr 1998 11:29:02 -0700 For disclaimers see part 1 A Stroke of Luck (part 4) For disclaimers see part 1 When Willow awoke she was chained to a wall. Looking around at her surroundings, she couldn't help but roll her eyes. The walls were made of dark brick, the only light was made by a large candle in the corner. It reminded her of the classic vampire horror, the very cheesy kind... Willow sighed, the tip if her toes barely touched the ground, the chains were up so high. Head pounding, she tried to move her aching muscles, with not much luck. She couldn't believe it! Had she really been captured by Spike? Or was it all a delusion? It couldn't get worse... she had to look for a way out.... ~~~ Spike laid on the bed, her bed. His mind soared all over the place. From Drusilla, to Angelus. He thought of the Slayer, and remembered the last moment he had shared with Drusilla, right before she's shattered. He remembered the last day, he had shared with Drusilla... Every last stupid detail seemed so important.. He thought about Prague... When he thought he might actually lose his Dru... It seems terribly unreal. And every now and again, he'd feel that Dru would come through the door, wanting to play, wanting to dance, wanting to cuddle, anything... Spike could feel the sun begin to rise, and remembered he hadn't drawn the curtains in the room... He actually thought for a minute about this, if he should bother to get up.. to shut away the light... but as the suns rays came approaching, he began to feel ill at ease. Getting up he shut out the sun. He would make her pay. He promised himself, and he promised Dru, she wouldn't get away with this.... ~~~ Willows eyes jerked open as the candle went out. She cursed her luck, defiantly not wanting to be chained up in the dark! She groaned in pain suddenly, having no idea how long she had been down here, and her arms felt like they were seriously gonna fall off, she felt feint, from lack of food. and some sun wouldn't hurt either. She began to wonder where Spike and Drusilla were. Had they just left her down here to die? She shuddered at the thought, and began to fell dizzy again. She closed her eyes, with the pretense of resting them. But soon found herself in the only safe place she could think up at the moment. Her dreams... -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html 'We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure (Wish) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Janine Sebastian Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Mission" (1/?) Date: 18 Apr 1998 11:07:24 -0700 (PDT) TITLE: The Mission (1/?) AUTHOR: Jeanie the Tortoise-Fly [Janine Sebastian] E-MAIL: DISTRIBUTION: Ask and ye shall receive. SPOILERS: none really except a mention of Angelus so I guess it's after "Innocence", probably sometime after "Passion." DISCLAIMER: Willow and Xander etc. don't belong to me, actually none of the characters do. They're either from the show, and therefore belong to Joss and WB etc. or they are actual people who belong only to themselves. If this is being posted it means that Anya, Robyn, and Windrider have read this and have given me permission to mention them. If they don't give me permission, this won't be posted until it's changed...{what a novel thought!} When I'm done, I promise that all of the characters will be returned in one piece...even Windrider. AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, I was avoiding studying for finals [yes again], and I was quite shocked to see the mayhem that had occurred during my four day absence from the posting board, and I was thinking about the coming summer, so I wrote this. This is far form serious or typical of a buffyfic...Buffy isn't even in it...yet. It brings to light a real issue in real life...i.e. My dad is stalling and avoiding getting our house connected to the net. Enjoy...or don't...it's up to you. Feedback is muchly appreciated, and I will use any flame mail to warm up my room [the floor is 1ft underground, and surrounded by cement, so it's cold in here.] **************** Jeanie stood in front of a large suburban house, and glanced back at the crumpled piece of paper in her hand. Yes this was the right address... It had taken a crate of Macaroons and a vast amount of Rye and Coke to get the address from Anya, even after explaining how important it was that she contact this person. Anya of course, had mentioned SOFA and FAA a few times, but eventually she realized how important this was to Jeanie, and Anya was very protective and understanding of the members of her animal heirarchy. It had taken many references to the Sprite and Oreo factories she had already given Robyn the Snowshoe Hare, and a written and signed promise not to kill Windrider unless he became soulless, to convince Robyn to lend Jeanie her Sliders-like gateway to the Hellmouth. Making sure she arrived during daylight hours, Jeanie had landed in Sunnydale with only her mission in mind. Jeanie took a deep breath, walked up to the house, rang the bell and muttered "God I hope this works." A sixteen year old redhead cautiously answered the door. [In Sunnydale, even in daylight, you never knew who was going to appear on your doorstep.] "Hello, how can I help you?" "Hi. Willow?" Jeanie asked careful not to sound too desperate right away. "I would be she. And you are?" "Um, my name's Janine. Janine Sebastian. But you probably know me as Jeanie?" "Jeanie...?" Afraid of the reaction she knew she was about to get, Jeanie took a step backwards before answering. "...Jeanie the Tortoise-Fly." The expression on Willows face went from caution, to confusion, to sudden recognition, and then to pure anger. "*You*!! ARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!! You're one of *them* aren't you?!?! You're the one that started the Kendra thread on the posting board. The one that had so many posts it scrolled right off the screen! Do you know the HELL that I went through trying to calm Spike and Angelus down after that?!?! Not to mention Buffy..." Willow had to pause to take a breath. Jeanie took this as an opportunity to interrupt the young hacker's outburst. "Um, Willow? Yes, I admit I started that thread, and I contributed to the vast black hole as you scroll down the screen, and I'm really sorry, but I did try to realign the thread by restarting it a few times...And Robyn and I tried to take it to e-mail to avoid making the hole worse...Besides I *really* need your help," Jeanie begged. "My help?!? After all you've put me through, you ask for my help? Come to think of it, how'd you know where I lived?" Jeanie could see that Willow was less than impressed, and that more bribes and written statements were probably going to be needed to get her mission accomplished. "Actually Anya gave me your address." "Anya, as in web-goddess Anya? Why would she tell *you* were I lived?" Willow was clearly not impressed. "What? Do you think She'd give me your address if it wasn't *really* important? ...Ohh, that reminds me, I brought you something..." Reluctantly, Jeanie handed the box of Mr. Christie's Arrowroot Biscuits that she was carrying, over to Willow. "I didn't even have *one.*" Willow looked at Jeanie and thought <> But then she remembered the talk of Jeanie's obsession with Arrowroot cookies, and realized that if Jeanie had displayed enough self-control to be able to give her a whole, untouched box of Arrowroots, she must be *very* desperate. "What's wrong? Did something happen to Anya? To the site? What is it?" "Anya's fine, so's the site. It's just that the school term ends next week and once it's over I don't know how I'm going to access my e-mail...or the archive...or most importantly the posting board..." Jeanie was making every effort not to burst into tears in front of her new acquaintance. "And we don't have net access at home, 'cause my dad is taking forever hooking us up...and I don't know what I'm going to do." Willow took this all in and wondered how *she* could get by without computer access. Not that she was addicted to the fanfic site...she was the only one of her friends who hadn't gone completely AWOL every time something went wrong with the site...But she realized that even she wouldn't be able to handle four months without net access. "What do you want *me* to do?" She asked hesitantly. "Well... I thought that maybe you could...kinda...perhaps..." The glare in Willow's eyes made Jeanie get to the point in a hurry. "I want you to come back with me and teach my dad how easy it is to get a household connected. He's been stalling for months, and if someone experienced with computers were to come and show him how to do it...well then he wouldn't have any excuse not to." Willow Stood there thinking about it for a minute until she finally gave in. "All right. But on one condition..." "*Anything* you name it." "I want you to promise to make a valid effort not to let your threads on the posting board scroll off of the screen." "I...I promise." *************** "Where're you goin'?" came a male voice from the end of the driveway. Xander Harris had been on his way over to Willow's when he noticed the girl with long brown hair and blue eyes talking to his friend. Never one to respect privacy, Xander had decided to come right up to the two girls who were just leaving Willow's yard. "Going?...We're not going anywhere. Were we going somewhere, Jeanie?..." Willow attempted to cover. Jeanie had described the Sliders-like gate to her and for once, Willow really didn't want Xander to tag along. Unfortunately Jeanie didn't realize this so she invited Xander to join them. "Actually we were planning on going to my house. Wanna come?" Xander's interest was immediately caught. "Come? Me? Of course I wanna come. Um, where exactly is your place?" "Well...I live in Surrey." "Surrey? Where's that?" Xander was expecting Jeanie to say she lived nearby, not in some place he hadn't even heard of. "It's in British Colombia isn't it?" Asked Willow. "British Colombia? Where's *that*?" Xander was obviously confused. "It's in Canada you twit. Really Xander...Sometimes I wonder about you..." Just then Jeanie instinctively checked the timer for the gate and pointed out to the two friends that it was going to open in about twenty seconds. They stopped bickering long enough to jump through the gate which took them to Jeanie's neighbourhood. The gate had been set to deposit them in Jeanie's back yard but somehow the location must have been set wrong because they didn't land in the middle of the yard. Willow landed in Jeanie's mom's row of strawberries, Jeanie landed on the roof of her old tree fort, and Xander landed with a graceless thud, in the compost heap. "Robyn! We're going to have a long talk about this!" Jeanie fumed. Fortunately the strawberries weren't ripe yet, so Willow didn't stain her clothes. Jeanie carefully climbed off the roof of the fort, onto the porch and then down to solid ground. She was lucky she hadn't landed two feet to her left, she had just missed the huge blackberry patch, which had major thornage all year round. Xander was the least fortunate of the three of them, the compost was rather dirty. Just before he sat up, he noticed Newton, the Sebastian's resident newt, crawling towards him. "Cool. Hi little guy...wait a minute...I'm talking to a miniture geko..." Xander shook his head, removed the banana peel from his left arm, and stood up. He then turned his attention to brushing off the remnants of the Sebastian's breakfast...an orange peel here, some coffee grinds there... "Everyone okay? Xander, you've got an eggshell on your back... Willow, you need help up?" After everyone was safely inside the house, Jeanie took Willow and Xander upstairs to meet her dad. Only her dad wasn't there. Jeanie let out an exasperated "Arrrrggghhh!" Of course her mom chose that exact moment to come onto the room. "Hi Neen. Who are your friends here?" "Ohh, hi mom. This is Willow...and this is Xander. Guys this is my mom, you can call her Ruth, all my friends do. Uh, mom? Where's dad?" ***************** ...To be continued?... Feedback? [I know it's bad, but I experienced a momentary writing inspiration. Sorry, 'bout that. I'll try to do better next time...if there is a next time...:-)] ***************** BENNY: I can't believe these people. We paid money to see this. PIKE: No, we didn't. BENNY: Oh, yeah. But I still want to know what happens. BUFFY: Everyone gets horribly killed except the blonde girl in the nightie, who finally kills the monster with a machete but it's not really dead. JENNIFER: Oh, my God. Is that true? BUFFY: Probably. What movie is this? -- Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the Movie _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC:The Watcher (5/?) Date: 18 Apr 1998 16:16:16 EDT The Watcher (5/?) by Jaclyn Amy TITLE: The Watcher AUTHOR: Jaclyn Amy@aol.com RATING: PG/PG-13 SUMMARY: This takes place four years later while the Buffy gang is attending Montague University near Sunnydale. Angel’s soul has been permanently restored, and he is 100% human. Jenny Calendar is still alive. Buffy will be getting a new Watcher. DISTRIBUTION: Ask me first. DISCLAIMER: I own none of the characters from or the movie or show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They were created by Joss Wheden and are owned by 20th Century Fox, Sandollar Television, Mutant Enemy, etc. No infringement intended. FEEDBACK: Please be nice; I’m still a newbie. "Willow, wait!" Buffy screamed. She quickly grabbed her robe and ran after her. //Oh, God, how could this have happened? I mean, Willow is my best friend, so why would I say that about her? I am such an idiot!// She found Willow downstairs, about to run out the door. "Will, don’t please." "Why would you say that about me? I’m your best friend. You’re supposed to have confidence in me, not insult me." "I’m sorry. I just had a bad dream and was worried. I was wrong and I appoligize for that." She took a deep breath. "But that’s not important right now. Willow, you know that dream I had of Drusilla killing Angel when I was almost 17? Well, I had the exact same dream again, only you were killed also by Drusilla. I, I think that it will come true. Drusilla being alive and murdering you and Angel." "Look, Buffy, what you said really hurt, and I don’t think I can forgive you. But what’s happening now is more important. I’ll try to figure out what it means. Go back to sleep." "But Will, you can’t just sit there hating me. I need you to forgive me." "What you said ruined the past five years of friendship. You should’ve had more faith in me. How are either of us supposed to do our jobs when we are angry at each other. Now, if you want to stay, stay. But I’d rather work alone." Buffy appoligized once more before going back to her room. Willow spent the remander of the evening researching Slaying dreams, bringing vamps back to life, and just Spike and Drusilla’s activities in general. Almost none of Giles’s books said much these topics, but she didn’t give up hope. At about 4:30 in the morning, she found a book about the ritual to bring a vamp back to life. "Buffy!" she cried. Buffy came running downstairs to see what was wrong. "Will, what happened?" "I found it!" "Found what?" "The ceremony to bring a vamp back to life. It states that if the vampire is not the Master, you don’t need the bones. You need a drop of the sire’s blood, part of the ashes, and the one he or she had the strongest conection with while they were undead. This all has to take place on the anniversery of their death." Buffy’s face turned a ghostly white. "Yesterday was the anniversery. Drusilla is alive." End Part 5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Hope (epilogue) Date: 18 Apr 1998 15:11:03 PDT Epilogue “It’s a little late for such a little girl to be out all by herself, don’t you think?” A smooth voice called out in the night. Annoyed, Hope stopped dead in her tracks and turned around, preparing to make a wise-ass comment to the stranger. The sudden smile that formed on her lips marked her instant reaction to the deep blue eyes that stared into hers. She was taken back by the man’s good looks. The sandy blond hair that fell just below his ears framed his handsome face. She was particularly startled by this, not expecting such a gorgeous creature. Hope attempted to speak, but something stopped her. Those eyes. She began to notice there was a familiar coldness about them, a frigid emptiness that lacked feeling and emotion. She had seen the same look before. Hope’s eyes narrowed at her disappointing realization: Vampire. “That depends on your definition of little,” she answered coolly, her attitude showing through her body language. Hope held her hands on her hips, with her head cocked to one side and her right eyebrow raised in a manner that resembled Cordelia. He smiled, clearly amused at her anger. “Oh, well don’t take offense to what I said. It was just an observation.” “Well, let me tell you what you can do with your observations,” she snapped defensively. “Woah, woah,” he said, holding his hands up in front of him. “Calm down. Let me introduce myself--” “I’m sorry,” Hope interrupted, “But my mom told me never to talk to strangers, let alone vampires.” The cold blue eyes opened wide with surprise, but the look was instantly replaced by a humor as a grin formed on his red lips. “Vampire?” “Don’t play games with me. I know what you are. Vampire. Creature of the Night. One who sucks blood,” she said, exasperately. He laughed. “Well, well, well. You must be that slayer I’ve been hearing so much about. The infamous Buffy Summers.” Hope smiled. “No, you are wrong. But you will get to take home this nice consolation prize,” she said, fingering the stake that rested in the sleeve of her sweater. “Oh, and what’s that?” He asked, casually running his hands through his hair as if too distract the girl with his boyish charm. “This pretty little stake!” She squealed with mock enthusiasm as she whipped out the stake and plunged it into the vampires heart before he even knew what happened. Wiping the dust from her hands, she replaced the stake in the sheath and continued walking through the desolate graveyard. Hope hated cemeteries, but knew that this was the place to be for vampire hunting. She had taken over patrol for Buffy, who was still very much in mourning over Angel. It had been a long week for the Slayer and her slayerettes since that fateful night. A week of tears, anger, frustration, and understanding. Buffy’s friends continued to comfort and support her. Her sorrow affected all of them, even the thick-skinned Cordelia, who, in a fight to heal her leg, threw a small party for the Slayer. Everyone gathered in Buffy’s living room, with food, and movies, and laughter. Their festivities had lasted the whole night, and despite the heavy sadness that loomed in her heart, Buffy had a good time. Hope sighed heavily and sat down on the steps of one of the old crypts. It had been eight days since she met Buffy and learned of her fate. It was a trying time for the girl, with new emotions and responsibilities. Her parents wanted her to drop out of school and focus on her destiny as a Slayer, but she had readily refused their pleas. Hope wanted to be as much as a teenager as she could possibly be, and school was important to her. Not only that, she wasn’t to happy on the idea of her being immortal. The thought sent chills down her spine. She would forever be a 17 year old girl...forced to watch her family and friends die, while she lived on, knowing she would never age, never bear children.....and never die. In addition to those problems, something else plagued her intensely. Angel’s death. Giles told her countless times not to blame herself, but the guilt remained strong. Hope felt like she failed her parents, Buffy, and most of all Angel. She never got to give him his greatest wish--to be human. The only comfort she had was that Angel could still be with Buffy, watching over her like her guardian of the night. Hope leaned back against the wall, a smile forming on her pale face. Chuckling slightly, she recalled the night that Giles told Buffy she was alive. The Slayer’s shock was overwhelming, and when Hope walked into the room, Buffy was still in denial. She had screamed, “No way! Either I’m seeing a ghost, or that’s a vampire! Giles!...,” she clutched his shoulder, staring at him with wide open eyes..., “Get me my stake!!!” Despite the serious of that Saturday afternoon, two days after the horrible night, Hope couldn’t help but find humor in the whole thing. When Buffy came to grips with reality, her denial did a complete one-eighty, turning into a mixture of relief and happiness. The joyful tears that were shed in their reunion could have filled a river, and Buffy’s sad spirits had been lifted, the heaviness of her heart growing lighter. That night Hope stayed at Buffy’s house, and they talked all night long. Buffy was forever thankful that Hope saved her life, and told her not to feel guilty over Angel’s death. Buffy’s forgiveness meant more to Hope than she could possibly know. “It wasn’t your fault that Angel died,” Buffy had said to her. < Everyone has been telling me that > Hope thought sorely. Xander, Buffy, Giles, her parents. A thousand of those exact words could be spoken, and her feelings wouldn’t change. No one could understand what she was feeling. So much had changed in her life over the course of a week. Everything that she thought life to be was a lie. Everything she thought about herself was a lie. Hope continually thought ‘Why Me?’ and cursed the heavens for giving her this fate. Hope felt like she was doomed to live a life of violence. With her innocence lost, she was now a completely different person. < I wonder what my friends back home would think about me now? > Resentment. < Would they resent me? Buffy does.... > Hope could see it lying in the Slayer’s eyes. There wasn’t a lot of it, but it was still there. Hope was sympathetic to her friend’s feelings, and was more than understanding. She knew that Buffy’s life hadn’t been everything it should. She wasn’t a normal teenager, and trying to juggle two lives--being the slayer and being Buffy--was hard. Now she had to deal with a new slayer on the block. First Kendra--now her. Although Buffy was thankful to have someone she could rely on and relate to, she still felt jealous and upset over having Giles’ attention being divided. Something else bothered Buffy greatly about Hope. She had the advantage over Buffy--Buffy could die, Hope couldn’t. But, despite those feelings of anger and resentment, Buffy was much more happy to have her friend back than she was angry. The Slayer pushed those bad feelings aside, and looked at the positive issues. Another Slayer meant less vampires, and a better change of killing off Spike and Drusilla. A better change of seeking and obtaining revenge. In the midst of her thoughts, Hope almost didn’t notice the presence of another person near her until the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. She stood up quickly and grabbed the stake from her sheath. “Okay--I know someone is out there, so just go ahead and come on out ‘cause I don’t have all night.” She waited, and the presence grew stronger, even though no one came out. “Hello?! While I’m still young, please!” Out of no where, a figure jumped down on her from the roof of the crypt. She toppled, rolling down the steps. “Ouch!” She called out loudly. “Who ever you are, your gonna pay! That hurt you son of a bitch!” She scrambled to her feet and waited for the figure to attack. He just stood there, in the shadows, concealing his identity. Annoyed for the second time that evening, Hope gritted her teeth. “What is with you? Are you trying to be Mr. Mysterioso or something?” “Ha Ha. Very funny,” Spike’s voice said, dripping with sarcasm. She rolled her eyes. “Oh, it’s you.” “That’s not the way to greet someone,” he said, leaning against a tree. “Like I care,” she snapped, holding up her stake. “What do you want?” “Don’t worry, I’m not here to hurt you,” he said, grinning. “I want to know what is the deal with you. What the bloody hell are you?” His much too casual tone and manner made Hope uncomfortable. “What do you mean by that? I’m a normal human being,” she replied, taking a deep breath. “No normal human can fight like you can. I see it this way: You can’t be a Slayer, because there is already two of them. You can’t be a vampire because you wear that cross without pain. So _what_ are you?” The vampire stepped out from the shadows and stood beneath the pallid moonlight. To Hope, his chiseled features and British accent screamed ‘sexy’. She tried to push that thought from her mind, but his good looks were hard to ignore. “Maybe I’m just special,” she crooned, leaning against a large tombstone. Spike laughed loudly, his dark eyes gleaming. Sauntering up to Hope, he stood so close she could smell his cologne and feel his non-existent breath upon her face. “Maybe you are special,” he whispered, running a hand along her arm. Grabbing her fiercely, he kissed her roughly on the mouth. Lost in the embrace, Hope almost didn’t notice his lips moving to her neck. Feeling his mouth brush against her throat, she broke out of the trance and instantly shot her leg up, kicking him hard in the groin. The vampire groaned loudly, keeling over in pain. “Nice try, dead boy,” she laughed, grabbing his hair. Slamming his head against her knee, she brought her stake up and plunged it in his heart. She stepped backward, waiting for his body to burst into ashes. Instead, she saw blood coming from his chest and realized she missed his heart and stabbed his lung. “Ah, shit,” she said loudly, watching Spike wither in pain. He yanked the stake out of his body and glared at her, fuming. “I can’t believe I missed. I mean, I’ve been practicing my aim for the last week. Ugh.” “You bitch,” he growled, clutching his chest. “This isn’t over.” Hope shrugged, and watched the vampire struggle to walk away. “That’ll leave a mark,” she grinned. When Spike was out of sight, Hope returned to her thoughts while slowing strolling through the cemetery. < What a jerk > she thought. < He thought his good lucks would allow him to distract me. Ugh! See if I ever let _that_ happen again!..... > Hope shook her head, silently scolding herself. < But wait? What am I worried about? He can’t kill me! But can he turn me into a vampire even though I am already immortal? Hmmm...I’ll have to add to my list of things to ask Giles..... > < Spike is incredibly sexy. I wonder what he is like in bed?...> Hope practically slapped herself. < AKK! Bad thought! He is the enemy! A vampire!.......but a good looking vampire. I mean, I’m gonna live forever, why not get my kicks now?.... > A wide grin formed on her lips. < But what would Buffy do if she ever found out? > Her grin turned into a frown. < Why should I be worried about what she thinks? She’s in love with a vampire!--But he was a good vampire. Spike is a bad vampire... > She sighed, plopping down on a bench. < Oh well. Like it will ever happen. > Hope craned her neck upward and stared at the bright stars that hung in the sky. Her thoughts drifted to Caploe’s Hill, the place where she would always go to think in San Diego. < I need to find a place like that here > she thought, and remembered her conversation with Xander on her first day at SHS. He told her about an lookout point where could see all the city lights at night. Immediately, she stood up and began to swiftly walk there. < Where did he say it was? On Old Creek Road, ten minutes from the school? > A half an hour later, Hope reached a large, grassy hill. “This must be it,” she said aloud, and began hiking through the grass. It’s steepness was immensely tiring, but she trekked up it until she reached the top. Hope pushed away the trees and bushes, until she came to a big clearing at the edge of the cliff. Hope gasped at the beautiful sight she had found. The lights of Sunnydale illuminated the clear night sky, and the stars were even more radiant at this high elevation. Slowly sitting down, she leaned against an old tree trunk and watched over the city, as if she were it’s guardian of the night. Awed by the magnificent sight, Hope almost forgot all her troubles. “It’s amazing that, underneath all of this, lies the mouth of Hell. Under the beauty is a beast,” she murmured. < And that beast has fucked up my life > She sighed heavily, pulled her knees up to her chest. A light wind blew about her, slightly chilling her. < I wish Xander could be up here with me.... > She thought. Her heart had been broken over seeing him with Cordelia. < Well, if he’s happy with her, then I guess I’m happy for him. There are other fish in the sea. All I have to do is find myself vampire with a soul and I’m all set. > Her thoughts drifted to Spike. < I wonder if....No. No way. Spike with a soul? > Hope couldn’t help but laugh at her thought. < Spike with a soul. Could it work? I mean, could I possible give him a soul? Wouldn’t that be a site. > Getting the feeling she wasn’t alone, Hope looked up to see Buffy standing behind her. “Hey,” she said softly. “Oh, hi. How long have you been standing there?” Hope asked, surprised. “Not long,” she replied, sitting down next to Hope. “I see you’ve found the lookout.” Hope nodded. “Yeah...I needed a place to think. Xander told me about it.” Buffy smiled. “Well, this is definitely a good place to come and be alone. Do you want me to leave?” “Oh, no. Of course not,” Hope assured her. “How are you?” Buffy felt the tears come to her eyes. “It hurts.” Hope put a comforting arm around her friend. “I know.” “I miss him so much,” she cried softly, letting the tears fall freely down her face. “I hope he doesn’t forget me.” Hope’s mind flashed to the cat sitting on Buffy’s bed, purring his heart out. She was the only one who knew that was Angel. “Of course he won’t forget you. How could he? He loved you more than life itself.” “Why did he have to die?” Buffy whispered, wiping the tears from her eyes. “I don’t know,” Hope lied. < The reason he died was because the demon was keeping his body alive, and when the demon left, his soul wasn’t strong enough to keep him alive > “But I do know that where ever you are, he will be in your heart with you.” “When did you become so wise,” Buffy slightly joked. “It’s just the whole immortality thing,” Hope giggled. “I am so glad you didn’t die. I couldn’t bear losing you both,” Buffy spoke, sniffling. “How could I die when I had so much more slaying to do with you?” Hope said with a smile. “Yeah, slaying isn’t an easy job. Are you sure your up to entering the business?” “More than ready,” she replied. “Well, then I’m glad to have you on the team,” Buffy said. “Well I’ll only join on one condition,” Hope said, grinning. Buffy raised an eyebrow. “What would that be?” “That we kill them. We kill them all,” Hope said. Buffy sat straight up and stared at her with a more than shocked expression. “That is the exact same thing that----” “--that Angel said to you when you first met,” Hope said, finishing her sentence. “But how did you know that?” Buffy asked, not believing what she just heard. “I just know,” Hope whispered. “I don’t know how I know.....I just do.” Buffy didn’t know what to say. “You know, this world never ceases to amaze me.” “I couldn’t have said that better myself,” she replied, taking her words to heart. A thick silence filled the air, speaking more than a thousand words. The two friends stared out into the wide open sky, watching the stars twinkle over the city lights. In all her life, Buffy had never met a person she related with until Hope entered her life. Their connection to each other was stronger than ever thought possible. With their soul’s intertwined, a friendship was formed. One that would withstand even the harshest enemies that threatened to tear it apart. An unbreakable bond lasting forever. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC:The Watcher (6/8) Date: 19 Apr 1998 08:53:42 EDT The Watcher (6/8) by Jaclyn Amy TITLE: The Watcher AUTHOR: Jaclyn Amy@aol.com RATING: PG/PG-13 SUMMARY: This takes place four years later while the Buffy gang is attending Montague University near Sunnydale. Angel’s soul has been permanently restored, and he is 100% human. Jenny Calendar is still alive. Buffy will be getting a new Watcher. DISTRIBUTION: Ask me first. DISCLAIMER: I own none of the characters from or the movie or show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They were created by Joss Wheden and are owned by 20th Century Fox, Sandollar Television, Mutant Enemy, etc. No infringement intended. FEEDBACK: Please be nice; I’m still a newbie. Buffy ran upstair to wake Angel. "Angel! Angel!" she cried out. He ran out of the room in a state of bewilderment. "Buffy, what’s wrong?" "Drusilla, she’s, she’s-" "What is she? Whatever it is we can handle it." "She’s alive." A dead silence filled the hall. Even Xander, Oz, and Cordelia who had appeared in the doorways were shocked. "Buffy, are you sure?" Cordelia asked. She nodded her head meekly. "What are we going to do, Angel? The last fight I had with Dru, she nearly killed me. If you weren’t there…" "Don’t worry. It’s not a big deal. We’ll handle it; we always do, right?" He held her in his arms. "I’ve got to go. I’ve got to kill her." "You can’t just go there alone," Cordelia said. "She’s right," added Xander. "I’ll go with you." "No, you won’t. I’m going alone. More deaths is the last thing I need. I want all of you to stay here. Angel, if I’m not back by sundown, come after me alone." "You can’t do this," Angel spoke again. "I won’t let you." She placed a kiss on his lips and ran into her room, locking the door behind her. *** As she arrived at the warehouse, she was met by Spike and some of his men. "Well, well, well, if it isn’t the little Slayer. I ‘aven’t seen you in Sunnydale in years." "I’m going to kill her, Spike. Her and you." "That’ll be the day." "You don’t think I could?" She kicked him in the face. Two of the others jumped on her, but she got them off. Spike took a piece of metal from the side of the wall and hit her in the head. She was in a daze whenthe rest of the vamps grabbed her and dragged her off into the warehouse. As she got in everything went cold. *** "Spike?" Drusilla asked wearily. "Spike, come ‘ere." Her beautiful body lay on her bed. Dressed in a long red gown and having her gorgeous black hair curled, she waited for her reincarnation party. "I’m right here, love. What is it?" "Where’s my Angel?" "That bloody Slayer returned his soul to him. He’s back to being the Buffy- whipped Angelus now." //Which is not half bad// he added silently. "Are you feeling any better?" "I’m ready for my party, Spike. I need my party." "It’ll come all in good time." He kissed her seducing lips. "It’s been ages. I have a little present for you." She stepped out of bed and, with her full strength, went into the main room. There, Buffy’s arms and legs were chained up to the wall. She walked over to her and shoved her neck into position. "This’ll be a tasty treat." End Part 6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC:The Watcher (7/8) Date: 19 Apr 1998 09:17:05 EDT The Watcher (7/8) by Jaclyn Amy TITLE: The Watcher AUTHOR: Jaclyn Amy@aol.com RATING: PG/PG-13 SUMMARY: This takes place four years later while the Buffy gang is attending Montague University near Sunnydale. Angel’s soul has been permanently restored, and he is 100% human. Jenny Calendar is still alive. Buffy will be getting a new Watcher. DISTRIBUTION: Ask me first. DISCLAIMER: I own none of the characters from or the movie or show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They were created by Joss Wheden and are owned by 20th Century Fox, Sandollar Television, Mutant Enemy, etc. No infringement intended. FEEDBACK: Please be nice; I’m still a newbie. Drusilla’s games face appeared as she pierced Buffy neck. She drank slowly and calmly. Suddenly though, she was knocked over. "Willow!" Buffy cried. "Get out of here!" "I don’t think so." She kicked Drusilla in the face and threw her against the wall. Spike came up behind and grabbed her, so she smacked her head against his. Drusilla, in the mean time, had stayed against the wall. Willow grabbed her stake and shoved it into her heart. Spike, in a mad rage, got up and ran towards Buffy. He sunk his fangs deep into her neck where Dru left off. Slowly, the life drained out of Buffy’s face. Willow hobbled over to her as fast as she could. She kicked Spike in the face and sent him flying into a wall. Willow pulled another stake out of her jacket and stuck it into Spike. Quickly, she ran over to Buffy. She was unconscious hanging from the wall. Willow gently set her free and layed her upon the ground. She dragged Buffy out into the street and called for help. Soon an ambulence was there. "She’ll live," the paramedics said. "She is going to live." End Part 7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: G90210 Subject: BUFFYFIC: BBETA: Darkness and Light *POEM* Date: 19 Apr 1998 12:23:20 EDT This poem is from Buffy's POV, before S/I, FEEDBACK PLEASE!!!! E-mail me at............ G90210@aol.com Darkness and Light by:mInDy Have you ever looked, At where the sun meets the shadow. Both the same, Yet so different. One so opening, And inviting. One so cold, And hostile. The dark is him, And the light is me. Both the same, Yet so different. And we're both stuck inbetween. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: G90210 Subject: BUFFYFIC: BBETA: Life's A Bitch (4a/?) Date: 19 Apr 1998 12:32:47 EDT AUTHOR'S NOTE: This was just a thought I had one day. Because Buffy has to deal with stuff, most people don't think exist(right they don't, come on now for my own mentalness, they don't!) What about when she has to face real stuff, like real diseases. I don't know why I thought of this, but oh well I did. TITLE: Life's A Bitch AUTHOR: mInDy (G90210@aol.com or LoveAVamp@aol.com) SUMMARY: I don't know how to write one to this, so read.......it's about Buffy and Angel for those of you who it matters too. SPOILERS: None at the moment. TIME LINE: After S/I IMPORTANT: Angel IS good in my story, he does has soul, and the curse can't be broken this time. DISCLAIMER: I own nothing!! WARNING: Major character dies. Look at the title and the language will be explained. Life's A Bitch by: mInDy *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* When Buffy woke up, she looked next to her and saw Angel laying next to her, and the events of the night before came flashing back. She wanted to take a shower so badly. She got up, and carefully got off the bed, careful, not to wake Angel up. She walked into the bathroom crying, and turned on the water. That got Angel up. It took him a minute, to realize what had happened, and who was in his bathroom. Once he did, he ran in the bathroom, and held Buffy back before she got in the shower. "Buffy, DON'T take a shower!" Angel screamed at her. Buffy looked confused and asked, "Why?" "Because, Buffy, if you take a shower, you'll wash off anything that could help identify who the guy is, who raped you." "Oh, ok.......so when am I gonna go to the doctor's then, I don't wanna go alone." Buffy said, looking so young and innocent, why would anybody hurt, Angel thought. "I call Willow, ok?" "Ok." Angel went and called Willow, and told her everything, that happened. Willow was over in a matter of minutes to help her friend. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* TBC... I know it's short, but it has been sitting on my desk forever now, thought I send what I've got! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: G90210 Subject: BUFFYFIC: BBETA: Questions Unanswered *POEM* Date: 19 Apr 1998 12:41:38 EDT Here is another poem, again, I am begging for feedback!!!! Buffy's POV. E-mail me at...... G90210@aol.com DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. Questions Unanswered by mInDy Once in a lifetime, You find the one you love for all of time. I found mine, But the love he gave in return is gone. One night of passion, Turned my world upside down. One night of love, Ruined my life. Will I ever have him back? Will we ever have a love like before? So many questions ask, But somebody was told, Not to answer them. Someone was told to make me suffer, But is he suffering too? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC:The Watcher (8/8) Date: 19 Apr 1998 14:10:38 EDT This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --part0_893009438_boundary Content-ID: <0_893009438@inet_out.mail.aol.com.1> Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII --part0_893009438_boundary Content-ID: <0_893009438@inet_out.mail.aol.com.2> Content-type: message/rfc822 Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Content-disposition: inline Return-path: Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit The Watcher (8/8) by Jaclyn Amy TITLE: The Watcher AUTHOR: Jaclyn Amy@aol.com RATING: PG/PG-13 SUMMARY: This takes place four years later while the Buffy gang is attending Montague University near Sunnydale. Angel’s soul has been permanently restored, and he is 100% human. Jenny Calendar is still alive. Buffy will be getting a new Watcher. DISTRIBUTION: Ask me first. DISCLAIMER: I own none of the characters from or the movie or show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They were created by Joss Wheden and are owned by 20th Century Fox, Sandollar Television, Mutant Enemy, etc. No infringement intended. FEEDBACK: Please be nice; I’m still a newbie. Buffy lay in the hospital bed for about three days. Giles, Xander, Cordelia, Oz, and Angel had come to see her numerous times, but Willow hadn’t come by since the day she brought her. Buffy conscience hurt more than any of her injuries did. She would never forget the look of hurt on her friend’s face. Sure, Spike and Drusilla were dead, but at what price? She had given up her best friend and her favorite Watcher. //I acted like a total bitch// she thought. //If only I hadn’t-// Willow’s appearance interupted her thoughts. "Hey." "Hi." "How’re you feeling?" "Better. But I still am upset about what I said to you. Will, I wasn’t upset about you becoming my new Watcher; I was upset about losing Giles, and I took my anger out on you. I was acting like a real bitch. I’m really sorry." "It’s okay. I can understand about you not being ready to let go of Giles." "No, it’s not okay. Good friends don’t say stuff like that about other friends-no matter what." "We shouldn’t ruin our friendship just because of something as little as this. I’m sorry that I totally overreacted about how you felt. You have a right to your own opinions, even if I don’t like them. Friends?" "Friends." The girls hugged each other. "Sorry to interrupt," Giles said, "but I need to talk to both of you." "Giles!" Buffy cried. "You’re back!" "I’m afraid," he spoke, "that I’ve made a terrible mistake." "Like what?" asked Willow. "When I was researching the next Watcher, I make an error. Willow, you aren’t the Watcher." "What!?" the two girls cried in unison. "Um, the next person in line is Samuel Henry Champlain from Canada." "Giles," Willow cried in excitement, "so I’m not Watcher?" "Not at the present time. You will, however, be in line after Mr. Champlain." Buffy had a confused look on her face. "But then how did Willow kill Spike and Drusilla. She had incredible strength and fighting technique." "Uh, I’m not sure. You’ll have to talk to your new Watcher about that. As for me, I’ve got to go home and see Jenny. Good luck, Buffy. I’ve met your new Watcher before and he’s a very nice person. I’ll see you soon." "Bye." End of The Watcher --part0_893009438_boundary-- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: A Stroke of Luck (part 5) Date: 19 Apr 1998 12:42:39 -0700 For disclaimers see part one A Stroke of Luck (part 5) Spikes thoughts shifted... He'd forgotten about the pet he'd left in the cellar. A bit annoyed he got up, it was nighttime again, which means he had left her down there for a good 24 hours, if not more. His footsteps echoed through the warehouse, and he tried to push Drusilla out of his mind time being, so that he may check up on his new playmate. But the more he thought of the little red head, a *friend* of the slayers, the more enraged he became... ~ From below or saints above? ~ ~ You came to me ~ Swinging open the door, Spike walked into the room. Willow jerked up with a start, covering her eyes from the light as Spike walked over to her "Rise 'n Shine." Spike said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.. to hide the pain... "You were sleeping, right? Looked that way" He muttered, walking around the girl. Willow's eyes adjusted slowly to the light... "Let me go" She said meekly. Spike rolled his eyes, how'd he guess that'd be the first thing out of her mouth? "I promise I won't tell Buffy.. I-I can say I--" Spike put his hand up. "That's enough. I think we both know you're not going anywhere." "She'll come for me" Willow threatened "Yeah," Spike said "I'm counting on it" ~ Here comes the cold again ~ ~ I feel it closing in ~ Willow shivered inwardly. 'Counting on it?' she thought, then... If he was counting on Buffy coming to save her... she had no chance. He could use her dead or alive...Tears neared her eyes, though she wouldn't let them fall... He looked her up and down again, his first impression was (of course) that she was weak... Her hair clung to her face, and her eyes were framed in blue circles. She looked pretty pale too, though he thought nothing of it being trapped in a cellar for 24 hours, is hardly something to bring the colour out in your cheeks Spike reached his hand up to get a strand away from her eyes, Willow tried to jerk back, but was in an awful position to do so. ~ It's falling down and ~ ~ All around me falling ~ "Well." Spike sighed, walking quickly to the candle, picking up the key behind it. "Let's get you down" "What?" Willow's eyes fluttered, she thought she might be dreaming.. did he just say-- "Would you rather stay chained to a wall?" Spike asked cocking his head to the side waiting for her answer She looked downwards Spike laughed "course not." He continued to unlock the chains. As soon as the second lock was undone Willow fell. Right into Spike arms, for the second time. He leaned over to help her stand, pulling her up. "you okay?" Willow nodded, but made no move to stand Spike laughed again, and picked up her feet, and began to carry her. Willow's heart stop! She wanted to fight him off, to scream and rip out his heart... But she was so tired. She cursed herself for her weaknesses... This would never happen to Buffy she knew. But she wasn't a slayer, She was just Willow. Spike proceeded to carry her out of the cellar. He had no idea what he was going to do with the girl, but he was extremely bored, and sitting around moping was oddly getting him no where. So, he took her to the main room, and sat her down on top of the table. He steadied her so she might sit up, and not fall down. It worked. She sat there, staring off into space. Spike took a seat on some crates across from her. Only When he looked into her eyes did he see terror... Sure, he could've sensed it...and sure she tried to cover up, but once you get a taste of it....Well... Spike could just tell she was scared.. and with good cause too. "What are you..." Willow tried to speak, her voice trembling a bit. "I mean... are you..." Spike smiled. This would be good fun. Something to detour the hurt he felt, and something to do. Willow spoke up, hiding her fears "Are you going to kill me?" Smooth willow she chided herself. Of course he's gonna kill you. Your of no use to him! Or...maybe.. bait? She shook the inside of her head. Her thoughts were making her dizzy anyway's. When she finally got up the nerve to look at Spike was looking at her, he was just staring. She began to wonder if he was going to answer her question... He was a bit fascinated, she was pretty, he admitted. Somewhat of a mouse though. Not to mention one of the slayers bestest friends... Which made him want to kill her terribly much. "I don't quiet know yet" He finally answered. "Then why'd you hunt me?" Spikes eyes shot to hers, and she immediately looked away. "come again?" "You.. um.. You took me, and you locked me up.. in a dark.. um" Willow rubbed the large round bruises on her wrists not sure where she was going or what to say. "no, no." Spike declared "you said. Hunt. Hunted. Why did I hunt you?" Willow began to fill uneasy again. "*I* didn't hunt *you*" He hissed, getting up off the crate. "*I* didn't even hurt you." He said walking closer. "And, in case you haven't noticed your still" He said leaning over to look her directly in the eyes "*very* much alive" Willows eyes went huge. And her hands began to shake a bit in alarm and panic. She hadn't meant to anger him! Of course she hadn't meant to anger him! No one means to anger the person who is considering killing them! Spike continued to glare into her eyes. But he wasn't thinking of her. He didn't even see her. He saw Dru. It was her scared eyes he was looking into, not willows. It was Drusilla's trembles he felt, it Dru... It was Dru he remember, as he closed his eyes when a vision of her body exploding to dust came... He turned his chin away from Willow's. "Come 'mere, love" Spike asked, suddenly taking her shaking hands and leading her away... -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html 'We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure (Wish) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jaclyn Amy Subject: BUFFYFIC: Reader Wanted Date: 19 Apr 1998 14:39:56 EDT I'm working on a new story that I'm kinda unsure about. I would appreciate it if someone would help me by proofing it before it goes to the list. If interested, please e-mail me privately at Jaclyn Amy@aol.com. Thanks. -Jaclyn ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Lost & Found (9/13) Date: 19 Apr 1998 15:48:58 EDT Lost & Found 9 Title: Lost & Found (9/13) Author: Michelle E-mail: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG-13 = violence and graphic descriptions (no sex) Summary: Series after Vengeance - Buffy, Xander, Willow & Giles are all vampires. Drusilla is making Buffy pay for supposedly killing Spike. Previous Stories: If you like this story but don't understand it, it's probally because you haven't read Vengeance. That came before this one and this is a continuation of it. You can find it as well as all my other stories at: http://members.aol.com/aglx/buffywrittings.html Distribution: I'll say yes, but ask. Spoilers: Everything up to Killed By Death (just to be safe) Feedback: Please, good or bad, I need to know. The more feedback, the more writting I do! I won't care if you tell me this story is horrible, I just want to know. This story is something that happens after Killed By Death. Probally a Third season type story. This story has some pretty graphic descriptions and some people may be upset by the story. There is a PG-13 rating on this story however, there is no sex or sexual situations. Just some Buffy like language and violence. This story will go on for a while, or until I come up with a way to end it. The characters, Buffy, Xander, Willow, etc. belong to Joss Whedon, The WB, Sandollar, etc. ************ "Is everything ready?" "Yes," Xander and Willow said in unison. "Good. Now go," said a tall creature. "Dru, come here baby." Drusilla danced over to him with a smile on her face. "Are you sure this is what you want?" Dru smiled and looked into his eyes. "Yes, they betrayed me. I must know who loves me." "Okay, if you want it, you shall have it!" The man scooped her up into his arms and headed up stairs. ***** "You know what's going to happen to us." "Yeah, I'm not too worried though." Spike was almost sure of himself. "Really? You don't seem to intimidating all chained up and bloody like that." Angel was going to use words to hurt Spike since physical violence wasn't exactly an option. The large metal door opened again revealing Xander and Oz in the doorway. "Come on boys, time to play." They both entered the room with keys in their hands. Xander walked over to Spike and undid the lock on his hands. Spike fell forward to the ground, his feet still chained up. "Did you have to do my hands first?" Spike moaned out. "Well, if I did your feet first, it wouldn't be any fun." Xander smiled down at Spike's face that laid flat against the cold ground. He undid the locks on his feet and dragged Spike out of the room. Oz did the same for Angel and dragged him out after Spike. Drusilla stood by a large table next to the dark mysterious figure. The man wore a cape with a hood that covered his face. Willow stood off to a corner, excitement showing through her quiet expression. Xander and Oz dragged the two into the room and dropped them on the floor in front of Drusilla. "Oh good, the guests are here, now we can start the party," Drusilla said with an evil grin. "Not quite. You forgot me," Buffy said as she stood in the doorway of the large cathedral like room. "Buffy, you weren't invited." "Well you know me, I just love to crash." Buffy walked over and stood between Spike and Angel's bodies. "Well, since you're here, I guess we can start with the surprise." "Sounds good to me," Buffy said encouraging Drusilla to try something, anything. "I would like you to meet a friend of mine." Drusilla turned to the man and tilted her head, indicating for him to remove his hood. Buffy watched in horror as the tall demon she once called a friend revealed his face. The rumors were true. Once called upon, a demon would invade the body of a vampire and use the appearance as a weapon. Giles was Drusilla's vampire of choice. She laughed as she watched Buffy's face fade to a paler white than usual. "I think you two have met," Drusilla said still laughing hysterically. Giles didn't move as he watched Buffy's face switch between emotions. End Part 9 --- PLEASE SEND FEEDBACK. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Lost & Found (10/13) Date: 19 Apr 1998 15:51:57 EDT Lost & Found 10 Title: Lost & Found (10/13) Author: Michelle E-mail: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG-13 = violence and graphic descriptions (no sex) Summary: Series after Vengeance - Buffy, Xander, Willow & Giles are all vampires. Drusilla is making Buffy pay for supposedly killing Spike. Previous Stories: If you like this story but don't understand it, it's probally because you haven't read Vengeance. That came before this one and this is a continuation of it. You can find it as well as all my other stories at: http://members.aol.com/aglx/buffywrittings.html Distribution: I'll say yes, but ask. Spoilers: Everything up to Killed By Death (just to be safe) Feedback: Please, good or bad, I need to know. The more feedback, the more writting I do! I won't care if you tell me this story is horrible, I just want to know. This story is something that happens after Killed By Death. Probally a Third season type story. This story has some pretty graphic descriptions and some people may be upset by the story. There is a PG-13 rating on this story however, there is no sex or sexual situations. Just some Buffy like language and violence. This story will go on for a while, or until I come up with a way to end it. The characters, Buffy, Xander, Willow, etc. belong to Joss Whedon, The WB, Sandollar, etc. ************ Buffy refused to let her fear show. The fact that she was a very powerful vampire would be her only advantage. Buffy smiled as she approached the table that stood between her and her enemies. "Don't just stand there. Let's get on with it. I'd like to be done by the time the sun comes up, if that isn't a problem for you two." "Not at all," Drusilla said sounding confused. She couldn't tell if Buffy's reaction was just an act. While Drusilla pondered Buffy's thoughts she was hit in the chin with the table. Buffy had flipped it up and hit her and Giles sending them falling to their backs. Buffy threw the table over at Willow who barely dodged it. Giles got to his feet and hit Buffy in the face with a hard punch. She turned her head away for a second and then hit him right back. Strength she never knew she had filled her body. Buffy punched him continuously preventing him from having the chance to strike back. All the anger that she had inside of her came out through her fists. Her punches and kicks got stronger each time. Finally she drew back for a final hit and struck him directly in the face. He was sent flying into a wall. Buffy went after him, drew out a stake and shoved it into his chest. The body exploded into dust. "Sorry Giles," Buffy mumbled under her breath. Buffy walked over and grabbed Drusilla by her shoulders, lifting her up into the air. "You made a big mistake coming here!" She threw her across the room. Spike watched her hit a wall and crawled over to her. "Dru, are you hurt?" "Spike," she said sincerely, as she saw the love in his eyes. "I'm here baby," He smiled at her perfect features that he missed so much over the years. "Spike, get away from her. This is my fight." Buffy charged towards them and Spike stood up to block her. "No, not anymore." Spike stood firmly in front of Drusilla. "Get *out* of my way. She is going to pay for what she did to me." "You don't see how alike you two are. Don't you get it? It's not her your mad at. It's him." Spike pointed at Angel who was still trying to understand what was going on. Buffy turned to look at Angel and then back at Spike. She stared at him, her face showing the confusion she was suffering from. "He made her insane. He killed everyone she loved. Who do you think taught her how to do it to you?" Spike looked down at Drusilla's face that looked almost sad. She could see all the death and pain that Angel caused her replaying in her mind over and over. "You're right. He's the one I've been mad at all these years. As the slayer and now as a vampire. Dru did what she did because she loved you. Now, that I still don't understand, but let's not get into that..." Buffy's words faded away as a smile replaced them. "Do you still have that book?" Buffy asked as wheels turned in her head. "Yeah...why?" "I just realized something." The pieces of the puzzle began to fit together. "Go get the book. We've got some work to do." Spike picked up Drusilla off the floor and left cautiously to get the book. "Buffy?" Xander said as he approached her from behind with Willow on his arm. "Huh?" Buffy said as she turned around to face them. "What are you going to do?" Willow asked, her voice sounding worried. "All this time, I never thought vampires were capable of love. As I watched Spike and Dru together, I realized, we are. It's just a matter of finding it." Oz joined Willow and Xander by Buffy and they all continued to stare at her confused. "I found it," Buffy said with a smile as she looked at Angel. End Part 10 - SEND FEEDBACK!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Lost & Found (11/13) Date: 19 Apr 1998 15:54:52 EDT Lost & Found 11 Title: Lost & Found (11/13) Author: Michelle E-mail: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG-13 = violence and graphic descriptions (no sex) Summary: Series after Vengeance - Buffy, Xander, & Willow are all vampires. Drusilla is making Buffy pay for supposedly killing Spike. Previous Stories: If you like this story but don't understand it, it's probally because you haven't read Vengeance. That came before this one and this is a continuation of it. You can find it as well as all my other stories at: http://members.aol.com/aglx/buffywrittings.html Distribution: I'll say yes, but ask. Spoilers: Everything up to Killed By Death (just to be safe) Feedback: Please, good or bad, I need to know. The more feedback, the more writting I do! I won't care if you tell me this story is horrible, I just want to know. This story is something that happens after Killed By Death. Probally a Third season type story. This story has some pretty graphic descriptions and some people may be upset by the story. There is a PG-13 rating on this story however, there is no sex or sexual situations. Just some Buffy like language and violence. This story will go on for a while, or until I come up with a way to end it. The characters, Buffy, Xander, Willow, etc. belong to Joss Whedon, The WB, Sandollar, etc. ************ "I still don't get it, Buffy." Spike said almost irritated. "The two of you love eachother right?" "Right," they said together. "Well, in case you hadn't noticed, you're not going to get anywhere with Angel around. "True," Spike said starting to understand her plan. Buffy turned to see Angel walking about across the room. "Hey Angel, come over here a second," Buffy requested. "What?" Angel said as he walked over to them, still slightly delirious from his head wounds. "What's the last thing in the world you want?" "There are lots of things, could you be more specific?" Angel's voice was sarcastic. "Would you say that having a soul is one of those things?" "What are you getting at Buffy?" Angel stared into her eyes trying to understand what she had up her sleeve. The rest of the group caught on to her idea and smiled at the thought. "What better way to make Angelus suffer than to bring back his favorite friend, Angel." Buffy looked up into Angel's fuming eyes as he realized what she had planned. "Not a chance," Angel said, almost positive that they wouldn't get away with it. "Well, Angel, there are six of us and one of you. Who do you think is going to win?" Buffy started to laugh as Angel tried to run away. Xander stepped into his path. "Nope." Angel tried to dodge him but again was blocked, by Oz. "Not this way either." Drusilla watched the fun and decided to join in. She broke away from Spike's embrace and walked over behind Angel. "Angel, darling." Angel spun around to feel Drusilla's hard left hook connect with his nose. He fell to the ground, unconscious. Something about that left hook that was just magical. "Where can I learn how to do that?" Willow asked, amazed that someone could actually knock him out. Drusilla turned around and danced her way back to Spike's arms with a smile on her face. "Now, let's get started," Buffy instructed and everyone went to work. ************************ End Part 11 - Send Feedback. Also, I need editors for my stories. Any volunteers? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Lost & Found (12/13) Date: 19 Apr 1998 16:01:03 EDT Lost & Found 12 Title: Lost & Found (12/13) Author: Michelle E-mail: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG-13 = violence and graphic descriptions (no sex) Summary: Series after Vengeance - Buffy, Xander, Willow & Giles are all vampires. Drusilla is making Buffy pay for supposedly killing Spike. Previous Stories: If you like this story but don't understand it, it's probally because you haven't read Vengeance. That came before this one and this is a continuation of it. You can find it as well as all my other stories at: http://members.aol.com/aglx/buffywrittings.html Distribution: I'll say yes, but ask. Spoilers: Everything up to Killed By Death (just to be safe) Feedback: Please, good or bad, I need to know. The more feedback, the more writting I do! I won't care if you tell me this story is horrible, I just want to know. This story is something that happens after Killed By Death. Probally a Third season type story. This story has some pretty graphic descriptions and some people may be upset by the story. There is a PG-13 rating on this story however, there is no sex or sexual situations. Just some Buffy like language and violence. This story will go on for a while, or until I come up with a way to end it. The characters, Buffy, Xander, Willow, etc. belong to Joss Whedon, The WB, Sandollar, etc. ************ Everything was almost set. Xander and Oz were placing Angel's body on the table. Buffy grabbed Spike's arm and took him away from Drusilla. "After we take care of Angel, I want you to perform the spell on me too." Buffy couldn't believe her words. The demon inside of her was screaming for her not to speak, but she overpowered it. "Are you sure about that?" Spike was surprised to hear her words as well. "When you made me a vampire, I knew it was the only way to get Angel. Now, I don't want it anymore." "Buffy, I don't get it. Vampire's don't have souls, you shouldn't be feeling this way." "Spike, just cause we don't have souls doesn't mean I don't have thoughts and memories. And all my good memories are with my friends." Buffy paused for a short second. "And Angel." "If it's what you want, sure, but I don't know why the bloody hell you would want it." "Just do it. As soon as our souls are restored, Angel and I can take care of the others." "You might want to look into this 'thought' thing too. I can't believe a violent vampire like yourself could feel this way." Buffy hit Spike on the arm. They both smiled and walked back over to the group. "Okay, showtime." Spike opened the book and began to read from it. Angel awoke suddenly to Spike's chanting. Buffy stood by his feet and watched his face as he realized what was going on. "NO!" Angel struggled to get up but it was too late, the spell was working. He cried out in pain as he continued to try and get up. After Spike finished, Angel collapsed. "Okay, my turn," Buffy said. Everyone in the room turned to her, shocked. "Buffy? What the..." Buffy silenced Xander with her hand. "Stop. You don't understand." "What is going on Buffy?" Drusilla took several steps until she was face to face with Buffy. "Dru, you remember that night when you killed Xander?" "Yes..." "Let's just say, I'm a damn good actress!" "What are you talking about?" Xander said as he pulled Buffy to face him." "When I confronted Drusilla, I wasn't Buffy Summers, Vampire Slayer. I was Buffy Summers, Vampire. See, the night before, Spike and I had a little chat. He agreed to transform me into a vampire so that I could get Angel out of his way." Buffy broke away from Xander's glare and walked away from the group. "The next night, when you sent Spike after me, it was all just a setup. We fought because Spike didn't want to go along with the plan. When he finally agreed, I stuck a spike in his gut just to make sure he knew I was serious." "But, I turned you into a vampire," Drusilla said trying to catch Buffy's eye. "Well, you did. You sucked me dry and then gave me your blood. Let's just say those rumors about how making a vampire a vampire doesn't work aren't true. I'm still here." "To make a really long story short, I moved here to figure out the spell and to get ready for Buffy to bring me Angel. After you made her a vampire again, she was too busy with killing of everyone who breathed on her, to think about why she became a vampire in the first place. Basically, she wants to have Angel back and that's what I'm going to do. After all, my word is good. Most of the time." Spike smiled slightly at all that was going on. Buffy turned to Xander. "Xander, I do have feelings for you, but you know my heart belongs to Angel. It always has." "Unfortunately, I do." He didn't know whether to be furious at her or to be her friend. It was all too much at one time for him to handle, especially as a vampire. Buffy pushed Angel's body off the table so she could lay down. "Okay, let's get this over with before the demon in me takes over." Spike started chanting again. Buffy fell unconscious on the table. "My job is done. Now lets get you home my sweet." He scooped Dru up into his arms and they left the room. Xander, Oz and Willow waited to see what would happen when Angel and Buffy awoke. End Part 12 - Send Feedback and I'm still looking for editors for my stories. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Lost & Found (13/13) Date: 19 Apr 1998 16:03:56 EDT Lost & Found 13 Title: Lost & Found (13/13) Author: Michelle E-mail: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG-13 = violence and graphic descriptions (no sex) Summary: Series after Vengeance - Buffy, Xander, Willow are all vampires. Drusilla is making Buffy pay for supposedly killing Spike. Previous Stories: If you like this story but don't understand it, it's probally because you haven't read Vengeance. That came before this one and this is a continuation of it. You can find it as well as all my other stories at: http://members.aol.com/aglx/buffywrittings.html Distribution: I'll say yes, but ask. Spoilers: Everything up to Killed By Death (just to be safe) Feedback: Please, good or bad, I need to know. The more feedback, the more writting I do! I won't care if you tell me this story is horrible, I just want to know. This story is something that happens after Killed By Death. Probally a Third season type story. This story has some pretty graphic descriptions and some people may be upset by the story. There is a PG-13 rating on this story however, there is no sex or sexual situations. Just some Buffy like language and violence. This story will go on for a while, or until I come up with a way to end it. The characters, Buffy, Xander, Willow, etc. belong to Joss Whedon, The WB, Sandollar, etc. ************ She awoke in his warm embrace. He had moved them into a dark room where the sun couldn't find them. Buffy's eyes opened slowly to a familiar face. "Hi," she said softly. "Hey." His words were quiet and caring, something she desperately missed. Angel and Buffy were sitting peacefuly on a bed in a small bedroom. As far as she could tell, they were still in the house. "Xander, Willow, Oz?" "Willow and Xander are fine. I cast the spell on them yesterday. They still haven't regained conciousness. Oz however, got away. He was too much for me to handle. I'm still pretty weak. "How long was I out for?" Buffy's voice was calm as she settled herself against his body. "A few days, but you earned it." Angel smiled as he looked down into her eyes. They both had so much to say to eachother. So many appologies. They both knew how sorry they were. "I can't beleive this is all happening," Buffy said as she closed her eyes. "Me either, but it is." "Angel?" She opened her eyes to look into his. "Yeah?" "Hold me, and don't ever let go." "I won't. Ever." ******* Willow awoke lying next to Xander. He was still out, but she watched him lovingly. Willow sat up slowly and rested her back against the wall. She closed her eyes, reminising of the events that had happened. Everyone was a vampire. It was a lot for a person to take on. "Willow?" Xander's voice was weak as he slowly awoke to her beautiful smile looking down on him. "I'm here." He smiled as her fingers carressed his face. They didn't need words to express the feelings they had for eachother. It had exisited when they were evil demons, and even when they were humans. Now, as a combination of the two, they were finally able to show it. The two stared into eachothers eyes, smiles grazing their flawless features. Xander sat up next to her and placed her hands in his. After several minutes of looking into eachother's eyes, Xander moved in to kiss Willow. As they broke away, Willow said werily, "You have no idea how long I've been waiting for that." They both smiled as Xander took her into his arms. They had an eternal life to build together. *************************************************** That is the end of Lost & Found. Putting an end to this series, I will be starting an entirely new story that will start where this story leaves off. Don't worry, I'll be sure to be descrptive so you don't have to read all my previous stories to understand it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: hjrobert@nap.com Subject: BUFFYFIC: A shot (or somthing) of luck Date: 19 Apr 1998 17:10:16 +0000 ok, I totaly Erased the part 5 of that story! ok, in case my title was wrong, the story was about spike, and drusilla had died, and willow was chained up...that kind of thing. so if the person who wrote it would send me another copy, I would be greatful, (It was a wonderfull story) -Dru ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: A Stroke of Luck (part 6) Date: 19 Apr 1998 16:27:45 -0700 For disclaimers see part 1 A Stroke of Luck (part 6) Buffy paced around in the waiting room franticly, grabbing every doctors arm that walked by, asking about Giles. "Hey! Lady, wanna site down?" Yelled a guy watching the television. Buffy was about to give him a piece of her mind, when she spotted angel walking towards her. "What happened?" He asked his voice betraying a hint of sadness. "Drusilla...she was...uh...out hunting" Buffy assumed she was out hunting at least. And tried to think hard of what to say next, especially after the speech Angel had given her just days before... when he had his obsession with Drusilla... But Angel wasn't listening. The minute she had said Dru's name the light had clicked on in Angels mind. He stopped listening and began to grow furious, They would *not* get away with this. He promised himself and he promised Giles. Spike and Dru... they had gone to far now. Buffy continued, lost in thought of the day's events... "and.. she was talking to Giles, right before I came...and...Umm.." Buffy looked at Angel... "O god!" She cried softly, and Angel looked around to make sure no one was listening. He pulled her to his arms, holding her securely "I killed her" Buffy said. Angels eyes flew wide open in shock... Dru was dead? "And now, he's killed Giles" "shhhh" he said Buffy shook visibly in his arms. Angel gently pulled her away to look into her face. There were no tears in her eyes, but she was very clearly distraught ~~ Spike led Willow into another room in the warehouse. It was much more decorated than the two she had just been in. But still looked way to gloomy for her tastes. Her hands were shaking again. Spikes hands were cold. Very cold in fact! And it scared her. Being around him, being trapped like this. It made her feel to helpless. "This was her's" Spike began, swiping his hand around the room "all of it" Willow's confused. Whose? Drusilla's? It must be, she thought, looking at the dolls in the corner of the room and the lacey bed. Willow stopped her thought's suddenly "was?" She asked in her shaking voice. The one she couldn't seem to get away. "Was." Spike said glaring at her. "She owned it all" His voice trailed off "Until your playmate killed her." He suddenly hissed Buffy!? Willow's wide-eyed expression was enough to make Spike want to kill her all over again. She quickly saw the anger in his eyes, and looked down. Willow began begging silently, to whatever gods would listen to her. But at least she knew now. She knew the reason he had brought her here... She was going to pay for Buffy's crimes. She looked up again. Spike wasn't looking at her, and she quickly began to scan the room for a weapon or something. Willow smiled brightly. Leave it to Drusilla to label all her toys! "Willow?" Spike asked, turning to face her. Willow quickly took her eyes off the 'holy water' container and looked at Spike. "Umm.. yeah?" "Goodnight." He said as he hit her over the head with his fist. Willow promptly went limp, and fell to the floor. -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html 'We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure (Wish) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: A Stroke of Luck (Part 7) Date: 19 Apr 1998 20:25:00 -0700 For disclaimers see part 1 A Stroke of Luck (part 7) When Willow awoke she was in complete darkness, she felt trapped around in the silk sheets on the bed, and quickly untangled herself. She went to stand up, to look for a way out. She fell back down again. Willow's head was spinning. Grabbing her hands to her head in the pretense of stilling her mind she felt a large bump on the side of her head, from when Spike had hit her... Willow groaned. Her eyes went wide, as though to see through the darkness "Gee Spike. Couldn't even leave me with a little light?" She asked to no-one. Wondering where the hell she was now. Wondering where Buffy was now that she was the one needing to be saved... ~~~~~ ~ You say that you'll be there to catch me ~ Buffy, Angel, Xander and Cordelia all sat in Giles hospital room, waiting in silence. He had been unconscious for nearly two days now. The doctors said he had a good chance. The 'tree branch' hadn't hit any vital organs. "He had lost a lot of blood, and there was some shock to the heart. But he should be fine." "Thanks" Buffy told the doctor, and he left them alone with the patient... She began to pace around the room. "I can't believe this" Buffy sighed. There was a long pause of silence, as the four of them sat there starring off into space, each lost in their own thoughts. "I'm going to kill him... He can't..." She stopped. The emotion she felt was overwhelming her. "He cannot get away with this!" She hissed "Angel, you know where he lives don't you?" Angel was at her side immediately "Going up against Spike now is not a good idea Buffy. You know that!" He wasn't sure she'd heard him. He was about to comment some-more when Xander spoke up. "Anyone seen Willow?" ~~~~~~~ Spike had sat for the better part of the day remembering Drusilla. Just laying on top of the conference table thinking about the past, when Angel was Angelus and when Dru was alive. He had been off in his own world until his vampiric senses had picked up Willow's movements. He listened. He had waited for her to fall back asleep, grabbing Lucius from his slumber and ordered him go out to get his new pet something to eat. He had nearly smacked him when he came back with pizza! But figured she wouldn't mind, most likely think it was poisoned anyways. Spike crept into Dru's old room to look in on Willow. She lay there, curled up on the corner of the bed, the covers where kicked aside and tangled near her feet. Hair clung to the side of her face, and her clothes were ripped and tattered. But she was still beautiful.. The thought crossed Spikes mind... Moving to sit on the edge of the bed, he pushed a few strands of hair away out of her face. She could've been Dru. Were it not for the fire in her hair. Leaning over he kissed her lips lightly, as an evil smile spread across his face. -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html 'We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure (Wish) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Any Room Left (1/1) Date: 20 Apr 1998 09:27:27 PDT Author: Sara B. email: Sara114@hotmail.com Title: Any Room Left Distribution: Just let me know first! Disclaimer: Anything affiliatied with Buffy ain't mine! Summary: This is just a little fic about Willow's thoughts. It takes place right after last season's finale "Prophecy Girl." Feedback: Please send! Any Room Left (1/1) I can’t believe it. He asked me to the dance. ME! All of my hopes and dreams had come true in that instant. This was the moment I had been waiting for my entire life. My first reaction was to throw my arms around his neck and yell, “Yes! Of course I’ll go with you!” But I didn’t, because the look in his eyes stopped me. I had seen the look before, it’s familiarity hit me harshly. It was the intense look of rejection. She had rejected him. I couldn’t believe it. In less than a second, I had gone from soaring high in the sky to plummeting back down to the earth. Reality hit me. So, while my heart ripped into a million pieces and my knees grew weak, I fought back my tears and uttered the words I never thought would come out of my mouth at a moment like this. I told him no. I just flat out said it. No. He hadn’t quiet heard me at first. When he asked me to go, it was moments after she had told him no, moments after she practically put a knife through his heart. I remember his exact words: “Hey, I know what we'll do! We can go! Be my date! We'll, we'll have a great time! We'll dance, we'll go wild... Whadaya say?” It was like he thought I had no feelings. As if I was just his back up plan, like an old toy just lying around to play with when the new one broke. So, I told him no. My words had been, “You think I wanna go to the dance with you and watch you wish you were at the dance with her? You think that's my idea of hijinx? You should know better.” He stared at me when I said that like a ton of bricks had fallen upon him from above. His realization at his worlds left him ashamed. “I didn’t think,” he said, looking away. “I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. I'll see you on Monday,” were my last words to him before I walked away from him. And he walked away also, mumbling something about country music being the music of pain. I knew his pain was intense. I had known him my entire life, and when he hurt, I hurt. When he was happy, I was happy. And when he was in pain, I was in pain. And while I walked away from him, my body ached...my mind ached...my soul ached. I longed for a love that was so strong, yet so alone. It was my love for him...the love that had been looming inside of me for so many years. It was a sort of quiet love, one that goes untouched, unstirred. A love that was, in it’s own way, an everlasting emotion that would always burn inside of me. It was a feeling that had become a part of me, vowing to never disappear. Destined to be everlasting...destined to be alone. He and I were best friends. An inseparable pair. Our lives had been so simple, so pure. We lived in an in innocent world, filled with naive and blindness. And when she came along, that world fell apart. It came tumbling down around us...crumbling into fragments of a life once so close, yet now so far away. And all that was left was for me to pick up the remaining pieces and keep them locked away safely in my memory. Don’t get me wrong---I loved her.......but so did he. From the moment his eyes laid upon her, he wanted her. I would listen to him for hours while he constantly talked about how wonderful she was. Her eyes. Her hair. Her skin. Her voice. Her supreme greatness. He wanted it all. He wanted her. So I was forced to take a back seat in his life while she rode shotgun. Over the course of the year, his infatuation grew to immense proportions, taking up his entire heart. And I was left in the shadows, wondering if there was any room left for me. I pondered this constantly, worrying that I was no longer the most important thing in his life. I was desperate for his attention, desperate for him to notice me, notice *my* supreme greatness. It was as if she was a bright star outshining everything in it’s path. She outshines me. She had become my best friend, but little did she know she had become my worst enemy. But I would never tell her this, for her heart meant to do only good, never bad. She didn’t mean to make him fall in love with her. It just happened. The extent of her feelings for him had never reached farther than a purely platonic friendship. I suppose that is why she rejected him. Their friendship meant far to much to her to risk losing it. Through out all of this, one question still remained, burning in my mind. Why can’t I be the one he loves? I’ve been there for him through his good times and bad times. I was the shoulder he cried on. I have been his support unit. I know him better than anyone. Hell, I know him better than he knows himself. And then, it happened. She was destined to die one fateful night at the end of the school year. I remember when he learned that she was in danger. He immediately grew angry, cursing at Giles for letting her go. He went from being calm to being freaked out, fearing that she would die...fearing that he would lose her forever. And so, he gallantly went off to save her, like he was her White Night. He bravely risked his life for her. He saved her from death. Would he have done the same for me? If my life were in danger, would he save me? Would he risk his life for me like he did for her? I hope to God that he would. Oh, I pray that he would, for I would do it for him. No questions asked. If he was on the brink of death, I would give my life for his. And now, that the horrible night is over, and she has left for L.A., I sit in my bedroom alone, thinking about the past year. How much we have all changed! She has taught me to be more assertive...to stick up for myself. My self esteem has increased greatly since she entered my life, and I’m thankful that she is here. If she weren’t, I’d be dead...and so would everyone else in this damned town. So I guess that she has done more good for me than bad. Sure, he loves her, but my consolation is that she doesn’t love him. Yes, my feelings have been out of jealousy of her, and the thought of Xander loving her make my skin crawl. But maybe now that Buffy is going to be gone all summer I can get over those feelings. And maybe, just maybe, Xander can get over his feelings too. Perhaps there is hope for him, and for me. I can only pray for it to be true...that one day, he steps out of her blinding light, and notices me. Hopefully, that day will come soon. The End *Well? Whadaya think?* ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: hjrobert@nap.com Subject: BUFFYFIC: recent mail Date: 20 Apr 1998 20:06:54 +0000 I havent been getting much mail lately, and I realy enjoy ALL of the storys!! so, in a nice way, Write more: )!! -Drusilla ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: uzenet@videotron.ca Subject: BUFFYFIC: Broken Bonds (Part 3) Date: 20 Apr 1998 21:04:17 -0400 Title: Broken Bonds (Part 3) Author: Northlight e-mail: uzenet@videotron.ca Note: Thanks to all who helped. Summary: Giles dissapears and bad things start to happen. Disclaimer: They aren't mine. "Excuse me?!" Buffy choked, staring increduously at the expressionless man. "I don't know who the hell you think you are-- but you most definitely are not my Watcher!" Tyler smiled placatingly, the upward twist of his lips looking unnatural on his stony face. "I don't blame you for being somewhat... surprised by this sudden change in events, Buffy. I understand that you are confused and rather shocked by this news, but you must understand that I am your Watcher." "I only have one Watcher, and he isn't you!" Buffy growled menacingly. 'Who is this guy?' Buffy wondered as she tensed, her eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. 'He obviously knows about my being the Slayer, and about Giles being my Watcher... Who has that information? Another one of Giles' old acquaintances? That doesn't matter. Giles wouldn't just leave without telling me, and I just don't trust this guy. Way creepy.' "Calm down my dear girl," Tyler said. "There really isn't any need for violence." He pulled out a chair and dropped down into it, looking up at her with emotionless eyes. "I assure that I, Nathaniel Tyler, am your Watcher as of twelve-thirty this morning. You need not worry. It is only a temporary arrangement. Rupert received some distressing news about his family last night, and he had to return to England immediately to take care of business." Buffy wasn't convinced by Tyler's smooth explanation. "Giles would have told me that he had to leave." That she was sure of. Giles took his duty to her seriously, and he wouldn't just abandon her like this without any explanation. That just wasn't him. "He would have told you," Tyler continued, easily overriding Buffy's heated protest, "but he had no time. The matters which called him home required the utmost haste, but Rupert did call in and request the presence of a substitute Watcher during his absence. This being the Hellmouth, he felt that it would be best that the Slayer did not go without a Watcher." Buffy shook her head, stubbornly holding onto her belief in Giles' certainty to inform her of any absence, no matter how extreme the circumstances 'and I don't think Giles would agree on his replacement being quite so... freaky.' Tyler evidentially saw that Buffy wasn't about to accept any explanation that he had to offer. He sighed impatiently, and pulled a slim white envelope out of the pocket of his grey jacket. "This is for you, Buffy. In it, Rupert explains everything." She grabbed the letter, her nail slitting in open within moments. 'Hey, wait a minute--!' Buffy glared down at Tyler, her voice coming out in a low growl, "Giles didn't have enough time to call me, but he did have long enough to write a letter, is that it?" An unreadable emotion flickered through the man's eyes, disappearing before Buffy was even certain that it had been there. "Just read the letter," he commanded, his voice harsh towards her as Giles had never been. Buffy withdrew the letter, smoothing out the crisp crease running down the precise center of the paper. Finally, she glanced down, taking in the familiar sight of Giles writing. Buffy, I am writing this letter now, so that you shall have some explanation and reassurance should I leave you. Though I doubt that there is anything that would draw me away from my duties as your Watcher, I have learned that it is best to prepare for the unexpected, especially on the Hellmouth. If I should ever have occasion to leave without first speaking to you, this letter is meant to reassure you that you may trust the Watcher sent to you in my absence fully. Sincerely, Rupert Giles 'Nice,' Buffy thought, 'but I still don't buy it. First my dreams, and now Giles just disappears. Whatever's going on here, it's not a coincidence.' She looked up from the letter to find Tyler's eyes resting on her face, analyzing her reaction to the words before her. Buffy fought back a shudder and offered a weak smile. 'I still don't trust the guy, but I need time to figure out what's happening here. I guess I don't have much choice but to say that I believe him.' She re-folded the letter, and tucked in back into the envelope, but did not hand it back to Tyler. "I'm sorry about that... Tyler," Buffy said politely, her sweet tone surely would have shocked Giles, "it's just, you know, this being the Hellmouth and all, I tend to get just a bit suspicious. But if Giles, trusts you, I'm sure that I can too." Tyler nodded, satisfied by her seeming acceptance of him. "Wonderful! I'm sure that you and I will get along spectacularly!" Though his words were friendly, the man's voice remained cool. "Yeah... great," Buffy responded halfheartedly. "But I gotta go now, classes, you know? I'll be back later though," she said, already moving out of the doors. 'But first I've got to have a talk with Willow and Xander about this guy, and see what they think about this sudden turn of events.' End Part 3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Janine Sebastian Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Mission" (2/?) Date: 21 Apr 1998 10:23:10 -0700 (PDT) TITLE: "The Mission" (2/?) or "Santa Claus yelled at me!" AUTHOR: Jeanie the Tortoise-Fly [Janine Sebastian] E-MAIL: DISTRIBUTION: Ask and ye shall receive. SPOILERS: after "Killed By Death"...Isn't Ryan a cutie? DISCLAIMER: None of the Buffy characters belong to me, they belong to Joss Whedon and the WB etc. No copyright infringement intended. The Doberman Pincher is being borrowed from Robyn's fluff piece, as John could probably tell you. Anya, Robyn, and Windrider are real people...they have given me permission to include them in this fic. They don't belong to anyone except themselves...though Anya has on occasion claimed that the bank owns a piece of her...My parents and my pets are real too but they don't get a say in this. Jeanie is me. No one owns me as far as I know so there's no copyright infringement there. When I'm done, I promise that all of the characters will be returned in one piece...even Windrider. AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is far form serious or typical of a buffyfic...If I had to classify it I'd say it's humor/desperation...My dad is stalling and avoiding getting our house connected to the net. Enjoy...or don't...it's up to you. Feedback is muchly appreciated, and I will use any flame mail to warm up my room [the floor is 1ft underground, and surrounded by cement, so it's cold in here.] ********************* "Your dad? He went out back a couple of hours ago. I thought I saw smoke over the fire pit so I assumed he was starting a bonfire..." Jeanie's mom glanced out the window as she said this. "Funny there's no smoke now...Well I have to go to work. Nice meeting you Willow and Xander." With that, Mrs. Sebastian gathered her dinner [she was working the night shift at Children's Hospital], her purse, and her coat. She attempted to kiss Jeanie goodbye, but Jeanie masterfully dodged the kiss aimed at her forehead, by leaning down to calm her insistent dog Kaila. Through the whole scene Kaila was barking, Gandalf [the Sebastian's other Keeshond] was getting exited thinking that Ruth was going to take him for a walk, Xander was mesmerized, staring out the window at two humming birds who were fighting over the feeder [they didn't seem to realize there were *two* feeders], and Willow was starting to show signs of paranoia due to the collection of frogs in the Sebastian's house. [They collected frog memorabilia from miniature toy frogs to froggy-banks to frog mugs.] By the time Ruth had gone out to her car, Willow was frantic. Xander hadn't moved, his intent gaze glued to the feuding hummers. Jeanie looked over at her *friends,* as her mother had called them, and noticed the looks on their faces. She decided to deal with the simplest problem first. "Xander...they're just birds! Snap out of it!" "But...they're so small..." "Xander they are humming birds. They're supposed to be small. Now Willow needs our help." With that Jeanie turned to the young hacker, who was now curled up on the floor in the fetal position, screaming. "Frogs! Frogs! Ohh My God! The Frogs! Get them off me! Frogs! Frogs!" Kaila and Gandalf were licking Willow's face and hands, unable to figure out what was wrong with her. "Willow! It's all right they're fake. See this is just a toy...They're not real. Willow?" Xander and Jeanie finally got Willow calmed down enough to explain to her that all of the frogs in the house were fake. Once Willow was sitting on the couch, calmly sipping a nice hot cup of tea, the three of them started to piece together all that must have happened. They figured that after Jeanie had gone through the portal, her dad had accidentally stepped through it too. This meant Mr. Sebastian was probably loose in Sunnydale. There was only one thing to do...they had to go back to Sunnydale and find Jeanie's dad. Before they went out to the back yard where the Sliders-like gate was, Jeanie insisted they dash into her room to grab her stashed bag of sour berry candies. While Jeanie searched for the bag [she had hidden it better than she thought], Willow admired her surroundings. "Wow! Think you've got enough stuffies? Yikes! Who are all these people?" Willow was now looking at one of the three large bulletin boards which were nailed to two of the walls. These contained pictures carefully arranged, so as not to damage any, and held on with multicolored thumbtacks. "Oooooh...Douglas Adams' "The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy!"...and it's got pictures! Cool!" Xander of course was more interested in the 'important stuff'. He also noticed the large map of Tolkien's Middle Earth which was pinned on another one of the walls. Then just as Jeanie found the bag of candies hiding in her old Cello's case, Xander and Willow realized there was something missing in the room. "Um Jeanie? Where's the bed?" Jeanie pointed through what they had thought was a closet doorway. Inside was a bed which had Quixote and Kira, her two cats, curled up on it. "Ohh, nice kitties," was the only response she got. With what they had come for, Jeanie, Xander and Willow proceeded to go to the gate which was in the back yard. Jeanie took out the timer, pressed a button, and a blue portal appeared. They jumped through the portal and prepared to land in Sunnydale. Jeanie landed on a Doberman pincher which let out a pained yelp. Willow landed on an unmade bed with a soft thud. Xander came flying out of the portal and found himself laying on the ground staring at a pair of runners. The owner of the runners helped Xander up and then went to extricate Jeanie from the Doberman which had pinned her down by sitting on her stomach and growling. Once free of the dog Jeanie glanced up at her rescuer, an almost sixteen year-old who had a peculiar white streak in her light brown hair. "Robyn! What? Why're we in your room? We're supposed to be in Sunnydale! My dad...we have to go find him..." At this point Jeanie gave up trying to make sense and resigned to sit in the swivel chair by Robyn's desk. Robyn explained that the gate was new and she didn't understand why it sometimes got it's destinations mixed up. As Willow explained that they were looking for Jeanie's dad, Robyn took the timer from Jeanie and reprogrammed it for Sunnydale. "I'm coming with you. That way if something happens to the timer again I can fix it." Robyn got no protestations from Willow or Xander, and Jeanie was too busy chewing on a couple of sour berry candies to say anything. And so the Three had become Four. Robyn pressed a button on the timer, and the four teenagers jumped through the portal that had just appeared. Xander and Robyn both landed in a heap in the alley behind the Bronze, narrowly missing a stray undead cat. Willow landed on an empty crate, while Jeanie landed on her feet. Unfortunately Jeanie's feet came to rest on the undead cat who was fleeing from the falling objects. So she tripped, and her fall was broken nicely by the heap that was Xander and Robyn. Once they assembled themselves [after the ritual check for broken bones etc.], they started for the Bronze. Across the street they saw Ryan, the little boy from the hospital during Buffy's stay, crying with his head in his arms. "Ryan? What's the matter?" Trust Willow to act calmly in a situation like this. "Santa Claus yelled at me...and he said 'Bah Humbug!'" With that, Ryan burst into another tearful fit. Jeanie looked at her friends and voiced: "Well, at least we know my dad has been here..." *********************** ...Will they find Jeanie's dad? Or will the Vampires beat them to it?... ...To Be Continued... Note: My dad does look a bit like Santa, especially when he lets his beard grow. Every time someone suggests that a good post-retirement job for him would be as a mall Santa he replies "BAH HUMBUG!" Feedback?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? {pleading puppy dog eyes}Pweeeeeese?!?!?!?!?!?!? ************************ "Did Norman Bates have a motive? Did they ever figure out why Hannibal Lector liked to eat people? DON'T THINK SO!" -Billy Loomis 'Scream' ************************ "If only there was a button somewhere that I could push to force me to stop talking." --Claire Danes as Angela Chase on My So-Called Life ************************* _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: sah (by way of sah ) Subject: BUFFYFIC: ADMIN: List rules Date: 21 Apr 1998 16:16:41 -0400 (EDT) Welcome! This list is for fiction related to "Buffy The Vampire Slayer," both the TV series and the movie. To ensure that we all get to enjoy as much fiction as possible, please adhere to the following guidelines, and please save them for future reference. 1. Fiction should have Buffy characters in it and clearly be related to Buffy. Crossovers are great, and expected, but general vampire/monster stories that aren't in the Buffy universe and don't use Buffy characters belong somewhere else. 2. Discussion of posted fiction is permitted onlist. Please put "DISCUSS" in your subject line. Requests for missing story parts should go directly to the author, and not be posted to the list. 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If you have any questions about these rules, please contact either one of us offlist. If you have subscription problems or questions, the fastest way to get help is to e-mail one of us at the addresses below, at the kirby@xmission.com addy which is the "official" e-mail owner of the list. Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) & sah (romana@mindspring.com) Listowners, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Fiction List buffyfic@xmission.com -- sah * romana@mindspring.com * romana@aol.com NatPack * BotCoS * Jungle Patrol * BBPGrrl:TGLIL * Bishop * BTVS Listowner Nat's B&B: http://free.prohosting.com/~romana/natpack/html My homepage: http://free.prohosting.com/~romana/index.html "In front of me, facing me and the bank of journalists, was the Senate Judiciary Committee: Fourteen white men in dark grey suits." Anita Hill ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: A Stroke of Luck (Part 8) Date: 21 Apr 1998 18:07:12 -0700 For Disclaimers see part 1 A Stroke of Luck (part 8) ~ Or where you only try to trap me ~ ~ These are the rules I make ~ Willow awoke suddenly. She didn't even know she'd been asleep. Candles were lit all around her, sending an eerie shiver down her spine. Looking around in the dim light she noticed that she'd been sleeping in Drusilla's bedroom, her eyes immediately averted to the place she had seen the holy water. But it was now gone. Frowning she went to get out of the bed, quickly becoming aware that she was tucked under the covers. Willow blinked. Hadn't she thrown off the covers? Perhaps not. Willow pushed herself up so that she was sitting on the bed. Her eyes widened in near horror. She was wearing a white dress! A long... Old looking... Antique... Dress... Which she had most definitely had not been wearing hours before. A modest blush come over Willow, as she thought of the only way Spike had gotten a dress on her. She wanted to run now! To get out of the bed, and run! But when she went to stand up, she felt something next to her feet. No more surprises she begged. Looking over the covers, there sat, merely kicks away from being dropped onto the floor a platter covered under a lid. Her stomach was aching from hunger, as she leaned down to look at it, happy that her head was no longer spinning. Willow went to eagerly open up the cover, after not haven eaten since she'd been kidnapped. But fear struck her. What if it wasn't food? A zillion things could be hiding underneath a large lid like this. Her stomach growled, and she almost blushed... Willow looked around the room, as though she thought someone may be watching her, but there was no-one. Willow bit her lip, unsure. Standing up, trying to avoid the tray She tried to walk to the door. Her feet wobbled unsteadily, the floor creaked beneath her and she jumped, tripping herself in the process. She clung to the nearby door for support. Brushing some stray hair from her face, she went to open it. "Of course" She hissed, as the knob didn't turn. Taking a large breath in she walked back to the bed with rage of being locked up, in an abandoned warehouse, and threw open the cover of the tray... There sat a large pizza, just sitting there. Willow laughed bitterly... But fear struck her again, and she shut up.. He could still be in the warehouse... listening... watching... "Buffy? Where are you?" She asked and laid her head down on the bed. Willow looked like a picture, a young maiden with hair pooled around her face. A white dress spilling around her, crying in her antique bed... Prisoner, to one of the most dangerous vampires she'd ever met. -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html 'We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure (Wish) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: KylenRevik Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Contemplation" (1/1) Date: 22 Apr 1998 15:09:26 EDT Okee. Hullo. :) This is my first posting since subbing to this list, like, two days ago. Though I've written in the "Star Trek", "seaQuest" (both DSV and 2032) and "Kindred: The Embraced" universes, this is the first *finished* piece of Buffy fic I've ever put up in a public forum. Also, this isn't even the sort of story I usually do-- it's a sort of monologue. So if anyone has any comments, I'd love to hear 'em, just drop me an e-mail. :) All standard disclaimers apply, I just haven't been hanging out in this universe long enough to know 'em by heart yet. Please direct all comments to KylenRevik@aol.com (that'd be me), and please do not forward or redirect this story without my express permission. Let me know if I messed up anywhere, kindly, please? Thank you. :) ~ "Contemplation" Yes, I'm Buffy Summers. I don't know why I'm here, no. My mom dropped me off and said she'd be back in an hour. I don't need a shrink. No, I'm not in deni-- That's a stupid joke, you know that? She thinks I'm depressed. I've been quiet lately. No, I'm not. How do I know I'm not? Because I'm...well, I'm not. I'm driven. I'm able to focus easily onto one task and stick to it. It's not reflected in my grades, no. So what's wrong with me, then? She thinks it must be boys. I broke up with my boyfriend a few weeks ago. Yeah, it was messy. Not really. I miss him, but it's not all-consuming or anything. I just wish I didn't have to see him all the time. No, we don't work together. No, we aren't classmates-- he's...not my age. He's a little older. College. I don't know. Why _don't_ you believe me? I'm not lying. He's not my age. No, he was a nice guy while we were dating. It's since then that he's gotten...creepy. I don't see what business it is of yours! And no, I don't want to sit down! I'm fine pacing, thank you very much. Just...look, my mom'll be here in a while, why don't I just go downstairs and wait for her. What do you mean, you can't _let_ me! Listen, buster, if you-- That? From last week. I hopped a fence and scratched my arm. God, what are you, nuts? No, I didn't try to slit my _wrists_, Jesus! What's wrong with you? Well, there's nothing wrong with _me_. I know that. Yes, I'm sure. Yeah. It's all paranoid fantasy and delusion on the parts of the adults around me. Would you just leave me alone? Alone. A-l-o-n-e. You're as bad as Willow and Xander. They're friends of mine. Yes, Xander is his real name. No, he's not my ex. You _are_ nosy, aren't you. You think I _care_ that's what my mom's paying you for? I didn't ask her to bring me here, you know. Leave me alone. I'm fine. It's none of your business. Leave me alone. How many times do I have to say it? You want me to come up with some kind of delusional fantasy world so you can diagnose me as nuts? Okay, then how's _this_?! My ex is a vampire. He was before, too, but there were these Gypsies who cursed him years and years ago so he'd have a soul, and we met while I was slaying vampires. I'm the Slayer, you see. I kill vampires. It's my fate. The reason I've been upset lately is because two other vampires and my ex are trying to screw my life up by killing my friends. That delusional enough for you? Huh? Is it? Jeez. Yeah. Okay, so I've been upset lately. But... No, I don't know. I don't think so. Not really. I wish I didn't. Leave me alone, would you? How much longer? Can't be. I've been here half of forever so far. Fifteen minutes. Well, now it's only another forty-five. God, would you just leave me alone...yeah, I'm going to sit over here. And you know what, I'm not going to talk to you till I damn well want to. I don't care if I never talk to you again, and stop asking me those stupid questions. I won't answer them. How much longer? Thirty-seven minutes. How much longer? Thirty-two. I wasn't going to ask. I was going to blow my nose. Yeah. I've had a cold. How much-- twenty two minutes. Thanks. How-- Ten? Okay. I'm getting my things together. What do you mean, I can't yet? You can't boss me around, you know. No, not because I'm going to slay you. I only do that with vampires. Face it, buddy. You wanted a nutcase, I can give you one. No. I won't be back. If you want me to prove it, meet me in the cemetery some time. Later. End. Copyright 1998 Rachel Brody ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: KylenRevik Subject: BUFFYFIC: "A Moment's Redemption" (3/3) Date: 22 Apr 1998 19:52:58 EDT The first thing she was aware of was that she was alone. Completely, utterly alone. The warmth that had been curled around her for the night was gone, the bed was empty. And Buffy felt a tremor shiver through her body as she slowly sat up. The now-dry blood on the pillow told her the night before hadn't been a dream. When she ran her fingers through her hair, dark red dust fell and affixed themselves to her fingertips. She felt tears welling up in her eyes, and stood, moving to the window, touching the shades just enough to move them so she could see the sunlight that slipped in beneath them. *Oh, God...* she thought, sinking to the floor and holding herself tightly, leaning against the wall. *Angel...* But he was gone. If he hadn't been lying, and she was sure he hadn't been, then he was gone and she might never see him, never have him, never be with him again, she'd be alone the rest of her life because after Angel who else could compare, and... She felt a sob coming before it manifested, and she buried her face deep in her arms to smother the cries. *Angel...* she thought again, her voice softer in her mind. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, trying not to feel, not to think, and failing miserably. She slowly pushed herself up from the floor, making her way back to her bed and collapsing into the pillows and the blood that was again mixing with her tears. She almost didn't see the folded sheets of paper that someone-- Angel-- had laid on the pillow next to her. Fumbling, she picked them up and ran her finger over the lettering. The note read, simply, "Buffy" Her fingers couldn't unfold the paper fast enough. She read the note aloud, her voice trembling. My love, It's nearly morning. The sun is going to rise in an hour, maybe two, and I don't have much time-- barely enough to write you this. I'm sorry. I was selfish. I shouldn't have come to you, because I know all I've done is make things harder for you. Please forgive me. I had to see you again, though, and the demon that controls me was willing to strike a deal, for one night. That night is almost over now, and I don't think I'll be able to hold onto myself for much longer. He's restless, and I can feel him inside me already, and I have to leave here before he takes over-- because I don't know what I might do if I lose control of myself with you nearby. Be strong, Buffy. I love you. I always will. You'll win this crusade, somehow, and one day we _will_ be together again. I'm staring at your closet now, where you keep your stakes. Wondering if it might not be easier for you to wake up with nothing but a pile of ash and wood on your floor, but I don't think I could do that, either. This way, at least you've still got hope. That some day we'll be together again. Because we will. I promise you that. Despite that, I want you to know...if it ever comes to a point where your only option is to kill me, do it. You don't know what kind of life this is, to live inside something and know what's going on and have no power to control it. I'm still not sure why I was allowed to come back for this one night, and I'm not entirely sure what the price for tonight will be. So if anything happens and you need to kill me to defend yourself or any of your friends, know now that I would never hold it against you, and I would rather die my Final Death than to see harm come to you. I wanted to keep you safe. To protect you. I never thought I would hurt you as badly as I know I have. Your love, always, Angel. By the time she reached the end of the letter, tears were streaming down Buffy's cheeks. It was all she could do to keep from blurring the letters on the page. It was a long time before she was able to put the paper down and go about the business of recursing her home so Angelus wouldn't be able to enter it again. //Down, down, down. Will the fall never come to an end?// -October Project, "Sunday Morning Yellow Sky" THE END Copyright 1998 Rachel Brody *All lyrics are by October Project, from their CD "Falling Farther In", from Epic Records. They are used without the group's permission. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Just a Little Revenge (1/1) Date: 22 Apr 1998 16:52:27 PDT Author: Sara B. Sara114@hotmail.com Title: Just a Little Revenge Dsclmer: I don't own 'em! Summary: This is just a little fic that takes place one week after BB&B. Feedback: Yes Please! Just a little Revenge “Oh, God...that was so sad,” Willow Rosenburg sobbed, trying to control her trembles as she walked down the dark road. “All those people,” Cordelia bawled, “They all died...*snif*...it was all so...so tragic.” She wiped her eyes with her shirt sleeve, not caring if her makeup ran down her face. “That was the most beautiful and horrible thing I have ever seen,” Buffy wailed beside her two friends. “That should never have happened, he should never have died and left her!” She sniffled loudly and Willow handed her a tissue from her pocket. “Thanks,” she cried, accepting it gladly. “Oh come on!” Xander Harris said, his annoyance more than obvious. “It’s just a movie!” “How can you say that?” Willow scratchy voice said. “It is not _just_ a movie!” Xander cocked his head. “It is too _just_ a movie. And not only that, it’s a movie that you have all seen four times, and yet you still sob and wail and cry at the end!” “How could you not cry? He died!” Buffy exclaimed through her tears. “So? How can you want to watch all that mushy stuff?” Xander said. “Ugh, Xander, you are such a man,” Cordelia said with disgust, while clutching onto his arm as they walked down Rovello Drive. “Gee, really? I hadn’t checked lately,” he replied sarcastically. “But how can you not go back and see it? It is the best movie! The romance of Jack and Rose is so intense!” Buffy exclaimed, dreamy eyed through her tears. “And Leonardo DiCaprio is so cute!” Willow sighed. “Isn’t he? And what about Billy Zane? He has a certain, Billyosity.” “Billyosity? Come on, Willow! The guys a putz! And that DiCaprio guy is a pansy!” Xander exclaimed, disgusted. “A pansy? He is NOT a pansy!” Cordelia fumed, slightly jabbing her boyfriend in the ribs. “Is too!” He retorted. “You’re just jealous!” Buffy said defensively of the actor. “Oh yeah? Well what about Kate Winslet? She is HOT! And that nude scene, whoa boy! I could watch that over and over. Ah, hell, just give me the drawing!” Xander said, with a grin. “Xander! You are such a perv!” Willow said, and blew her nose on a tissue. “That was such a romantic scene and your acting like all it was--was a free chance to see a girl naked!” “And is there anything wrong with that?” He asked. “Oh yeah? Well what if Leo had done a nude scene?” Buffy asked, her face still damp from tears. The look of disgust on Xander’s face gave Buffy her answer. “That would NOT have been okay.” “Why not?” Willow questioned. “Well...well...just...um....just because!!!” He exclaimed. “Oh, great answer,” Cordelia said sarcastically. “Well anyway, the only cool part about the movie was when the ship went down. I mean, I laughed so hard when that guy fell and hit the propeller--” “XANDER!” All three girls yelled in unison. “Are you saying that ‘Titanic’ had no emotional effect on you at all?” Buffy questioned. “You didn’t feel one thing when you watched fifteen hundred people die?” “Well, it had a little effect. It..it was a little sad,” he mumbled, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Only a little?” Cordelia asked. “Okay, it was really said. But nothing to cry over!” Xander said quickly. “So you’re telling us that you didn’t once shed one little tear through out the whole movie?” Willow asked, staring at him intently. “N..n..no!” He yelled, feeling his cheeks turn red. “Oh really? So who was that sniffling next to me, then?” Cordelia questioned, arching an eyebrow. “I..I..uh...” he stammered. The three girls looked at him with knowing expressions. He sighed. “All right! So I did cry! But only a little!” “So the big macho guy admits it. Alexander Harris cried during ‘Titanic’,” Buffy laughed, amused. “I’m warning you, Slayer! Don’t tell anybody!” He growled. “Or what? You’ll hurt me?” She asked, pretending to be scared. “Don’t worry, Xander. I won’t tell a single soul! Wouldn’t want to bruise your fragile male ego.” “Good. ‘Cause you know, I have a rep to protect!” Xander said defensively. Cordelia snorted. “What rep?” “Duh! My rep as a stud,” he said. The three girls couldn’t help but laugh. “The only rep you have, Harris, is being a geek!” Cordelia giggled. Xander sported a hurt look. “That was harsh!” “Oh, I’m sorry,” she apologized, giving him a pouty look. “Can you forgive me?” “Yeah, I guess,” he grumbled, his girlfriend squeezing his arm tighter with a big grin on her face. “But the movie is still nothing to get worked up over.” “Well I don’t care what you think. It was a tragic movie, and I love it. I think I could go back and see it again!” Buffy exclaimed, her eyes twinkling. “Yeah! We should go tomorrow!” Willow squealed, a broad smile on her face. Xander groaned loudly. “Not again!” “Well no one said _you_ had to go with us,” Buffy said. “I’ll just ask Angel if he wants to go.” “And I’ll ask Oz,” Willow said, her cheek growing slightly red at the thought of asking him to go with her. Cordelia gave her two friends a mischievous grin. “And I can ask Devon if he wants to go.” Xander’s eyes opened wide at the mention of her ex-boyfriend. “Excuse me! You are NOT going to go see _that_ movie with...with HIM!” Cordelia stifled her laugh. “I forbid it!” “You can’t forbid me to do anything. Besides, you won’t go with me, so who is?” She questioned. “I...I don’t know! Ask...ask Giles or something!” “Giles?” Buffy burst out laughing. “Like old stuffy Giles would go to the movies with us! Let alone go see ‘Titanic!’” “But--but----” Xander stuttered, knowing he was losing the battle. “OH Fine! I’ll go see ‘Titanic’ again with you.” “Thank you,” Cordelia said, kissing him on the cheek. “Yeah, yeah,” he muttered, annoyed at himself for giving in so easily. “But it will be the _last_ time, you hear me? The LAST.” “Fine, fine. That last time. Just as long as you go with me,” Cordelia grinned. “Gee, Xander. You’re such a nice guy! Going to see a chick flick and all,” Willow teased. “Yeah? Well I’d like too see you try to get Oz and Angel to go! They’d rather be dead than go see that movie.” “Well Angel doesn’t have to worry about that cause he’s already dead, and Oz wouldn’t mind,” Buffy said, using one of Xander’s jokes against him. “Do you three like to gang up on me? Do you get your jollies out of it?” Xander asked. “It’s just so easy to do,” Buffy laughed as they reached her house. “Aww...don’t get so defensive! We are just getting you back for that little stunt you pulled last week,” Willow said. “It’s the perfect punishment. “Oh come on, guys! I didn’t know the spell wouldn’t work!” He exclaimed. “Yeah, but you were stupid enough to do it! And don’t think that watching ‘Titanic’ over and over again is all the punishment you will get,” Cordelia said, walking into Buffy’s house. “What do you mean by that?” Xander asked suspiciously. “Oh just a little revenge,” Willow said, and Cordelia led him up the stairs with Buffy and Willow close behind. **TEN MINUTES LATER** “I am NOT going out like this!” Xander shouted, staring at his reflection in the mirror. “You are too!” Willow exclaimed, her laugher ringing through out the house. “You can’t make me!” He yelled. “Maybe we can’t, but we can get proof,” Buffy snickered, pulling out her Polaroid camera. “NO! NO! YOU CAN’T DO THIS TO ME!” He screeched, running out of her room. “Quick! Grab him!” Willow shouted, pulling on his skirt. Buffy grabbed his arm and pulled him back into her room. Xander struggled but Buffy was too strong and held him in place while Cordelia snapped the thirty-six roll exposure film. “Noooooooo!” He wailed, but it was too late. They had their evidence. **NEXT DAY AT SCHOOL** “How could you have done this to me?” Xander groaned, hiding behind the large desk in the library. “How could you ask Amy to cast a spell making every woman fall in love with you?” Cordelia asked. “IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!” He yelled. “The spell was only meant for you!!!” “Yeah, yeah,” Cordelia said, filing her nails. Giles came bursting into the library. “My God! Have you seen those pictures? They are posted all around the school!” “WHAT?!!” Xander screamed, and jumped up, banging his head on the desk. “Tell me that isn’t true!” Giles started to laugh. “So that was you?” “Cordy! You told me they would only be put on the library doors!” She smiled evily. “I did, didn’t I? Whoops!” “I can’t believe you did this to me!” He groaned, and went back to hiding under the desk. Giles walked over the Cordy. “It worked,” he whispered, and she grinned widely at him. “I told you so,” she said. **IN THE HALLWAY** In the hallway, a mob of students crowded around the 12x14 picture that was taped to the trophy case. “Can you believe that?” “I knew that guy was a pansy!” “I thought he was rather cute, until now.” “Man, whoever did this was definitely seeking the ultimate revenge.” “I never knew he liked to wear women’s clothing!” “Look at all that makeup on his face!” “And that wig!” “What a dork!” In the middle of the mob stood Buffy and Willow, admiring their handy work. The picture of was Xander, wearing Joyce’s bright pink dress. His curly, yellow wig contrasted the electric blue eye shadow and cherry red lipstick that had been so carefully applied to his face. “Like I said,” Willow grinned, “just a little revenge.” THE END ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: KylenRevik Subject: BUFFYFIC: "A Moment's Redemption" (2/3) Date: 22 Apr 1998 19:52:54 EDT See Part 1/3 for all the other stuff, this is the story! ~ At home, curled up in her bed, Buffy let the tears come. Sobs wracked her body as she tried again and again to tell herself it hadn't mattered, that when the sun rose she would be able to forget what had taken place tonight, and it wouldn't hurt her anymore. She was shivering hard, her pillow already soaked with tears and a pile of tissues slowly growing in her wastebasket. That bastard. She had thought there might have been some chance, however small, that Angel's soul would have been reachable...but if it was, she knew he never would have let the demon that controlled him say those things, make him feel this way. And his performance had been so _convincing_. Not even fighting back. The way he had just stared up at her, his eyes wide and showing such pain and betrayal, had made her falter for barely a second. She'd held herself together so she wouldn't show him how badly he'd hurt her, but now all she could do was wish she had been stupid and gullible enough to take him at his word. To let him touch her, to let herself feel him close to her again. She was still crying when there was a light scratching sound at her window. Taking a breath, she blew her nose and swiped at her tears, then forced the emotion down and moved, as if enchanted, toward the window. The spell broke itself the moment she laid eyes on him. "No," she whispered softly. His eyes sought her out, burning through the glass, and he motioned her to open the window. She did, putting her coldest glare. "Get--" "Buffy," he cut her off, and the way his voice sounded wasn't quite natural-- wasn't what she'd have expected him to sound like. "Let me talk. Please. Just...five minutes. If I can't convince you in five minutes that _I'm not lying to you_...I'll go." The part of her that was screaming at her to be a Slayer and not a sniveling, lovesick child was buried beneath the rest, and she nodded. "Five minutes." He took a deep breath, then swallowed and looked at her. His voice shook when he spoke. "And now I don't even know where to start," he said softly. Then he sighed. "I just...I want you to know how sorry I am. How much I care for you." "You're not making any impressions," she snapped, wishing it were the truth. "I'm not surprised. I've seen what he-- I've done to you, in the memories... Buffy, I swear, one day I'll make sure the demon is destroyed. I just don't know how, yet. Don't know how to make it up to you." He took a quick breath. "I just want you to be safe. And to remember that no matter what I may say, tomorrow or afterward, I love you. Whatever part of me he can't control, loves you. More than anything, than any_one_, I've known in over two centuries. You're the first good thing that's happened to me. You're the only person who ever made me feel human." He looked at her unchanging expression for a long moment, taking another short breath as red tears began to form in the corners of his eyes, threatening to spill over. "You don't believe me, and I don't blame you, but...I wish there was some way I could find to prove it to you." As Buffy listened, she felt her own throat constricting, even as she heard Angel's voice getting more and more shaky. She looked at him, and was amazed to see the blood tears that were slowly trickling down, across the smooth landscape of his skin. She bit back the words that rose to her lips, knowing if she spoke the Slayer in her would be buried once and for all underneath the torn young woman who only wanted her love back, and nothing else. She'd lose the battle that had begun the moment she had realized the Angel she loved was gone. Angel's eyes left her, falling to the branches he was balanced in so precariously. They lingered there a moment before returning to her face. "You don't know how many nights I spent sitting here, watching you sleep," he said softly. "Wishing I could be in there, with you. Protecting you." Almost before she realized it had happened, something inside Buffy broke. She didn't have the strength to resist anymore, and the tears she'd been holding back till that moment flooded her eyes and blurred her vision. It was in that moment that Angel leaned forward and kissed her gently, then pulled away and whispered. "I won't ask to come in. I know you don't want to have to re-curse your house so I can't once I go back to being who I was, at sunrise." He swallowed. "But...the porch. Please." Her lips still feeling the touch of his, Buffy nodded and moved away from the window, then turned and ran down the steps, glad her mother had gone out of town for the weekend. She couldn't explain this to herself-- certainly, then, she couldn't explain it to her mother. She fumbled with the lock for a few seconds before the door let her push it open, then she stepped out into the night. From the shadows, stepped Angel. He stood in front of her for a long moment, as though afraid that if he tried to touch her, she'd crumble to dust in his hands. Finally, just when Buffy felt there was no way she could stand it any longer, he reached up and took her face in his hands, leaning down to affix his lips to her own. They stood like that for too long for Buffy to keep track of time. She was lost in him the moment they touched, as soon as their lips closed on each other's and their tongues began to cautiously, slowly move into each others' mouths. Nothing between them was touching, except their lips, and Buffy's eyes fell shut of their own accord as soon as he had touched her. Previously separated, now they were one, together, two parts of one whole and now joined for a few brief seconds that somehow stretched into an eternity. There was something warm on her face-- and his was stained with the blood from his tears. The tears themselves had mingled with her own when they had been kissing, and now both were stained with blood and salt and water. When she finally felt the slight sensation of him pulling away, Buffy knew there was nothing she could doubt about his story, now. He had been telling her the truth. And she hadn't believed him. "Angel, I..." "Shh, love," he whispered, kissing her gently again. This one didn't last nearly as long as the last, but it meant no less than the one that had come before it. "I know." Feeling a sudden sob wrack her body, Buffy collapsed against him, tears streaming down her face as they began to flow anew. She couldn't let him go, couldn't let herself lose him again... "Shh, shhh," he said soothingly, his arms around her and his hands stroking her back and hair gently. His cheek rested against the top of her head, drinking in the scent of her hair, as she cried in his arms. By the time she pulled away, there were stains in her hair from Angel's tears. "I'm sorry," she whispered. Then she gave him a slight tug, toward the doorway. "I can't," he said softly. "You can't invite me in or I'll-- " "I'll recurse it," she said, her voice still quiet and shaking, tight from the tears that wouldn't cease. "Please. I'm inviting you in." * Angel swallowed, meeting her eyes-- and saw there only the hard determination and longing he himself felt. Buffy gave his arm another light pull, and he nodded, kissing her softly again. "I love you," he said. "Always." She nodded, and they moved into the living room, up the stairway, into her room. The door had barely shut when she kissed him again. This time, there was more of a desperation in it than before, and when he returned the kiss he felt the hunger both of them were feeling, for one another. It had been weeks since they had been able to be close to each other like this, and neither knew when it would happen again-- and soon his hands were moving under her shirt, and her fingers were working on the buttons of his, and their lips seemed locked together. A sudden, crystal clear thought sprang into his mind. He would hurt her if he did this. Worse than he had when he'd gone back to being a vampire. Going to the Bronze, needing to see her- - he'd been so selfish. He pulled away from her, suddenly. "Stop," he whispered. She drew back, staring at him in shock. He winced, feeling his stomach twist and wondering if she was thinking again that it all might have been a ruse-- Angelus doing his best to hurt her in the guide of her lover. "What?" she asked. Only now her tone was guarded, cautious-- and completely incapable of hiding the fear and betrayal he must have been instilling, deep in her heart. "I...don't want to hurt you," he whispered. "I don't know what he'll do to you tomorrow if we do anything now." "He can't hurt me," she whispered, moving back toward him. It was all Angel could do not to give in. But he summoned every piece of himself he could and hoped it would be enough. Then he placed his hands on her shoulders and shook his head. "No," he said. "That's not true. And he's hurt you too much already." He leaned forward and kissed her lips softly, for just a moment. Then he pulled away, but only enough so he could speak. "I only want to be with you tonight. It may be the last few hours we have together-- for a long time-- and I want to make sure neither of us regrets a moment." She nodded, ever so slightly, and he smoothed her hair away from her face. Then he drew her to him, and held her close, trying to memorize every detail of her. The next hours were a blur of touching, kissing, being, on both their parts-- and it wasn't until they finally curled around each other on Buffy's bed that the Slayer fell fast asleep in Angel's arms. He was left with only his thoughts to keep him company, at that point, but by then the only thing he was aware of was the weight of the woman he loved in his arms. ~ (More to come, comments and critiques appreciated.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: KylenRevik Subject: BUFFYFIC: "A Moment's Redemption" (1/3) Date: 22 Apr 1998 19:52:49 EDT ::evil grin:: Now...HERE's something more my speed. Mwahaha. ~ Acknowledgements: October Project, for their amazing songs. Sarah, for sitting and letting me inflict the aforementioned amazing songs on her and then putting up with me when I finished the story myself. Notes: This is Angst fic. Evil-Angel-Fic (EAF) and Evil-Buffy-Fic (EBF) all in one, neither of which acronyms has quite the same ring to it as "ELF", but ah well, this isn't the seaQuest and I haven't seen a Lucas in Sunnydale, so Buffy and Angel will have to suffice. There's a leetle bit've profanity. All comments/crits please direct to me here (KylenRevik@aol.com), 'cause I thrive on them. :) Disclaimer: BlahblahblahStandardDisclaimerAppliesblahblahblah... Story time! ~ "A Moment's Redemption" //When the darkness falls like a curtain And the night ahead is long and uncertain Dream Beyond the loss and the hope of redemption.// -October Project, "Sunday Morning Yellow Sky" "Willow." "Isn't this great, I mean, Oz says he just _found_ this music--" "Willow," Buffy repeated, her voice shaking slightly. "And then earlier, he was--" "_Willow_!" This time, her friend stopped talking, and looked over at her. "What, Buffy?" "Over there." The Slayer pointed toward the shadows, where a tall, early-twenties young man had stepped out from the darkness of the bar. Willow followed her friend's finger until her eyes met with the same sight. "Omigod, is that..." Buffy nodded, standing and leaving her soda behind. "Yeah." She stepped away from the table. "I'm gonna go figure out what's going on." Willow nodded. "No blood baths at the Bronze. Yeah. Good idea. Should I, um, like maybe go tell Xander--" Buffy glanced across the room to where Xander was flirting with a couple of girls-- who looked utterly bored. "No." "Cordelia?" Cordelia was engaged in activities much the same as Xander's, the difference being that the objects of her attentions didn't look upset in the slightest. Buffy shook her head again. "No, I'll be okay." Willow noddd, and Buffy left, approaching the vampire who stood in the corner, motionless, yet watching her as she moved toward him. She stopped several feet away. "Angel, what are you doing here." She didn't know what he expected. Was this some sort of new twist on the "let's hurt the Slayer" game he seemed to be playing with more and more intensity these days? He was silent for a long few moments, then he swallowed. "I need to talk to you," he said. "But not here." She almost laughed in his face at that. "What, you think I'm just going to _leave_ with you?" She shook her head. "No." Then her glare turned more dangerous. "And Angel, I have stakes with me. So clear out. And don't hurt anybody." She moved to turn around, walk back to Willow and forget this had ever happened, when Angel grabbed her by the wrist. "Buffy, _please_! You don't understand. I'm...me again." She jerked around, tearing her arm away from him. "_What_?! she snapped, her eyes turning hard to cover the wrenching sensation she felt, deep within herself. He shook his head. "It's too hard to explain. I...made a deal. With the demon inside me." He took a quick breath. "Because I couldn't stand not being with you." There was a long pause. "But I'm only like this for tonight. At sunrise--" "Shut up," she snapped. "Even for you, that's low." Then she turned and stalked back to Willow, leaving Angelus behind herself. Willow had been watching the entire exchange, and Buffy shook her head when it looked like her friend was going to question her. "I can't talk about it," she said softly, feeling her voice catch. "Buffy--" "No," she said. "Tell the guys I went home." She picked up her jacket and pulled it on, then slipped out the door before Willow could question her any further. * "Get away from me," Buffy snapped, hearing the door of the Bronze open and shut again behind her. "Buffy--" "Get _away_!" She was shaking with rage as she stalked away, in the direction of her home. He had to hurry. Had to get there as soon as she could. Why Angel hadn't attacked her already, she didn't know-- but she was going to get away from him before she had the chance to find out. She heard him behind her, following her, and bit back the tears that found their way to the corners of her eyes. She would _not_ cry in front of that-- that _monster_. She was walking quickly now, half-afraid he'd follow her. Not wanting to have to look in his eyes if he tried to speak to her again, because she knew all she'd be doing when she saw him would be to search out the shred of him that might bit be lying to her. Caught up in her thoughts, Buffy didn't even see him when he stepped onto the sidewalk in front of her and she'd have run into him if he hadn't spoken aloud, in that horrible, wonderfully smooth voice of his, the voice that had alternately soothed and haunted her. "Buffy, stop." She froze, taking a split second t to realize where he was, his proximity to her. Her heartbeat quickened slightly, and she fought to get it to slow back to normal. This was her Angel. Standing before her now, eyes locked with hers. And she'd been right-- she was searching blindly and stupidly for something, anything in his expression that would tell her he had been sincere back at the Bronze, and he had his soul back. But he was too good an actor for her to find the chinks she knew had to be in his armor. "Buffy," he said again softly, and she could have sworn there was a tear in the corner of his eye. She couldn't answer-- her throat had closed over and there were no words she could find that would have expressed the sheer depth of her fury and pain, the almost self-loathing she felt when she saw him and realized how desperately she wished his words were true. He was a monster, she told herself. He'd threatened Willow. Killed Ms. Calendar. Killed who knew how many other innocents. He'd been tormenting her since the moment he'd lost his soul. She hated him. She had to. "I-- I need to talk to you," he whispered. He moved one hand toward her cheek. "Buffy, you don't know how badly I need you..." She slapped his hand away, and he recoiled as though she'd shoved a stake through his heart. "Don't touch me, you son of a bitch," she hissed. "You don't understand!" he said. There was a brief, silent moment before he spoke again. "I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I didn't know about the curse. That I'd lose my soul." A pause. "Or you." Feeling something twist hard inside her gut, Buffy didn't answer. So he kept talking. "There were a few minutes...I woke up and realized...I couldn't understand what was going on and then it was too late, and I had no way of telling you..." He swallowed hard, then moved to touch her again. This time, though, Buffy didn't stop at dodging his hand. She delivered a quick kick to his throat, then followed with a sharp blow to his stomach-- then she gasped in shock as he didn't fight back and let her knock him to the ground. Now he was staring up at her, motionless. Buffy didn't know how long they stayed like that, staring into each others eyes. Neither spoke until Buffy took a quick breath and hissed, to keep her voice from shaking, "Just stay the hell away from me, you manipulative, soulless _bastard_." Then, before the tears in her eyes spilled over, and he could see what he'd moved her to, she turned and ran away, as quickly as she could. ~ (More to follow...) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: sarah Subject: BUFFYFIC: An Ode To Truth (1/?) Date: 23 Apr 1998 13:51:24 -0400 (EDT) Why, yes! I'd love your comments! An Ode to Truth By Sarah Liz Gordy Disclaimer: Not mine. Props to Joss, cause he's the man with the incredible imagination, and the Cranberries, for musical genius. Like I said, if you recognize it, tis'nt mine. And Rachel, for listening to me babble over pineapple and helping to flood my imagination with song. Though, by the way, I found this one all on my own. Oh yea, it does contain one or two swear words, so kiddies, close your eyes when you see them. I. //Understand the things I say Don't turn away from me... Understand what I've become It wasn't my design// "Ode To My Family" - The Cranberries "Buffy, come into the kitchen, please." Closing the front door, she obligingly trekked to the back of the house and settled into a chair. "You're home early, Mom." "Buffy, we need to talk." Her mother turned from the sink and set down her water glass. Buffy missed the sadness in her eyes. 'She's completely calm. It can't be that bad.' "I'm not sure how to start this." 'Uh oh.' "Buffy, you know I love you very much," Joyce began. 'Oh shit.' "And I never want to do anything to compromise that love." "Mom," Buffy interrupted, "is this about last week?" She remembered that fight. It was one of the larger ones. And Buffy was only through half of her period of grounding for it. "Not exactly. It's about everything, Buffy. I'm at my wits end." 'I can't believe she's this calm. It's like she's going to tear into me, but silently. I think this is worse than last week.' "Putting aside the fact that I never see you, and when I do you treat me like an inconsequential fly on the wall, I'm worried. I Buffy," she looked drained. "We've been around this same block so many times, I'm beginning to think it's not you. That maybe, somewhere I messed up." Overcome with guilt, but not sure how to comfort her, Buffy just listened. "I've been thinking about last summer. Your father offered you a place to stay, if every you wanted to. I'm considering taking him up on his offer. But I wanted to talk to you about it first." Joyce put up a hand to stop the flow of words she knew were coming. Before you say anything, I want you to know that this isn't simply a scare tactic. I'm genuinely worried about you here. Maybe Sunnydale isn't for you. Maybe I shouldn't have taken you from your father, from LA." "No Mom, I don't want to leave you, or Sunnydale. It's just... complicated." "Make it simple." She looked at her mother and tried to find the words. Buffy had promised her self long ago that she would never drag her mother down to her world. At the time it was the perfect plan, but now? 'Kendra's parents knew who she was,' she rationalized. But that was, admittedly, a completely different situation. 'But what about Angel? Not telling Mom my real nature would rank right up there with Angel not telling me about his. Of course, it wasn't a very pleasant situation she I *did* find out, but it went beyond the Vampire/Slayer thing. Oh, that was a big part, but there was also the trust issue. At the time Angel didn't trust me enough to make the right decision. He may have been right. Perhaps I was right holding out on Mom at first. Neither of us was ready. But now...' "Okay." Astounded at the prospect of compromise, Joyce nearly choked on her words. "Excuse me?" Continuing on as if she hadn't heard her mother exclamation, "But I don't think I can do it in 25 words or less. And it's probably a good thing you're sitting down. On second thought, come upstairs with me. I have a few things to show you." Joyce followed her young daughter up the stairs, bewildered at not so much her actions as the sudden confidence she'd not been privy to for years. "Cop a squat. I want you to give me your word that you'll let me say what I have to say before you do anything." Buffy waited expectantly until she had her mother's response. "Alright. Well... um" Buffy looked at her watch. Almost four hours till sundown. "Damn," she muttered. "What?" "It would be a lot easier to show you, but I can't just yet, but in a few hours, I promise to prove what I'm about to claim." "Alright, so claim." "Okay. Well, ya' know X-Files? Well, they have a bunch of really weird things on that show. One of them is government conspiracy. Well, you don't believe all of the conspiracies they go after, but it makes you realize that A) the government can do pretty much what ever they want, and B) people are disgustingly easy to manipulate if you spin it right. They make you believe things that aren't true, and they cover up the truth with convenience. "You want to join the department of defense? "You promised not to interrupt. But no, I don't what to join the DOD. I want to stop covering up the truth with convenience. I think you are ready for it." Joyce raised her eyebrows. "Mom, do you believed in angels? She was caught slightly off guard from the rapid subject change. "Of course, dear." "Then I suppose you believe in devils as well." "I suppose..." "Jesus exorcised a man inhabited by demons." "Alright, I believe in demons. Do you want to become a priest now?" "No Mother," she replied patiently. "Either way, it's not a matter of becoming. I am what I am. I had no choice and I cannot change. But don't worry, I'm cool with that now." Joyce looked at her child in askance. Ignoring her mother's perception of the situation, she continued on. "So, you're cool with demons inhabiting people. Okay. New line of questioning. Do you believe that a person has a spirit, and that something happens to that spirit after death?" "Yes." "Do you believe in ghosts?" "Where is this leading to, please?" "Mom, can you admit that, like government conspiracies, there's stuff out there that not only can we not explain, but neither do we even realize exist?" "I suppose that makes sense." Joyce paused to consider. "You're not trying to tell me that you are a werewolf or something, are you?" Laughing, "No Mom, I'm not even a vampire." "Oh good. That's one career choice I wouldn't approve of." "You may still not approve - give yourself time." "What are you trying to tell me, Buffy?" "Mom... Okay. Throughout time, there have been demons. Along side of the demons, have been those who choose to fight them. And for every generation there has also been one girl who's had no choice - who was born into a legacy that she kinda has to live. I'm one of those girls." "You fight demons," she said, her voice low and disbelieving." "Yes." "Any demons in particular?" she said smiling, thinking how strange her daughter's sense of humor was. Buffy opened her closet, but blocked the view with her body. She brought out a hand full of hewn stakes and tossed them on the bed next to her mother. "Vampires." *** I know you all are *dying* to tell me what you think. Come on, this is the first fic I've ever posted! You don't want to scar me for life, do you? Nah, I didn't think so. And Rach... you *gotta* hear these songs... Until the next part, Sarah Liz x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x X-Phile, x x sarah x FoLC, x x x and adamant believer in Angel's humanity x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x(it's just taken a leave of absence) x x x x x ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: sarah Subject: BUFFYFIC: An Ode To Truth (2/?) Date: 23 Apr 1998 14:04:40 -0400 (EDT) I'm back! I still want your comments! for disclaimer, see first part. An Ode to Truth By Sarah Liz Gordy II. //All the things you said to me today Changed my perspective in every way Those things come to mean So much to me// "Dreaming My Dreams" - The Cranberries She couldn't believe she was here. A cemetery. At night. Besides the outstanding legal issues, it gave her the creeps in a way she did not want to contemplate. If she did, she might have had to admit that maybe it's not just the wind at night. Admit that her daughter wasn't just a really accomplished lair. Admit to Bela Lugosi and Boris Karlof that the only reason she could watch them all those years ago, was because her mother assured her that there were no such things as vampires. Buffy had told her what would happen after dark. Not exactly every gory detail, mind you, but enough so she'd get the gist. Of course even this little foray, assuming for a moment that Buffy was indeed a Slayer (it still sounded strange to Joyce), did not explain everything. Oh, the late nights, low grades, trouble with the principal, and missing clothes (that she realized now where all at one point torn, shredded, or caked with gore) were all covered. However, it did not explain things like her new boyfriend Angel. Well, to a point it did If Joyce were in Buffy's place, she could see that a boy her own age might be rather immature. And though Joyce didn't know the extent of Buffy's physical prowess, if she fought off vampires, a single overzealous twenty-year-old shouldn't be difficult. And then there was the whole mortality issue that Joyce didn't particularly want to face at all. Buffy hadn't said anything about it, but if she'd been completely immune to vampires *that* would have been mentioned. Knowing that you may not live until the ripe old age of thirty, well, it may not make you rush things, but Joyce understood why Buffy lived everyday as if that day counted, really counted. Considering it, she understood so much more - she was so proud of her daughter. At the same time, pondering these things ripped her heart in two. Knowing that your daughter risks her life every single night, instead of doing "normal" teenage things. Knowing that one of these days, she won't come home. Or that after Buffy moves out on her own, that the phone will ring one day, and you'll hear of her demise - a brutal death, to be sure. And that somewhere, there will be a monster with your daughter's blood, her power, and her very essence coursing through his veins. Or the worst scenario of all. That you simply will never hear from her again. That somewhere, there will be a demon with your daughter's stolen body, her lilting voice, her grace, her mind, her memories, everything but her soul. The strength of that vampire would be great. The next Slayer might not be able to exorcise the demon in time for the mass destruction that would inevitable follow the christening of the curse'd one's new host. She dreaded the thought of having to bury her only child, but welcomed it far more than the other option given. So, she steeled herself to that knowledge. One day, she'll have to bury Buffy. Unless she was buried first. But no, she wouldn't think of that right now. Now she had to concentrate on Buffy. Even so, there were circumstances, two in fact, which would necessitate someone else taking care of the body her daughter would leave behind. Who could she talk to? What record was permanent enough? Permanent enough, that if the worst ever happened, someone might know what to do with her ashes? That is, if anyone paused enough to care for a vampire demon that was once a young girl, loved by those around her. Born into something not of her own choosing, she fulfilled her duties the best that she could for as long as she could, protecting for as long as her body would last, as long as her body did not betray her, for her will, Joyce realized, never would. Would a Slayer care that once, the vampire she'd just slew was smart and caring and just a beautiful young girl? Someone who loved and hated, laughed and cried, and tried to enjoy life while she could, painfully aware of her own mortality, unlike the other innocents of her age. Would she stop, after all the vampire's history of carnage, to say a prayer for a soul long departed? Would she let her Watcher advise her that once, long ago, there was someone who loved this now vampire enough to wish a prayer said while her ashes scattered to the fates, mixed with the dust an dirt and trod upon by immortal and mortal alike? Would they know that someone remembered, that someone cared? Would she just slay the immortal body, forgetting that she herself could end with such a fate - going out with neither a whisper nor a bang, but just letting the candle burn? Joyce was snapped from her musings by Buffy's head whipping around. She could see a dim outline of a large, probably male, form. It slowly approached from the shadows. Her distant hope that there were no monsters, no vampires, and no vampire slayers, faded. Everything Buffy said was true. Who else would be walking in a graveyard at night? Then she heard the stranger speak. "Buffy?" The stranger, so intent on his subject and being wary in general, he completely missed the other mortal standing aside, in the shadows of a mausoleum. Buffy, simply happy her mother was taking this all so well, and happy she was out of the house, ran into the open arms of Angel. He held on to her, stroking her hair. "Buffy, you know you shouldn't be out here. If your mother catches you sneaking back in, you'll be in even worse trouble." Joyce smiled from her vantage point, hidden away. 'Maybe he's not *all* bad.' "I know, but..." He didn't let her finish. "I told you I would hunt for you. I know how much it means to you, but Sweetheart, I *am* capable of doing it." "I know, but..." A different, less cultured voice interrupted from somewhere across the graveyard. "There are no exceptions tonight, Slayer," he spat out, the last word an insult. "Our master bids us bring you this message of greeting." "Jeez," she did her best to sound disgusted. "What epoch are you from? Speak American!" She did so love to get on their nerves. A pissed vampire was one who left himself vulnerable at some point. For his part, the herald just glared. "Yea, well, we're waiting," said Angel, standing behind and to the side of Buffy. "Since you feel that way, *turncoat*, you can have the message too. Boys!" Three lanky vampires with beyond ugly game faces emerged from behind the speaker, across from Joyce. Buffy and Angel each brought out a stake. The vampires were standing still one moment, and were almost flying the next - towards her. Towards Buffy and Angel, at any rate. Her daughter seemed to ready herself, calmly shifting into a fighting stance. Angel, however, looked like a tightly coiled spring. A moment before the group of undead demons were before the two, he sprung up with what sounded to Joyce like an inhuman growl of anger. 'How is it,' she thought, 'that a kid like him is able to fight these creatures. Is he special like Buffy? She had mentioned something about those who hunted by choice. Perhaps he is one of those. That would certainly explain the attraction between the two.' Joyce was satisfied with the explanation and continued to watch as Buffy quickly dispatched the three attacking her with the same stake. She was quite comfortable and assured with her logic regarding Angel until after he finished off the single vampire that had attacked him. Angel lounged on a tombstone, waiting for Buffy, but not quite calm enough to erase his game face. It was then that Joyce screamed. *** Well? x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x X-Phile, x x sarah x FoLC, x x x and adamant believer in Angel's humanity x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x(it's just taken a leave of absence) x x x x x ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Sara Barton" Subject: BUFFYFIC: Is there a difference? Date: 23 Apr 1998 15:20:07 PDT Is there a difference between the buffyfiction digest and the buffyfiction list? ~Thanx~ *Sara* ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: A Stroke of Luck (Part 9) Date: 23 Apr 1998 18:58:42 -0700 For Disclaimers see part 1 A Stroke of Luck (Part 9) He was listening to her tears. They were almost music to his ears, were it not for the fact that he kept thinking Drusilla was the one in that room crying. Twice he had almost gotten up to help her, to ease her pain. And twice he had remembered that his Dru was gone. It was the Slayers girl in that room. He wondered what the Slayer was up to? Oh yes, she was off hiding in a hospital building with her dying watcher, were he not dead yet, as Spike assumed. Eventually Buffy would notice her friend was missing though. She'd no doubt put two and two together and come looking for him. Spike wasn't worried though he had full confidence in his fighting abilities. The Slayer may be strong, but she was still mortal. ~~~~~ "Hello? Ms. Rosenburg?" Buffy asked meekly "Yes?" The voice came over the phone "Yeah, it's uh, Buffy I was just... Umm... Wondering if Willow was there?" "Willow? No, I thought she was with you!?" Willow's mother seemed suddenly frightened. "She is with you isn't she?" "Umm.." Buffy thought about her choices.. Tell Willow's mom that she thought Willow might have been kidnapped by vampires or.. "Oh! Yeah! Gee, I think I just saw her with Xander!" There was a large sigh in relief over the other end. "I'm really sorry I bothered you." Buffy said and hung up the phone Buffy turned to Giles and Xander shaking her head "She not there..." "You don't think that Spike would try to hurt her do you?" Cordelia asked "I mean sure you killed the only person he ever loved, while she was defenseless to stop you, and right in front of him, but --" "Okay Cordelia" Xander said bobbing his head "I think we get it" Cordy gave a small humph. "I don't know, but Willow _is_ missing! And I don't plan on just standing by waiting for her to turn up!" -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html 'We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure (Wish) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: A Stroke of Luck (Part 10) Date: 23 Apr 1998 18:59:20 -0700 For Disclaimers see part 1 A Stroke of Luck (part 10) ~ Our chains were meant to break ~ ~ You'll never change me ~ Rolling his eyes, Spike got up. The incessant sobbing hadn't been going on long, nor was she crying loudly. It was more out of sheer boredom he went into the room. When he entered, she didn't notice. Unsure of if he had purposely sneaked in on her, or if she just wasn't paying enough attention. He waited... Spike was taken back by the beauty she held, as she lay there wearing Drusilla's dress. Her hair was dirty, and hung in strands, but the rest of her... She was truly breath-taking. And when her tear-streaked face lifted to meet his, he was taken a back. The vision of Drusilla was suddenly faded, and all he saw was her. Not Willow as a mortal. But Willow as his mistress. But she looked fearful of him. Which immediately broke his reverie, he hated fear, it brought out weakness. "Let me go" She asked in a small voice, as though a child who knew she might not get her wish. Spike inhaled deeply and smiled, shaking his head. He moved to sit across from her. He watched her eyes for a minute as Willow tried to hide her fear of dying, then ran his hand across the side of her head, and through her hair. Willow held her breath as he touched her. And winced when he moved his hand over the bruise on the side of her head. She shuddered in fear and closed her eyes, as though the shear act of darkness would make the horror go away. Spike grabbed her hair and pulled back her head lightly, exposing her throat. Willow whimpered, paralyzed in fear for a second. She had to shake the thoughts out of her head, trying to pull away from him and jerk herself free. Spike's grip tightened, not as though it wasn't strong enough before, but now, his grip on her was *too* strong, he wasn't going to allow her to move at all. Willow felt her resolve slipping and she tried to push him off of her again. It was no use. She could feel his cold breath at her neck and her body trembled. Spike had missed the pleasure of seeing others squirm more than he had thought. A billion evil idea's were suddenly forming in his head. Willow's eyes opened, as she stared into the eyes of her murderer. And every evil thought, plot, idea, and image fell out of Spikes mind, her reddened eyes, and white dress, red hair, and pale cheeks... Spike lifted himself off the bed and stepped away from her She was taken aback. Spike Smiled. Willow Frowned. There was a pause, as Spike stared at her, She could be Dru he thought again. A sob escaped her lips, but by the time Spike had pulled his thoughts together to gaze into the mortals eyes, they were cold and unfeeling again. Furry was suddenly beginning to grow inside of Willow. A strange sort of madness at the knowledge that she was going to die. And with every touch and every stare and every moment of silence it grew. Spike laughed and was about to comment when - "You can kill me and torture me all you want. It won't stop Buffy from killing you." Spike's First thought was of how bold Willow was being, for one in her position. Followed by a more thought out plan of "Who said I was going to kill you?" -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html 'We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure (Wish) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: A Stroke of Luck (Part 11) Date: 23 Apr 1998 19:05:58 -0700 For disclaimers see part 1 A Stroke of Luck (part 11) There was more silence. "What?" Willow gasped in shock. "you're worth far more alive than dead, love" Willow's heart began to sink for the billionth time in the past few days. She looked around the room, thinking about her life, her friends, computers, school all the things that had seemed so important before..... it all seemed pointless now and far away. Her mind followed her eyes to her reflection. Spike, now standing next to her did not appear in the long mirror across from them. It gave her a false sense of hope, that she was not trapped by some crazed monster. Her hand went to her mouth, as she stared at the beautiful stranger in the mirror. And suddenly she understood. ~~~~~~ Buffy was pacing again, the daylight was making her more and more frustrated. And, as much as she hated to admit it, She needed help. If she could only get to Willow she knew that she would be able to fight off who-ever had her, as long as she wasn't... No Buffy thought, Willow would be okay if she could just get to her in time. Only one problem. Buffy was almost positive. More than positive. 99.9 percent sure that the one who had captured Willow was Spike. Just the thought of him was enough to send shivers down her spine. She knew she could fight him. It wouldn't be easy. But Buffy had full confidence in her fighting abilities. But if he had...if he has Willow Buffy knew he won't stall when it comes to killing her... There was no-way she could find him during the daylight. She couldn't think of one other person who could help besides Angel.. Angel, who like every other vampire in Sunnydale, couldn't go out during the day. Buffy Plopped into the chair, and yawned. She glanced at the clocked 3:48 She'd been awake for nearly 32 hours! Buffy shook her head to try to keep awake. It wasn't much good. She thought for a moment. What time did Xander say he'd be back? 7:30 That was a little after the sun came down.. She thought for a moment and then decided the most rational thing to do was sleep. She would need her full strength and energy if she was going to go up against Spike! ~~~~~~ ~ Here comes the cold again ~ ~ I feel it closing in ~ Willow would pay for Buffy's crimes alright but in such the opposite way than it had first appeared. He was behind her again. His cold hands pulling at her waist to rise her up. Nearly paralyzed again with fear she obeyed his unsaid words and rose up off of the bed. His mouth was at her neck again, Whispering words that she didn't hear. That she couldn't listen to because the loud pounding of her heart made was making her deaf, His cold breath made her knee's to go weak, and she found herself collapsed under his support. 'I'm not her' she wanted to cry out! 'let me go I'm not Drusilla!' But out of fear she remained silent. Spike had to help her stand, as Willow watched herself in the mirror being picked up by an invisible man 'Oh yeah, this is fun'. Spike thought as he lifted the mortal up. Willow starred into the mirror as Spike held her up. A few moments passed until Willow was even able to speak. And when she was finally ready her words were almost unable to hear. "I'm not Drusilla" she stated. Spike smiled. No, she wasn't. He knew that, but a part of him wanted her to be. The sick demented part he guessed. What had even inspired him to dress her up in Dru's clothes? Did he want to feel close to his love again? Or did he just want to have some fun until he killed the girl? "Don't worry, love. I don't expect you to fill her shoes. But I really was hoping to get a bit more zest outta you." Willow looked like she actually went another shade lighter, as she tried to stand on her own, hating the feel of Spike hands on her. "C'mon pet, you just found out your gonna live. Doesn't that make you the least bit happy?" "No" She whispered her voice filled with despair. "No it doesn't make me 'happy'" "Why's that?" Spike asked patiently "Would you rather be six feet under the ground? Would being dead suit your fancy?" Willow's voice became a bit louder as anger flooded her sense. "No" She said again. "What then?" "What would make me happy" Willow said staring at her reflection in the mirror, unable to face Spike. "Is to be back home with my family, and friends, to have my life back" Inside Spike smiled. Her anger gave her strength, he'd have to remember that. "Have I taken your life?" Willow looked down afraid to answer that question. And Only when it became apparent that he was waiting for an answer did answers flood her mind. Half telling her to say what he wanted hear, half telling her to say what she wanted to say. She ended up with "Are you going to take my life?" Spike smiled. Three minutes of waiting in silence for her answer, and this is what she comes up with.. He sighed, hadn't he already answered this question? "No, love. We've already been through this." "Then your going to let me go?" Willow asked hopefully Only to see her hope crushed, as Spike's laughter filled the room "You've got to be kidding me." Spike rolled his eyes "And your supposed to be the smart one?" Tears were nearing Willow's eyes, though she wouldn't let them fall. "Then what?" -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html 'We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure (Wish) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: A Stroke of Luck (Part 12) Date: 23 Apr 1998 19:06:42 -0700 For disclaimers see Part 1 A Stroke of Luck (Part 12) ~ You're falling down and ~ ~ All around me falling ~ Spike smiled showing his teeth, which in turn caused Willow to gasp in shock. His teeth came to large points. Each one looking like it's own razor. Willow shook her head in disbelief pleading with her eyes for him to reconsider. She turned back to look in the mirror, and she knew that this was just a game to him. Life or death to her. But to Spike it was just for fun, just for fun because of how much he missed his Drusilla and how much he hated Buffy. "Then I'm dead" she said dully. "Undead love." Spike corrected "Either way, I'm gone. Willow is gone" "Don't act so melodramatic," Spike laughed "I could've just left you hanging in a cellar for the past days, and killed you, a little gratitude is in order." "Gratitude?" Willow asked breathlessly Spike rolled his eyes, and began walking nearer to her. Willow backed away, with each of his steps forwards, until she hit the bed. Spike stopped. "Don't act so afraid." "I don't want to be a vampire." She said. "That's nice." Spike said stepping closer again. Willow flung herself over the bed, and crawled to the opposite side as Spike. "Oh C'mon Willow, your being childish, It'll only sting for a minute." Willow shook her head at the cocky smile on his face, and looked around for a weapon of some sort, anything she could use against him. Spike slowly walked around the side of the bed towards her. "It's not like your gonna remember your life fondly anyways." Spike continued. "Your not going to think back and wish for old times" If he was trying to calm her, it wasn't working. Willow had no intention of becoming a crazed blood-sucker. She didn't want to be the one causing all her friends pain. Spike was getting closer and she still didn't have a weapon. Grabbing the first thing that came into her head she threw at him, and, of course - that first thing just happened to be a pillow. Spike laughed, and was caught unaware at the next thing she threw at him. It landed directly on his chest. Of course it didn't hurt him at all, but left him disoriented as he grabbed the doll, and looked at it. He could still remembered the very first time he had met Dru. She was so beautiful, and he was immediately charmed by her. She'd been carrying the doll at the time, she had looked like a lost child. He soon came to realize that she always carried that doll around. Fondly named Miss Edith after her sister. When he had first met Drusilla she had never talked of her family, he'd learned of them from Angelus, who was constantly tormenting her about them. He'd killed her family off. Tortured every last one. He'd taken everything that was precious to Dru. Her life, her family, her purity and innocence... And even when she had nothing left for him to take, he found something, and he took her soul. Spike was jarred back into reality when he was hit with a tray. He looked back at Willow as she grabbed another pillow and threw it at him. Spike tossed the doll lightly on the bed and went to her. "Enough" He hissed. "Your not getting away from me Willow." Spike continued softer "You know that." He stepped closer to her until they were nearly an arms length away. Spike reached out his hand. Willow stared at it. There had to be someway out! Her mind screamed to her. Someway to survive, but she was so tired inside. How was she supposed to defeat a 150 year old monster? 'I'm so sorry Buffy' She said in her head 'I'm sorry I couldn't be strong like you... for you.' She cast her eyes downwards. "Your right, Spike." She said softly, her voice sounding much older. She reached her hand out slowly. Until her hand rested gently in Spikes. Spike pulled her to him. He could feel her determination fall and saw as her will to fight back died in her eyes. He spun her around, and held her hand around her stomach. Trapping her in, and holding her close to him. Using his other hand he pulled her hair away from her neck. Willow inhaled deeply, waiting for him to bite her. He kissed her neck, "When you awake Willow." Spike began "you'll be a new person." "When I awake" she said returned, titling her neck to the side, for him. "I'll be truly damned" ~ Stroke of luck or a gift from God? ~ ~ Hand of fate or devil's claws? ~ Spike grabbed her stomach much tighter, yanking him to her, and knocking the breathe out of her. Willow gasped in shock, suddenly afraid. Spike leaned over her, and she could feel his smirk. Willow couldn't breathe, it hardly mattered. She knew this was just for show but it didn't stop her nerves from shaking. Spike breathed on her neck for a minute, imitating the classic vampire horror scene, and sank his fangs into her throat. Willow's eyes opened wide in shock, pain coursed all threw her body. She should have known. The pain involved never even entered her mind, she should have understood that having a set of sharp teeth in your neck would hurt like hell.. Willow tried to kick away from Spike, and hit him, he had both her hands securely grasped, and she soon found herself writhing in pain, tears streaming down her face. She tried to scream, but as the scream reached her lips it was sucked away, with her blood. -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html 'We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure (Wish) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: A Stroke of Luck (Part 13) Date: 23 Apr 1998 19:07:34 -0700 For Disclaimers see part 1 A Stroke of Luck (part 13) Spike felt her pain, and tightened his grip around her waist. Her blood was so sweet, it coursed through his veins singing, giving him strength. He felt her get weaker and weaker by the second. He was taking his time, he knew he shouldn't. It wasn't that he wanted her to suffer.. well.. actually that's exactly what it was about. He wanted her to suffer, he wanted the slayer to suffer. She was laying in his arms now, she had no strength to hold herself up. His grip on her was so tight... it didn't matter though. Spike licked his lips. ~ From below or saints above? ~ ~ You come to me now ~ It was like a dream. She felt Spike loosen his grip, and she thought for a second that she was going to fall. She felt so dizzy as he lifted her up, and it was like she was floating when he gently laid her on the bed. "Your bloods so sweet, Willow" Spike said, as he caressed her cheek, pushing away the stray hair. Willow couldn't think. She heard him talk, but his words were nothing but gibberish. His hands on her, felt like weights pounding in her skull, and she wanted to hit him away. But she had no energy to move. Spike smiled, looking down at her dying body. He knew she was conscious though her eyes were closed, and she couldn't move. He stepped back for a moment and stood above her, and bit his wrist with razor sharp fangs. He shuddered, always hating to do that, and gently laid his wrist over Willow's mouth. She could smell his blood, and feel it as it hit her lips. She had no strength though, no energy. And suddenly she felt hopeful. As though she might die, and not become a hideous creature. But her instincts suddenly took her over. Her will to live, and it's drive was strong. She managed to open her lips, as his energy poured into her mouth she felt herself lose control and her instincts threw her at the source of life. ~~~~~~ "Buffy?" She heard her name being called. Buffy groaned at first not wanting to get up from her slumber. "Buffy, it's Xander, C'mon wake up" Buffy was about to hit Xander for waking her when she remembered - Willow. She had to get to Willow. Willow was in danger. Her eyes flew wide awake. "Willow" She whispered as her mind started thinking of places she may be. Buffy jumped up, immediately glancing at the clock. Damn it, her mind hissed. It was nearly 8:30. "I have to go" Buffy said, she was in one of her commanding moods the others knew to well, but this time was different... "Stay here n the hospital room, with Giles" She said and began to walk out of the room "Wait! Wait one second." It was Xander.. and he was getting his coat. "Xander." Buffy began "I don't have time for this." "I'm coming with you" He said bluntly "What about Giles?" Buffy said trying to create a diversion. "He's safe. He's in a hospital room, no-ones gonna hurt him" Buffy gave him the 'oh, didn't you hear, we live in Sunnydale and no place is safe' look. "I'm either going with you or I'm going on my own." He said, looking painfully serious. There was silence as Buffy considered her options. Xander was Willow's best friend. She knew that he would go, with or without her permission... Turning around and grabbing her coat, the two walked out the door, together -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html 'We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure (Wish) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Love's Revival (1/?) Date: 23 Apr 1998 21:56:10 EDT Title: Love's Revival (1/?) Author: Michelle Email Addy: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG Spoiler: All episodes up to Killed By Death Feedback: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!! Disclaimer: Buffy and the gang belong to Joss Whedon, the WB, etc. The Story and the characters not part of the regular cast are mine! Sumary: Buffy and Angel cope with the thought of love between eachother while Angel is still evil. Buffy must face some old horrors as well as some new ones. IMPORTANT: Sequal to The Dark One Series. This story is explained as best as I could to fill in the blanks but you have to read "The Dark One" to understand it. You can check it out as well as all my other stories at: http://members.aol.com/aglx/buffywrittings.html Love's Revival Part 1 Buffy lay curled up in the corner of her room. Her hair and clothes were soaked, but she couldn't care less. She had run home in the pouring rain, Angel filling her every thought. Her once lover had saved her from the deadliest creature on earth, and then had left without a trace. 'Does he still love me? Why would he save me? Is he even capable of love?' The sound of the doorbell interrupted her deep concentration. Buffy got up, put on a robe and made her way downstairs to answer the door. "Buffy, you're hurt and wet. What happened?" Xander asked as he pushed his way through the door. "Long story." "You're going to die of pneumonia if you don't get out of those clothes." "Maybe," Buffy said distracted. "Buffy, you're starting to freak me out here. What happened?" His voice was stronger and Buffy snapped out of her daze once again, to realize she had no idea what he just said. "Come on, lets get you cleaned up," he said sincerely as he peeled a few wet strands of hair away from her eyes. He led her upstairs and then called Willow to come over. _____________ "Buffy, are you sure you're okay?" Willow asked, looking at Buffy's wounded face in the mirror. "Yeah, I'm better now." Buffy tucked her hair behind her ears and opened the door. Xander was waiting patiently out in the hall. "Hey. Feeling better?" "Much." Buffy forced a smile. "Come on, lets go get something to eat." The three walked down to the kitchen, Willow and Xander keeping a close eye on Buffy. Xander grabbed some glasses from the cabinet and a package of cheesy chips while Buffy perused the refrigerator. Her mom had been out of town again, and there wasn't much food left. "Buffy..." Willow tried once more to get Buffy to tell them what had happened. "Huh?" Buffy kept her head stuck in the refrigerator as she searched for anything edible. Willow sighed, "What happened?" Buffy closed the door of the fridge and turned to face her friend's worried faces. "Angel. He...he saved me...from Savarah," her voice quivered, her body still cold. "Angel did that?" Xander couldn't believe his ears. "Angelus, Angel?" "Yeah. I don't know why, or how. I was seconds away from a long painful death and then...she's gone." "Do you know if she's gone for good?" "Well, if the prophecies are correct and the only way she can die is to be killed by a vampire-" Buffy paused, trying to understand all that had been going on. "Buffy..." "Yeah, I'm sure. She's gone." End Part One. Send your feedback. I'll have parts 2 - 6 out soon! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Love's Revival (2/?) Date: 23 Apr 1998 21:58:17 EDT Title: Love's Revival (1/?) Author: Michelle Email Addy: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG Spoiler: All episodes up to Killed By Death Feedback: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!! Disclaimer: Buffy and the gang belong to Joss Whedon, the WB, etc. The Story and the characters not part of the regular cast are mine! Sumary: Buffy and Angel cope with the thought of love between eachother while Angel is still evil. Buffy must face some old horrors as well as some new ones. IMPORTANT: Sequal to The Dark One Series. This story is explained as best as I could to fill in the blanks but you have to read "The Dark One" to understand it. You can check it out as well as all my other stories at: http://members.aol.com/aglx/buffywrittings.html Love's Revival Part 1 "Angel, you must eat something. Come with us, we can find you someone young and sweet." "I'm not hungry, Dru!" Angel snapped and returned to his thoughts. Dru's smile faded to a pout as she accepted his rejection. "Spike, I'm worried about Angel. He's growing weak; he hasn't eaten for days. "Don't be, my sweet. Angel's a big boy, he can handle himself. Come now, we feed." Spike led Dru out of the bedroom. They left the warehouse with several vampire minions following. Angel was sitting on a chair in the corner of the room. He hadn't left that spot for days. "Dammit Savarah! Why her?" Angel asked aloud, knowing that no one could hear him. *********** "Giles!" Willow screamed as she ran into the library. "What? What is it?" Giles came rushing out of his office, startled by her yelling. "The new um..." Willow paused for a moment, realizing how painful what she was about to say was going to be. 'No, stop. He has to know. Buffy. She needs this, she needs him.' Willow gathered all her confidence and continued to speak nervously. "The new computer science teacher found this when she was cleaning up. I checked it out. It's Angel's curse," she said, handing him a small yellow disk. Giles was awestruck. His mind flashed between Jenny and Angel. He closed his eyes as he tried to put her image out of his mind, but he couldn't. It was too strong; their love was too strong. "Cure? Are you sure?" "Positive. If what this says is right, all we need is an orb of Thesaluh, and Angel." 'Angel. That bastard killed Jenny. No!' Giles stopped his accusations mid-thought. He knew it wasn't Angel. It was Angelus. He also knew how easy it would be to blame Angel for what Angelus had done. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Love's Revival (3/?) Date: 23 Apr 1998 22:28:44 EDT Title: Love's Revival (3/?) Author: Michelle Email Addy: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG Spoiler: All episodes up to Killed By Death Feedback: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!! Disclaimer: Buffy and the gang belong to Joss Whedon, the WB, etc. The Story and the characters not part of the regular cast are mine! Sumary: Buffy and Angel cope with the thought of love between eachother while Angel is still evil. Buffy must face some old horrors as well as some new ones. IMPORTANT: Sequal to The Dark One Series. This story is explained as best as I could to fill in the blanks but you have to read "The Dark One" to understand it. You can check it out as well as all my other stories at: http://members.aol.com/aglx/buffywrittings.html Love's Revival Part 3 "Buffy!" Giles walked down the stairs from the stacks. Buffy entered the library, her friends trailing cautiously behind her. She knew that they had something to hide, and she was going to find out what. "Giles, what's going on? We had this talk a long time ago. No keeping secrets!" Her voice grew harsh as she approached Giles. "Well, um, Buffy, we found something," Giles attempted to explain. "About what?" "About Angel." Buffy could see the pain it caused him to even mention his name. Angel. She couldn't stop thinking about him. His eyes, his hair, his hands. The same hands he had used to kill Ms. Calendar. The same hands that had held the bodies of all his helpless victims. "What about him?" She asked, trying to sound angry for Giles' sake. "We found a way to bring his soul back," Giles said painfully. Buffy couldn't believe what he was saying; she didn't know whether to be happy or angry. Angel was now two different people. One that she loved, and one that she hated. After he had killed Ms. Calendar, she'd wanted him dead. He was going to die and there was nothing stopping her from doing it- nothing but her love for him. Buffy didn't know how to handle this news; it was too much for her, after all that had happened in the past week. "I gotta go," Buffy said, tears pooling up in her eyes. She ran out of the library leaving her friends standing in silence. Everything had changed; Ms. Calendar's death, Savarah, Angel's cure- it was too much for *all* of them to handle. "I'm sure Buffy will be alright. You have to understand what she's going through right now." "Yeah, but Giles, she's keeping this bottled up like she always does," Xander said, concerned for Buffy. "I'll talk to her about it," Giles said placing a stack of books on the table. "Thanks Giles," Willow said, trying unconvincingly to sound reassured. "You two go to class. Tell Buffy I want to talk to her during 5th period. She's got a free; we'll talk about it then." "Okay. Come on lets go," Xander said, slightly tugging at Willow's shirt. "Buffy!" Willow called as she spotted her across the quad. "Hey, guys!" Buffy said as she approached them with a smile. "Glad to see you're looking better," Xander said with a smile. "Yeah, I'm doing okay." Buffy was constantly thinking about Angel. About Savarah. She tried to hide the thoughts that plagued her, but her friends knew better. "Oh, Buffy, I almost forgot. Giles said he wants to see you during your free period." "Okay. Well, I've gotta get to Trig. Catch you later." Buffy walked off, her face fading to a pale white as she suddenly felt sick to her stomach. She ignored it and continued on to class. ********** "Giles, look, I'm fine." "Buffy, you were nearly killed. Do I have to remind you of what happened the last time? "I'm not going to make that mistake again. The last thing I want to do is hurt my friends again. I'm fine. Savarah is dead, I'm alive, and everything is just fine." "Buffy, normally I would let you get away with that, but this time it's not going to work. Angelus saving you from near death has to be tearing you apart. Don't alienate your friends when you need them the most." "Yeah, can I go now?" "Buffy, wh..." "I gotta go Giles, I'm not feeling very well." "Very well then. But we're not done here." "Yeah." Buffy said quietly as she rushed out of the library; her stomach was churning. She snuck out of school and walked home. She stumbled up the stairs, her whole body aching; but she had barely made it to the top of the stairs before she collapsed, unconscious. End Part 3. Please let me know what you think. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Reunion" (14/?) by Ingrid Date: 23 Apr 1998 22:55:33 -0400 Just a little not before I go on: I realize that it's been quite a while since I sent out the last part. April/May/June are fun months for me, and I have dozens of things to do, so I can't make any guarantees about the rest of the year. I'll *try.* I wrote this a long while ago, and I thought I might as well send it before it rots in my mailbox. Enjoy! DISCLAIMER: The characters of Angel, Buffy, Cordelia, Willow, Xander, Jenny, Giles & company are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Sandollar Productions, and The Warner Brothers Network, and are used without permission. The author claims no rights to these characters. SUMMARY: Giles finally shows up…or does he? Welcome to my story. It takes place ten years into the future, but I’m not telling you what’s happened in advance. I’m going to reveal that as time goes on in the story. I love to get feedback, except when my mailbox explodes, which is often, but send it anyway! My address is Ingrid29@juno.com. If you don’t get this, that’s because you haven’t read the other parts. If you want to get this, ask me for them! ********* "Reunion," by Ingrid Part Fourteen: "Uninvited Guest" ********* Xander opened the door, expecting to be a buffer yet again. Suddenly, he was everybody’s hero, and he wasn’t so sure he liked it. What he was expecting, he couldn’t say. Tired kind eyes behind familiar spectacles. Instead, he saw only blackness beyond the door. He turned the outside light on, but still all he saw were the bushes and the snow-covered fountain lit up and far off. One of the shadows moved. "Hello?" Nothing. "Hello?" "Xander." The voice froze him instantly. He didn’t dare say it. She looked up into the light and flinched. The curls sparkled like rubies under it cascading into the darkness. Her blue eyes were glistening with tears unshed, and the pink mouth was closed; taught. "Xander?" She seemed to shake as she spoke. Every movement was tremulous and agitated. "Willow," he labeled her as a child labels the world around him. He was waiting for a contradiction; a logical clarity that never came. Instead, she turned her face away into the obscurity of the night and said nothing. "Willow?" "Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea." "How…" "I don’t know." Suddenly bells went off in his head as he remembered the blur of that dark night years ago. "Oh my God. No." "Xander, I wouldn’t have come here, but I think you could use my help. Maybe I should go." "No, Will…" He opened the door. "You have to invite me in," she reminded him guiltily. He backed away from the door slowly, not sure who to trust. Sure, she looked like Willow, but hadn’t Buffy been fooled by… "Xander?" "Willow, how do I know that-" She was quietly weeping on the porch now. "I didn’t mean…" He swallowed hard and looked back at her eyes. Frightened. She probably could rip him to shreds if she wanted to and she was frightened. It had been his fault, and if she wasn’t legit, this would be his fault too. But he opened the door and invited death in. She waited for a moment and then stepped in slowly. She looked cold and tired. Like she’d been running forever. He almost jerked away from her as she was entering, but held back with everything he had. He was unprepared for her crushing embrace. She was crying again now. "I’ve missed you *so much*…" He didn’t know what to say, even when Cordelia came out into the foyer. "Willow," he whispered over the vampire’s shoulder, and left her to wonder. *** END, PART 14 _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: tabbylink@patrol.i-way.co.uk Subject: BUFFYFIC: re; Is there a difference? Date: 24 Apr 1998 14:32:20 --- On Thu, 23 Apr 1998 15:20:07 PDT Sara Barton wrote: >Is there a difference between the buffyfiction digest and the >buffyfiction list? I've often wondered that myself. Maybe it's a collection of all Buffyfics sent in that day? I'd really like to see my server manage to lose parts from something like that! :) Betzi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: KylenRevik Subject: BUFFYFIC: I have two questions... Date: 24 Apr 1998 18:45:38 EDT 1. This one is about length. Say I have a chapter that's, say, ten pages long on my word processor. When I save it to text and import it, that's a lottalotta lines. How should I label the parts of the chapter, then, when I break them into 250-line pieces? (Because the list guidelines say no more than 250 lines per post). Would something like: (1a/20), (1b/20), etc, be satisfactory? And if I were to do that, should it also say how many parts-of- parts? So it would look like ([1a/a-d]/20, meaning "part one-a of parts one thru d, of twenty"? Help! I have a long fic that I'm working on, but with the way the chapters are they'll be longer than 250 lines and I'm stressing about this!!!! 2. This one is a bit shorter. :) Being new to the list, I was just wondering if you guys have ever tried doing a round-robin story or not, and if not, if there's any interest in trying something like that, because I'd be willing to coordinate it if there were. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Sarah Douglas Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Cure" (8/14) Date: 24 Apr 1998 18:57:56 DISCLAIMER: I don't own Buffy or any of the other wonderful characters in the Buffyverse. I am using them without the permission of the people who do own them who are not going to sue me because I am not making any money off this. Joss Whedon, WB, Mutant Enemy, Kusui and Sandollar own the Buffy characters. DISTRIBUTION: Just ask. RATING: Probably PG FEEDBACK: I would love to know what you all think of this. Please send me feedback. Pretty please. SUMMARY: Okay, well this takes place while Ms. Calendar is still alive, but Angel is evil, so probably Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. It's another "Angel gets his soul back" story which I wrote to convince myself that Angel could be good again. It's kind of long and I'm sorry about that you all. AUTHOR'S MESSAGE: Yes, yes, I know it's been a while, but you try living in my world for a week and see how much fic you can put out. Anyways, today the thanks go out to Betzi for ego boosting. Major props to Candy too. On with the show The Cure (8/14) Buffy arrived at the door and Willow opened it for her. "How'd it go?" Willow asked. "Okay, I did two quick stakes in the graveyard. No Angel sightings," Buffy replied as they headed downstairs. "Buffy! Did everything go alright?" Giles asked. "Yeah, fine. Didn't see Angel. What's up here?" "Well, I've been doing more research on Angel. Nothing we don't already know. It's quite late Buffy. You and Willow should turn in. Everyone else did. Xander's in Ox's room, Cordelia's in the living room. You and Willow can sleep in there," Giles replied, picking up a different book. "Giles, sleep. We don't have a major crisis right this second. Take the opportunity to take a nap. You need sleep too," Buffy told him. Giles smiled. "I suppose you're right Buffy. Let me look through another book or two. Then I'll go to sleep." "Promise?" "Alright, I promise." "Night, Giles." "Goodnight Buffy, goodnight Willow. Sleep well." "Thanks Giles. You too," Buffy headed back up the stairs. Buffy quickly charged into her PJs and got ready for bed. She got into one of the makeshift beds Oz had set up. Willow turned to her. "Buffy, are you really okay?" Willow asked, concerned for her friend. "Yeah I'm okay. We're camping out at Oz's to protect us from Angel, who switched to the other side because I made a big mistake. Yeah, I'm just great." "Buffy, it's not your fault. You didn't know it was going to happen. I know I've said it before, but it's true," Willow said, trying to comfort Buffy. "Thanks Will. Hearing you say that kind of helps. Now go to sleep. You need rest too." "Okay. Night Buffy." "Night Willow." ***************** Angel stormed back to the warehouse, Drucilla in tow. He was not in a good mood. He hadn't found Willow. He hadn't drained her of her blood. He didn't have a present for the slayer. "Did you get the slayer something nice? She's not going to fall apart Angelus. She's going to come after you with a stake and then POOF! Angel dust," Spike said when they came in. "No, I didn't get her anything. I couldn't find the perfect gift. I don't know what happened to her." **************** Jenny woke up in a strange bed. She got out of bed right away, eager to know if they had the spell. When she left the room, she saw Alice a little way off. "Alice," she called out. Alice turned. "Good morning Janna," Alice replied, waiting for Jenny to catch up to her. "Is there any news? Have they got the spell?" Jenny asked, eager and excited. "The elderwoman said this morning that as soon as you woke up to bring you to her. Come with me," Alice said, leading Jenny along. "In there," Alice pointed to a room. Jenny smiled and went in. "Ah, Janna, you are here. We have some work to do. By this evening, I believe we will have the spell by tonight. Very, ver soon Angel will have his soul. But now, there is work to be done." **************** Buffy poured herself a cup of coffee. She smiled at everyone. "Ah, sunlight, our old friend," Buffy said, sipping her coffee. Everyone was sitting around the table. "Guys, we need to pack up and move out. Oz, can we work out of here tonight?" Buffy asked. "Sure, that's fine." "Okay guys, move everything into the basement. Try to keep everything as inconspicuous as possible." "Yes sir, general buffy sir!" Xander joked. Buffy smiled. "Okay troops, move out." **************** Jenny's day passed in a sea of research and old books. She, the elderwoman and a few others of the tribe worked together, compiling magic. Many old Romani spells were brought out. Long and careful work was carried out. Finally, the elderwoman closed her book with a thud. "We are finished. We have the spell. I will collect the necessary things. Janna, we will leave in the morning. We will bring Alice, she had been trained in magic. Now Janna, go to sleep. You will need much energy tomorrow." *************** At lunch, Buffy went to the library. "Hey Giles." "Hello Buffy. How was your morning?" "Okay. Giles, am I strong enough? Be honest with me, am I strong enough to beat Angle. Am I trained well enough?" Giles looked slightly shocked at the question. "Buffy, I have nothing but respect and admiration for you talent at fighting. You have incredible skill. In saying that, we really have not done very much training. I think that if you faced Angel now, you could win. It's probable that you would win, but it could be close. Overall, yes you're strong enough, you defeated the Master Buffy. That's no small feat. Yes, you have the technical skill, but you have fought with Angel and he knows how you fight," Giles replied. Buffy looked at Giles. She thought for a few moments. She rubbed her temples and walked around the library. Suddenly, she turned to Giles. "Train me," she said, "I don't care how long it takes, I have to be able to beat Angel." End part 8 Alright, you've read the fic, now send the feedback to ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Jill Kirby Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: re; Is there a difference? Date: 24 Apr 1998 21:16:34 -0500 (CDT) Sara and Betzi wanted to know: >>Is there a difference between the buffyfiction digest >and the >>buffyfiction list? The digest version of the list collects the individual posts that are sent to the list and sends them out when they reach a certain critical mass. This is nice for people with small mailboxes-- they just get one (or a couple more than one, if things are busy) post a day, rather than several individual posts. The content is exactly the same-- just formatted differently. Jill Jill Kirby ~~ jtkirby@mcs.com ~~ www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/4107 NatPack ~~ ABotCoS ~~ NP4 ~~ Dreamer/Minstrel ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Mark Jones" Subject: BUFFYFIC: When? (1/?) Date: 26 Apr 1998 14:49:27 +0100 Could I please get feedback? Rach@altitudeprods.demon.co.uk Buffy sat there, cold and lonely. After all these painstakingly long hours, just siting there doing nothing she was bored, lonely but most of all she was upset. The day had seemed to drag, she hadn’t seen her friends for a few hours but to her it felt like a lifetime. She just lay back with her head resting on a tombstone, waiting, she was beginning to think that it wasn’t worth it, no matter how happy he had made her before, he had no right to make her stay and wait. The sun was starting to set in the clear sky, giving that red-pink colour that Buffy had loved so much, but that was then, then when her life felt secure, she was happy. But now she didn’t know how she felt about anything, especially not Angel. Why had he wanted to meet her after all this time and after everything that had happened, why did he want to meet her here, in the graveyard? But one thing troubled Buffy more than that was how had Angel managed to make her agree to this? She knew that she wouldn’t, especially not in a graveyard. It was as if he had a power over her, she had wanted to leave hours ago, but it was as if some invisible force prevented her, she was stuck there until Angel decided he wanted to show up, no matter how much she wanted to leave. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Mark Jones" Subject: BUFFYFIC: When? (2/?) Date: 26 Apr 1998 14:49:35 +0100 Feedback please!! Rach@altitudeprods.deomn.co.uk She begun to doze, she couldn’t keep her eyes open for much longer, she felt them getting heavier and heavier, until they closed and Buffy was transported to another world, the world of dreams where anything could happen and where anything did. Buffy felt herself floating high above everybody else, the world was calm and relaxed, she could see everything in Sunnydale, the school, mall and all of her friends, Xander, Cordelia and Willow, they all looked very worried, she saw Giles approach them, he too was worried. but what about the dreaming Buffy wondered, and more importantly, why didn’t they tell her or ask for her help? Then, the peace was shattered and everyone rushed indoors, shouting, “It’s a trap! It’s a trap!” ‘What’s a trap? What’s a trap?’ Wondered Buffy, she saw nothing out of the ordinary going on. She wanted to help them, but although she felt like she had all the power in the world and could see everything, she tried and she had nothing, she was entirely powerless. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Mark Jones" Subject: BUFFYFIC: When? (3/?) Date: 26 Apr 1998 14:49:41 +0100 Feedback plese!!! Rach@altitideprods.demon.co.uk Buffy awoke with a start, she was scared, what had happened to her friends? what was going on? why had no-one told her? She quickly got up and was going to help, but then she realised, it had been a dream, and that no matter how much she wanted to leave, she couldn’t, Angel somehow was making sure of that. Her eyes started to focus on the surrounding area, and she didn’t like what she saw… She was surrounded, with no way out, now she knew what the dream meant, this was a trap and she was powerless, how could she escape? “Angel!” she called out, her voice filled with alarm thinking that maybe this was somekind of sick joke, no reply. She grabbed her bag, ready to kick some ass! The vampires didn’t move it was as if they were being forced to stay like Buffy was, by some invisible force. They all stood there, drilling their evil eyes into Buffy while she circled around them, ready to pounce. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Mark Jones" Subject: BUFFYFIC: When? (4/?) Date: 26 Apr 1998 14:49:43 +0100 Feedback please! Rach@altitudeprods.demon.co.uk They didn’t move, they began to make Buffy uneasy until one of them spoke… “Slayer, we know you won’t harm us!!!” His voice was filled with confidence, “Oh yeah,?” Buffy replied, her voice strong and firm “Says who!?” “Says us” Came the reply, his voice filled with the same confidence as before. “Why shouldn’t I kill you?” Buffy asked, her own confidence growing by the second, she knew that they were just messing, trying to catch her off guard and then they would attack, ‘Well not this time’ Buffy happily thought. His reply came with even more confidence than before and he simply said “Because, if you kill us, our master kills all of your friends” “Oh yeah? And how’s he going to do that then? Take over the school!?!!” “Why yes, as a matter of fact he is!! You _are_ good at this game aren’t you now!! And just to make sure that you don’t kill us, we’ve already kidnapped a few of your friends, lets just call them our insurance, we die, they die, Simple enough!!?!!” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: uzenet@videotron.ca Subject: BUFFYFIC: Broken Bonds (Part 4) Date: 25 Apr 1998 13:32:35 -0400 Title: Broken Bonds (Part 4) Author: Northlight e-mail: uzenet@videotron.ca Note: Thanks to all who helped. Summary: Giles dissapears and bad things start to happen. Disclaimer: They don't belong to me. Buffy found Willow outside later that day. The other girl was leaning against a tree, her biology textbook balancing on her knees. "Hey Willow," Buffy said, dropping down next to her. Willow looked up from the book, a smile on her lips. The smile faded a moment later as she took in Buffy's worried expression. "What's wrong?" "Where's Xander?" Buffy asked, "I'll tell you both together so I don't have to go over everything again." "He's home with the flu," Willow answered absently, still focused on Buffy's pale, drawn face. "So tell me what happened?" Buffy sighed, rubbing at her aching eyes before answering Willow's question. "I'm not quite sure what happened. I had one of my dreams again, and then when I to talk to Giles this morning, he wasn't there." Willow's face mirrored Buffy's concern when she heard that. 'When is Giles not here?' "Something happened to him?" she suggested uneasily. "I'm sure of it," Buffy answered with another sigh, "I'm just not sure what... yet. Anyway, Giles wasn't there, but some way freaky man was. He said that his name's Nathaniel Tyler and that he's my new Watcher." Her face darkened at the thought of the man she had met earlier that day. Even his name unnerved her. "According to him, Giles took the earliest flight he could back to England because of some emergency... and apparently he had to leave so quickly that he couldn't be bothered to tell me." "Giles wouldn't do that," Willow said, her voice certain. Buffy nodded. "I know, Willow. I don't trust Tyler, and my dreams are telling me that something big is about to happen... but I just don't know what to do. I need Giles here to help me, but I have the awful feeling that he's in as much trouble as I am." Willow looked at Buffy sympathetically. It was times like these when Willow knew that she wouldn't want to be Buffy for anything. "I'm here for you, Buffy. And so's Xander. Even if he has to drag himself out of bed to get to you." Buffy smiled, accepting Willow's comfort. "So, what do I do now, Willow? I know that something's wrong, but this isn't a problem that I can just fight away." "I think," Willow began, letting her textbook snap shut, "that the best thing that we can do for the moment is watch your new Watcher. We'll see if he does anything to confirm your suspicions.. and you might want to talk to Angel and see if he has any ideas about what may be going on." The mention of Buffy's favorite vampire had the desired effect, as the Slayer's face lit up in eager anticipation. "Yeah, I'm sure that Angel will have some ideas." "Great. We'll figure everything out. Giles will come back, Tyler will leave, and everything will go back to as normal as it ever is." End Part 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Sarah Douglas Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Cure" (9/14) Date: 25 Apr 1998 16:30:54 DISCLAIMER: I don't own Buffy or any of the other wonderful characters in the Buffyverse. I am using them without the permission of the people who do own them who are not going to sue me because I am not making any money off this. Joss Whedon, WB, Mutant Enemy, Kusui and Sandollar own the Buffy characters. DISTRIBUTION: Just ask. RATING: Probably PG FEEDBACK: I would love to know what you all think of this. Please send me feedback. Pretty please. SUMMARY: Okay, well this takes place while Ms. Calendar is still alive, but Angel is evil, so probably Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. It's another "Angel gets his soul back" story which I wrote to convince myself that Angel could be good again. It's kind of long and I'm sorry about that you all. AUTHOR'S MESSAGE: hello all. Yes that's right, another part this soon. Wow, am I impressive or what? Well, it's almost new Buffy ep time, so yay everybody be happy. I don't think I have anyone to dedicate this part to, so hmmmm, Jeanie, I guess this one goes out to you. On with the show The Cure (9/14) Angel was too restless to sleep. He kept pacing across the main room in the warehouse. He was very upset at not finding Willow. Spike and Dru had gone to bed much earlier. Dru had tried to convince Angel to go to bed then. He's just kept pacing, so she'd gone to bed. All of the sudden, Angel fell to the ground in incredible pain and stayed routed to the ground for several minutes. Then it ended almost as quickly as it began. <> *************** Buffy, Giles and the slayerettes set up at Oz's aging. "Oz, is there anywhere Giles and I can train?" Buffy asked. "Oh sure, through that door," Oz pointed towards the other door at the bottom of the stairs. "My parents were going to turn it into a work out room, but they never got around to it. It's just an empty room, but it's nicely carpeted." "Cool, thanks," Buffy replied. "The rest of you, should continue researching," Giles said. "If anyone needs anything from home, go now and be back before sunset. Cordelia, Zander, if you want to go home, please go before sunset," Buffy added following Giles into the room. "Well, I don't know about the rest of you people, but I'm going home. I'm just so sick of you people," Cordelia announced, picking up her bag. "I'll walk you home Cordy," Xander offered. "Thanks," Cordelia replied. "I'll be back in a bit," Xander called to Willow and Oz, heading up the stair after Cordelia. "Well, I guess we should get to work," Willow said picking up a book. "Willow, can I ask you something?" Oz asked. Willow nodded in reply. "How long have you been doing this?" "Basically since Buffy moved here last year." "Does it ever get to you? I mean, battling the undead on a daily basis, knowing that they know you and they want you dead, watching person after person die?" Oz asked. Willow put her book down. "A little at first. I mean, when I first found out, Xander and I found out at the same time, we were both like ‘yesterday our lives were like oh no, pop quiz, and now it's like oh no vampires.' It was weird at first, because at the same time as we found out our friend Jesse got turned into a vampire. It was at the same time as the Harvest and Xander had to slay him. And some weird stuff has happened, but at the end of the day, it's worth it because we help save the world," Willow replied and picked up her book again. Oz smiled at Willow. <> Oz picked up a book and got to work. *************** Buffy attacked Giles, kicking him squarely in the chest, knocking him off balance. She took advantage of her opening and threw him against the wall. She rushed forward and blocked him across the chest, grabbed her stake and put it over his heart. "One minute, twenty-eight seconds," Giles announced, stopping his stop-watch. Buffy smiled. "Okay, that's good, I guess we can stop now. I need a break anyways," Buffy said, picking up her water bottle. She took a swig. "Giles, should I slay him? If I see Angel, should I slay him if I can?" Buffy asked. Giles took off his glasses and wiped them. "Buffy, this isn't something I can just decide. If you're fighting him, your slayer instincts will take over, so if the time is right, you'll stake him." Buffy slowly nodded. Then she smiled. "You know that "slayer instincts" excuse must really be convenient," buffy joked. "I suppose that's true," Giles said, grinning. "You cracked a smile. Isn't that against some watcher rule?" Buffy jokingly accused. "Well, you're taking your slayer duties seriously. It's a world gone mad," Giles said. The slayer and the watcher laughed. *************** Xander and Cordelia reached the door. "Well, thanks for walking me home," Cordelia said. "No problem," Xander replied. He turned to go. "Aren't you even going to kiss me goodbye?" Cordelia asked, her hands on her hips. Xander turned around, grabbed Cordelia and lowered his lips onto her. End part 9 Okay, now I know you all have an opinion, so e-mail it to me good, bad, whatever. sdouglas@camfordinfo.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Sarah Douglas Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Cure" (10/14) Date: 25 Apr 1998 16:34:54 DISCLAIMER: I don't own Buffy or any of the other wonderful characters in the Buffyverse. I am using them without the permission of the people who do own them who are not going to sue me because I am not making any money off this. Joss Whedon, WB, Mutant Enemy, Kusui and Sandollar own the Buffy characters. DISTRIBUTION: Just ask. RATING: Probably PG FEEDBACK: I would love to know what you all think of this. Please send me feedback. Pretty please. SUMMARY: Okay, well this takes place while Ms. Calendar is still alive, but Angel is evil, so probably Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. It's another "Angel gets his soul back" story which I wrote to convince myself that Angel could be good again. It's kind of long and I'm sorry about that you all. AUTHOR'S MESSAGE:Yes, that's right, another part. I think that since I have time now, that I should send in the parts while I have time. Okay, enjoy. On with the show The Cure (10/14) Angel sat at the table. Dru approached him from behind. "Did you go to bed at all last night, love?" Dru asked. "Couldn't sleep." "You think too much about the slayer." Angel stayed silent. "Come on now love, What's wrong?" Dru asked. "I'm tired of being cooped up in this place. I want to hunt," Angel complained. Dru sat down on his lap. "Don't worry love. Soon the sun will set and we'll hunt." "Hey, hey, what's all this about?" Spike demanded. Suddenly the vampire on watch burst in. "The sun has set." "Sorry, Spike old boy. Explanations will have to wait for a later time. I'm going to hunt. Sorry you can't come with. Coming Dru?" Angel asked. "Coming. Bye Spike," Dru replied. She kissed Spike on the cheek and hurried after Angel. "That guy is really starting to piss me off." *************** "Hey guys," Buffy said, marching in on Willow and Oz. Buffy looked at them. "Where are Xander and Cordelia?" "Cordelia wanted to go home so Xander walked her home," Willow explained. "Xander's not back yet?" Buffy demanded. "Yes, he is," Xander answered, walking in. "Is Cordelia in her house?" Buffy asked "Yeah." "Then I'm going to patrol." *************** Angel walked with a purpose. "Where are we going?" Dru asked. Angel stopped. "Dru, I want you to go find yourself a meal. I'm going to wait for Buffy in the graveyard. Go home when you're done. I'll meet you there," Angel said and walked off, leaving Dru behind. Sometime that day, sitting racking his brain for where he could find Willow, he decided that he wanted to fight Buffy. Angel silently slipped into the graveyard. He went to a dark corner, a place he had lurked in times past. Angel sat down in the corner and waited. *************** Buffy walked out of Oz's house, today armed with stakes. She wanted to do some hand to hand combat tonight. << I don't really want to hunt at the graveyard tonight,>> she thought, but she was inexplicable drawn there. She walked in a looked around. In the back corner Angel saw her. He stood slowly, careful not to make any noise. Buffy spotted a vampire and silently crept behind him, plunging the stake into his back. Angel took that opportunity to sneak up behind her. Buffy brushed the dust off her hands. "One less demon walking the earth," Buffy said with satisfaction. "You've still got me, lover," Angel said. Buffy whirled around to face him. She looked a little startled. "Did I scare you lover? Oops, sorry,' Angel said, taunting her. Buffy took Angel off his guard by punching him square in the jaw. Angel fell backwards and Buffy delivered a roundhouse kick that hit Angel in the chest. Angel threw back a punch of his own, but Buffy blocked it quickly, and ducked under his arm. She kicked him in the back and he stumbled forwards. She attacked again, but this time Angel avoided her attack and grabbed her by the arm and threw her a few feet. Buffy scrambled to her feet, but Angel was quick. He grabbed her by the neck and pushed her against a gravestone. "What? No pleasant small talk first tonight? Did you have a bad day lover? I'll make it all better," Angel said, his game face appearing. Angel lowered his fangs closer to buffy's neck. Then, suddenly, Angel fell to the ground, in agony. Buffy was completely confused and a little scared. She hurried out of the cemetery. *************** Giles sat in a chair reading one of the watcher diaries. Willow and Oz were doing homework and Xander was looking through on of Giles' books. Buffy burst in and marched straight up to Giles. "Giles, the weirdest thing just happened. I was fighting with Angel and he just fell to the ground, in pain. What does it mean, Giles?" Buffy demanded. "You were fighting with Angel and he just fell to the ground for no apparent reason? And he was in pain? Is that right?" Giles asked in return. "Yup, that pretty much sums it up," Buffy replied. "Well, to be perfectly honest, I don't have the slightest idea." "Knowledge man doesn't know what's going on. Well, that's comforting,' Xander said sarcastically. "Well, there are any number of possibilities," Giles explained. "We do, after all, live on the Hellmouth. It could have something to do with that, or something that Buffy didn't see could have injured him. I'll have to-" "Consult my books," the slayer and slayerettes chimed in. "Yes, quite. Well, the rest of you ought to go get some sleep. This isn't urgent. Go to bed," Giles said authoritatively. "Okay, okay, we're going to bed. Night Giles," Buffy said. "Night G-man" "Night Giles." "Night Giles." "Goodnight everyone," Giles said and picked up a book. *************** Angel stumbled to his feet. <> Angel wondered. He left the graveyard and started walking toward the warehouse. He saw a red haired girl in front of him. He grabbed her from behind and sunk his fangs into her neck before she could scream. After he drained her, he went into the warehouse. "Hey Spike. What's up?" Angel asked. "Nothing, why do you ask?" Spike returned suspiciously. "On your guard I see. Oh well, maybe it's a smart idea. Is Dru home?" "Yeah, she got in about a half an hour ago. I thought you two were going out hunting together." "I went to find the slayer. I thought it would be best if Dru didn't come." "Did you find her?" "Yeah, we fought a while. Nothing exciting." "Look, when are you going to kill her already? What's up with the fighting and mind games? You're just going to make her angry!" "Whatever Spike, I'm going to bed." angel said and walked off. Spike hung back for a few moments, then followed. End part 10 Okay, all feedback (and you will all send feedback) to sdouglas@camfordinfo.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: uzenet@videotron.ca Subject: BUFFYFIC: Ever After (1/1) Date: 25 Apr 1998 19:08:24 -0400 Title: Ever After Author: Northlight e-mail: uzenet@videotron.ca Notes: Unlike "Broken Bonds" this story has not been checked over by anyone else, so please excuse any spelling or punctuation mistakes that I may have made. Summary: All that I can really say about it is that it involves Angelus and Buffy. Disclaimer: They aren't mine. She was running, her legs pumping and her heart pounding wildly. Hour after hour of training allowed her to continue her frantic pace long past the point where most people would have collapsed. Her long nights patrolling the cemetery for newly awakened vampires also allowed her to pass across the headstone spotted ground with relative ease. She hated herself for running. 'I'm the Slayer, dammit! I fight vampires! I don't run!' And yet her pace didn't slow. Her pride in her ability and her disgust in her flight were nothing compared to the insistent command of her survival instinct to run from this place. Or, more accurately, to run from the creature behind her. 'It's just another vampire!' she scolded herself as she vaulted over an overturned headstone. But it wasn't. The vampire that pursued her so relentlessly was none other than Angelus. 'Angelus...' the name sent a shudder racing through her straining body. Her flight was painfully cut short as her foot twisted in the loose earth of a recently disturbed grave. With a short, startled gasp, the Slayer tumbled to the ground. She fought the urge to give into her aching body, and pulled herself to her knees. It was far to late. Her accident had cost her precious time, and she knew that any chance that she had of evading Angelus was gone. 'I am so dead.' The thought flittered through her mind, strangely unreal. The insistent tug on her Slayer's special awareness brought reality sharply back into focus. He was there, only feet away from her. The vampire looked at her through hooded eyes, a dangerous smile curving his lips. Angelus sauntered towards her, his utter lack of concern about her ability as a Slayer making the young woman ache to wipe the smug look off of his face. Unfortunately, she knew that wasn't about to happen. Not willing to meet her death sprawled on the ground, she rose to her feet, biting back a grunt as her twisted ankle strongly protested. He was in front of her, their bodies only inches apart. She was helpless. Her supply of stakes had been spent on the horde of vampires she had faced earlier that night. Her cross had been lost the first time she had evaded Angelus' grip. And her body was exhausted from her long night of battles and her desperate flight through the cemetery. 'It wasn't supposed to end like this! The good guys always win...' Angelus reached out towards her, and the Slayer couldn't surpress her soft sob. She didn't want to die. Instead of wrapping around her neck and snuffing out her life, the vampire's hand twined around the strands of blonde hair that had escaped her ponytail. "Such pretty hair," Angelus said softly, rubbing the silky strands of hair between his fingertips absently. That was not what she had expected to hear. "What?!" Angelus smirked, amused by her obvious shock and the fear that his causal words had heightened. "I knew a Slayer once, she had such beautiful blonde hair, just like yours." She tried to back away, not liking the vicious glint in his eyes. But Angelus' grip on her hair tightened, immobilizing her. 'Say some witty Slayer type thing, and then beat him senseless.' "Uh... That's nice. Can I go now?" she stammered. 'I said witty! That wasn't witty! Okay, no problem, I can just skip to the beating the vampire up part.' Beneath the knowing eyes of her captor, the second part fizzled as easily as the first. "I can remember how her hair shone in the moonlight right before I ripped her throat out." He sighed sadly, "I was so hopping to hear her scream, but all she did was gurgle. Such high hopes gone to waste on that girl... but I'm guessing that you can make up for some of that." A cool breeze brushed across the Slayer's pale, terrified face as Angelus lowered his fangs towards her exposed neck with excruciating slowness. "I don't think so, dear." The voice was unexpected and filled with the strength that lacked in the trembling Slayer's tone. Angelus' eyes widened in recognition, and the girl slipped from his grasp. Free of the vampire's strong hands, the Slayer bonelessly dropped to the ground. "Buffy?!" Angelus hissed as he took in the sight of the woman who casually stood among the headstones, a stake held with easy familiarity in her hand. 'Buffy?' the Slayer thought dully, searching for the reason that name rung with such familiarity through her mind. It took a minute for the knowledge to permeate her foggy mind. 'Buffy! She was the Slayer before me! The one that Angelus... The one that Angelus killed!' Buffy smiled coyly, "I'm happy to see you to, I have so missed you." "Your dead!" Angelus growled, "I killed you!" "Details." Buffy shrugged, "and really, Angelus, you should know how unexpected things on the Hellmouth are." Angelus' eyes narrowed in hatred, and with a powerful thrust he launched himself towards Buffy. He would tear her apart. Again. And this time, she'd stay dead. "What the--!?" Angelus gasped as his body passed through Buffy's without resistance. He rolled to his feet, and stared at her, his fangs bared in warning. Buffy laughed. "Getting slow in your old age, Angelus? I'm already dead. Meaning, in case you're unable to grasp such a simple concept, you can't hurt me." The enraged vampire paused a moment, and then he smiled. "Maybe not, Buffy, but that means you can't hurt me either. So, there isn't anything to stop me from having my little snack over there," he said gesturing towards the wide eyed Slayer still slumped on the ground. With renewed purpose, Angelus moved towards the Slayer again, ignoring Buffy. That was a mistake. With a single, almost casual, movement, the stake Buffy held sliced through the vampire's shoulder. Her smile widened as Angelus howled in pain. "I said that you can't hurt me, I never said that it went the other way." Angelus' eyes rested on the new stake which had appeared in the apparitions hand and with a curse he backed away. "I'll be back to finish this," he warned before fading into the shadows. "And I'll be waiting!" Buffy called out after him. Business taken care of, Buffy turned towards the girl who had succeeded her as Slayer. "Are you alright? He didn't hurt you, did he?" The young Slayer gaped at Buffy, "your dead!" Buffy sighed. "I know." Before the other girl could question her further, Buffy continued, "I failed my friends, and I failed as a Slayer. The people I cared about died because I couldn't make myself kill the monster who wore the face of the man that I loved. But Giles, my Watcher, instilled a strong sense of duty in me, and when my body died, my spirit remained. So, we stayed here in Sunnydale to watch over and protect the people from Angelus." "We?" Buffy nodded, a joyful smile spreading over her face. "We," she confirmed, gesturing towards a second apparition among the headstones. The Slayer could clearly see the undeniably human face of Angelus on the figure. But his eyes were warm and loving as he looked towards them, and the girl knew that with him, she was safe. "Angel?" she asked, remembering what her Watcher had told her of the vampire with a soul. "Yes," Buffy stated simply, love shinning in her eyes as turned towards him. Buffy drifted towards Angel, her hand twinning in his. She glanced back towards the Slayer who had risen to her feet and smiled warmly, "don't worry about anything. We'll be here to help you." The Slayer nodded mutely, and watched in awe as the two figures faded away, a slight breeze marking their passage. The End ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: uzenet@videotron.ca Subject: BUFFYFIC: Broken Bonds (Part 5) Date: 26 Apr 1998 12:02:52 -0400 Title: Broken Bonds (Part 5) Author: Northlight e-mail: uzenet@videotron.ca Note: Thanks to those who helped. Summary: Giles dissapears and bad things start to happen. Disclaimer: They aren't mine. "Rupert?!" The Watcher's name was emitted as a startled gasp, and the man who had spoken fell back a step in surprise. "Simon," Giles nodded towards the unmoving man at the door. Seeing that Simon was not about to move from his stunned spot just inside the door, Giles sighed. "May I come in, Simon?" Simon blinked, as if trying to rid himself of an unwelcome sight. Seeing that Giles was indeed standing on his front door step and wasn't about to move, Simon pulled the door open. He gestured for Giles to enter, a pained expression on his broad face. "Of course, come in." The two men remained silent as Simon led Giles into the bright, airy kitchen at the back of the house. Simon glanced out the window nervously as Giles seated himself, and quickly drew the curtains shut. "Why are you here, Rupert?" Simon demanded as he turned to face the Watcher. Giles massaged his temples, trying to ease the pounding headache that threatened to erupt at any moment. "I need your help," he stated simply. Simon winced. "Rupert, you know I'd help you if I could, but it just isn't possible," his voice pleading for understanding. 'I hate to do this to him' Giles thought guiltily, 'but I have no other choice. I can't spend any more days as I did today. If my days are merely spent trying to avoid detection, I may as well have let them take me last night'. "You know that I wouldn't have come here if I didn't have good reason, Simon." The man shook his head determinedly, "I can't! I won't!" his frightened brown eyes rested on Giles. "I'm not a part of any of this any more, Rupert. I left home to avoid any more conflicts! I have a wife now, and a baby daughter. I'm not going to risk their lives by helping you!" 'He always knew that this would happen... if only we had listened.' "They are as good as dead if you don't help me, you know that." Giles didn't like using the man's family against him, but he was desperate for any help that Simon could offer. "Damn you, Rupert," Simon cursed softly as he dropped down into a chair across from him. His eyes closed tightly as he struggled for composure. When they opened again, his face was resigned. "You'll help?" "I'll help," Simon responded unhappily. "What do you need from me?" Giles quickly ran over the list in his mind. "I need some money since I can't risk withdrawing any myself. I also need some less conspicuous clothing, it is unfortunate that tweed isn't what I would call common here." Simon nodded as Giles fell silent. "There's something else, isn't there?" Giles nodded and Simon sighed. "I'd like you to get in touch with your contacts and see what help they can offer. Or if they can at least offer any further information." "I'll do what I can, but I can't promise anything. Once news of this gets out, not many people will be sticking around," Simon answered solemnly. He didn't want to do this, but now that Giles had drawn him into it, Simon silently vowed that he would do his best. Simon hesitated a moment before giving into the need to know why Giles was doing this, "Rupert, why? Why are you doing this? Of all the people to be going up against this power, I wouldn't have guessed that it would be you." Giles didn't hesitate in his answer. "Because I will not allow anyone to threaten my Slayer." End Part 5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Sarah Douglas Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Cure" (11/14) Date: 26 Apr 1998 11:34:04 DISCLAIMER: I don't own Buffy or any of the other wonderful characters in the Buffyverse. I am using them without the permission of the people who do own them who are not going to sue me because I am not making any money off this. Joss Whedon, WB, Mutant Enemy, Kusui and Sandollar own the Buffy characters. DISTRIBUTION: Just ask. RATING: Probably PG FEEDBACK: I would love to know what you all think of this. Please send me feedback. Pretty please. SUMMARY: Okay, well this takes place while Ms. Calendar is still alive, but Angel is evil, so probably Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. It's another "Angel gets his soul back" story which I wrote to convince myself that Angel could be good again. It's kind of long and I'm sorry about that you all. AUTHOR'S MESSAGE: We're getting very near the end now folks. Just a few more parts which I promise to send soon. Okay, enough with the chatter. On with the show The Cure (11/14) "Wake up Janna," the elderwoman said, shaking her out of bed. Jenny rubbed her eyes and got out of bed. Jenny rubbed her eyes and got out of bed. "Get dressed quickly Janna. We must hurry," the elderwoman informed her and left the room. Jenny pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. She stuffed the things she had brought into her bag. She did a quick double check and headed out. "Oh hi Janna. Ready to go?" Alice asked. "As ready as I'll ever be," Janna replied. The elderwoman joined them. Jenny glanced at her watch. "Wow, it's only six a.m. I'll be in time to teach my classes. Why don't I drop you two off at my place, I'll teach my classes and I'll let Giles know about re-cursing Angel?" "That is probably good Janna. You must know something about this curse first. As a result of the first curse, Angel will, for a time, experience brief times of incredible pain. Our curse will only work if he is still experiencing those pains." "Well, I'll ask Giles about it. Let's just get going," Jenny said feeling a little impatient. The elderwoman consented and the three of them got in Jenny's car. Jenny felt relieved when she turned the key and started driving. <> *************** Buffy awoke to the sound of an alarm clock buzzing. "Arrrggghhh," Buffy moaned, propping herself up on her elbows. "Good morning Buffy," Willow said cheerfully. Buffy dragged herself out of her makeshift bed. "I'm going to take a shower," Buffy said. Willow headed down to the kitchen. She entered the kitchen and saw Oz sitting at the kitchen table. "Morning Willow," Oz said. Willow sat next to him and he kissed her on the nose. "What was that for?" Willow asked. "Just for being Willow," Oz replied, putting his arm around her. Thirty minutes later everyone was piled into Giles' car, driving to school. They pulled into Giles' parking spot and headed for the library. Buffy opened the door to the library and everyone followed her. Everyone dropped their stuff and sat in their usual spots. "Giles, what's up with Angel? The pain thing?" Buffy asked. "Well, I did research it last night. Unfortunately, it proved fruitless," Giles replied. "Giles, you've got to stop using so many words. You could have just said you didn't find anything?" Xander asked. "Yes, well, I suggest we continue researching before class," Giles suggested. Everyone picked up a book and started reading. *************** Jenny had a song in her heart as she pulled into her parking space. She grabbed her bag and headed straight for the library. She hesitated briefly at the library door. She took a deep breath and opened the door. Five people turned to face her. They all immediately looked back down at their books. "Umm. . . hi everyone. Hi Rupert," Jenny said. "Hello Jenny," Rupert returned. "I need to talk to you," Jenny said simply. "Umm. . .alright, would you excuse us everyone?" Giles asked. "That's not necessary. You all need to hear this. I have good news. You all know at this point that I'm Romani, well, I went to see the elderwoman of my tribe two days ago and well.. .We found Angel's cure," Jenny said, slightly nervous but finally blurting it all out. The bell rang. "You what! You found! . . .you WHAT!?!" buffy exclaimed. "I felt awful about Angel turning evil. I wanted to make it up to you," Jenny tried to explain. Buffy rushed forwards and threw her arms around Jenny. "I don't know what to say," Buffy said. "Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." "We really got to get to class now, but that's great Ms. Calender. Thank you," Willow said. Xander, Oz, Willow and Buffy left for class. Jenny and Giles were left alone. "Ummm. . .I've got a class to teach," Jenny said. "Yes, yes of course. But before you go, thank you." "Umm, there's some things I need to talk to you about. I'll stop by later," Jenny said. "Yes, fine. See you then. *************** Buffy spent the morning in a daze. <> Happy-type thoughts about being with Angel again. Then her mind drifted to other things. <> Her mind went from good thoughts about Angel to worries about the curse. <> *************** Willow was getting excited. She was so excited that she missed one of the questions the teacher asked. Buffy would have gotten worried, except she was off in a world of her own. <> she kept thinking. Willow, studious, ex-nerd Willow was counting down the minutes until lunch. *************** Buffy and Willow practically sprinted to the library when the bell rang for lunch. "Hi Giles, is Ms. Calendar here?" Buffy demanded. "Hello Buffy. No Ms. Calendar hasn't arrived yet, but she should be here shortly." "Or maybe now," Jenny said, entering. "Ms. Calendar, I want to ask you some things about this curse. Is it permanent? Is there some risk? What do we need to do it? Will another moment of happiness bring back Angelus?" buffy fired off question after question. "The elderwoman is really who you should ask these questions but I think the curse is permanent. First, though, Rupert do you know if Angel has been experiencing pain? The kind that would make him fall to the ground?" "How did you know?" Buffy asked. "Yesterday, we were fighting and that exact thing happened." "It did?" Jenny sighed, feeling relieved. "Jenny, you mentioned this elderwoman? She is the central figure of the tribe right? Is she here?" Giles asked. "Yeah, she's at my place, with Alice. Can I call them?" "Yes, yes, certainly." Jenny quickly punched in her number. "Hi Alice, it's Jenny. Can I talk to the elderwoman? Okay, great. . . Hi grandmother, how are the preparations going? . . .Oh dear. Do you need more help?" Buffy Willow and Oz volunteered to help. Giles volunteered his help as well. "Grandmother, I'll come pick you up, we have 4 volunteers to help, plus me. I'll be there in a few minutes. Bye." Jenny hung up the phone. "I'll be back soon. Rupert, you think of a good excuse to get them out of class. Bye," Jenny called over her shoulder. **************** Jenny led Alice and the elderwoman around to the back door of the library. Jenny knocked on the door and Buffy pounced on the door. "Hi, you must be the elderwoman. I'm Buffy, good to meet you. Let's get going," Buffy said. "Hello, I'm Giles. . .uh, Rupert Giles. Come in, come in. Oh, I thought we could say the library club is required for cataloguing books and we need your expert advice. I told their teachers and Xander and Cordelia have volunteered to help as well." "Great! Let's not waste any more time with chit chat, let's get going!" Buffy exclaimed. "She is right. We will start now," the elderwoman decreed. *************** Spike was sitting in his chair at the table, thinking. <> Spike thought. He tried to pretend that he didn't care, that Dru's never being around didn't bother him or that the fact that she was always with Angel didn't matter to him. <> Spike thought, smiling to himself at the irony. <> the realization hit Spike. <> Spike wondered. He ran the problem over and over in his mind. Suddenly, he figured it out. <> End part 11 Don't forget to send feedback to sdouglas@camfordinfo.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: KylenRevik Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Questioning" (poem) Date: 26 Apr 1998 15:49:19 EDT Disclaimer: Spike ain't mind. (I flippin' WISH! ::drools::) Notes: From Spike's POV, about Dru, after Angel turns evil agian. Distribution: Not w/out my permission, please. Comments: YESYESYES, please, I've never posted a poem from a character's POV anywhere before, and I'd like to know if it's any good. Send all comments here, to KylenRevik@aol.com. Thankee. :) R ~ "Questioning" All the years I thought I loved her All the times I so willingly let her guide me but now I'm questioning. My choices, were they wise ones? My time, was it well spent? Or have I been living a lie without remorse? and now will she leave me if she learns? I ask myself, now that I see her with him What did I have in mind? Was it to be some sort of perfect romance that lasted forever? or did I somehow expect these emotions to wither and should I be thankful it's lasted this long. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: sarah Subject: BUFFYFIC: On A Tombstone Date: 26 Apr 1998 16:16:48 -0400 (EDT) This is my first submission of poetry anywhere, but my editor and friend Rachel told me that it was indeed good enough, so if any of you disagree, feel free to tell me but, please, don't emotionally scar me in the process. So anyway, I have three pieces, and I'll disclaim them all at once here. I don't own the characters. I do own the poetry that follows however. And at the end of each poem, for the obscurely inept, I will tell you what was actually going on, cause even Rachel was having problems on one of them. :) Archive: Yea, but tell me if it's other than the digest Archive On A Tombstone By Sarah Liz Gordy As I sit here in the darkness And dream amongst the light I see your face before me And I lose all perspective The stone has become so cold Your eyes shift before me I don't know if it is you It seems, but Are you trapped Are you watching Are you waiting Do you know what it is that he does Do you die inside every time Now I know You were not there He was alone Vindictive That he was stored away For so very long The words were different The voice the same Your love was not in it His touch was brutal The texture so close Your caress was not with him The body familiar The soul absent Forgive me for what I do It's not you I know Still A part of me has died That was alive before Author's Note: K. This is from Buffy's POV. Thinking about Angelus, how she just killed him, blah, blah, blah, the rest I think you've gotten. And, yes! I'd love to hear your impressions on this poem. Thank you for asking :) x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x X-Phile, x x sarah x FoLC, x x x and adamant believer in Angel's humanity x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x(it's just taken a leave of absence) x x x x x ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: sarah Subject: BUFFYFIC: The Dawn Date: 26 Apr 1998 16:23:00 -0400 (EDT) Here is the second poem, disclaimers in the first. Archive: Anywhere, but tell me if it's not the Digest Archive Author's Note: See end. The Dawn By Sarah Liz Gordy Such damage he has inflicted The extent I do not know He has hurt He has killed He has twisted beautiful things Into loathsome terrors He did his job well If ever he wanted to punish me He has He made it impossible for me to Return to the life I knew The love I knew He is gone now Perhaps forever I do not know I will not give him another chance Ever But how can I leave? She is stronger now I suppose But more fragile as well I can see it in her eyes There is no light Except when she first sees me Then there is fear Every time I would suffer a thousand deaths And live forever in my internal hell Of remorse and grief To erase that pain I see in her eyes In their eyes If only for one time Indeed I will spend the rest of my cursed days Atoning But what will that serve me now Nothing He has done these things In my name Now he is gone Yet I still remain Perhaps after two hundred years The pain will ease Perhaps if I kill them all No more pain for innocents No more thirst for monsters No more Then how easy it will be To wait by her graveside And watch the sun rise Author's Note: This one was from Angel's POV, good now, but a complete outcast because of the actions of Angelus... and the rest is self explainatory. x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x X-Phile, x x sarah x FoLC, x x x and adamant believer in Angel's humanity x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x(it's just taken a leave of absence) x x x x x ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: sarah Subject: BUFFYFIC: To Long Date: 26 Apr 1998 16:30:27 -0400 (EDT) This is the third poem, see first for disclaimers. Archive: Anywhere your heart desires, but do inform me, I like to know where my children are playing, unless of course, it is the Digest Archive, cause they are there alot... Author's Note: see end. To Long By Sarah Liz Gordy It's been a long time, Sir I'm sorry I've not spoken sooner Perhaps if I had I wouldn't be here Saying these words Now I won't think of that now Now I think of him I just wanted a moment Just you and I, Sir Because I think we are the only ones left Who harbor anything for him Other than hate At least I hope so Everyone says that you curse them It's understandable really After all they are horribly evil And have no soul I don't particularly like them Any more than you do But if ever one soul were penitent Sir, please, he didn't want it this way He didn't choose this All those things he did I don't believe that it was him It was the demon Why am I telling you these things You know them better than I do I suppose I needed to talk to someone To rationalize it to someone And you're the only one willing To listen Author's Note: Rachel thought Buffy was talking to the Gypsies. Guess again. She is kneeling over Angel's ashes stake in hand, praying to God for his soul. x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x X-Phile, x x sarah x FoLC, x x x and adamant believer in Angel's humanity x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x(it's just taken a leave of absence) x x x x x ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: sarah Subject: BUFFYFIC: Too Long Date: 26 Apr 1998 18:45:53 -0400 (EDT) oops. Title should read, Too Long, instead of To Long. Paint me purple and call me dumb. Sorry about the error. Sarah Liz (a very contrite one at that) x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x X-Phile, x x sarah x FoLC, x x x and adamant believer in Angel's humanity x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x(it's just taken a leave of absence) x x x x x ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Leslie S." Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Hi, my name is Leslie" (1/1) Date: 26 Apr 1998 21:38:07 PDT TITLE: Hi, My Name is Leslie AUTHOR: Leslie S. EMAIL: leslie_s_@hotmail.com DISTRIBUTION: Just Twist My Arm!!! FEEDBACK: Let me know I am not alone! Please!!!! RATING: Talk of Addiction, the kind that gives you a happy! SPOILER: None DISCLAIMER: There’s not much to disclaim here! I belong to myself and the copyright of me goes to my parents! DEDICATION: To the fine people who invented Tang! "Hi, my name is Leslie" (1/1) By Leslie S. Hi, my name is Leslie and I am a Buffaholic. (HI LESLIE!) Worse than that…I am addicted to Buffy fan fiction. I ask myself everyday, how I managed to fall so low. But I just don’t know. Maybe if I share the story of my plunge into the Hellmouth, I can keep someone else from following my path to self-destruction. It all started when I was just innocently surfing that great big world wide web. I came across this site: http://Slayerfanfic.com/. Then I came across instructions on how to join a Buffy fan fiction mailing list: http://www.freenet.hamilton.on.ca/~ag775/BUFFYFIC.HTM so I joined! I figured what the heck, at least I could count on some e-mail. Nothing harmful! Right??? When I would get home from work, I’d check my e-mail, read a few story parts and be done with it. Then I decided that I really should check my mail when I got home *and* after dinner. You know, just in case something was added while I was eating. Of course I would only do this if there was like one part left to a story. Oh, I fooled myself with that one for a while. But I couldn’t fool my friends and co-workers. (OOPS Hold up. I gotta check my e-mail!!) It used to be Lois and Clark this, Lois and Clark that. Until it went away! I needed something to fill the void, the emptiness that was my life. So suddenly, everything became Buffy this, or Buffy that, or I read the best story last night, this morning, this afternoon. People were telling me I was obsessed, addicted. But I didn’t hear them. I wasn’t listening. I was too busy checking my e-mail! I have been known to check my e-mail upwards of 12 times a day. I have even begun to write my own Buffy fan fiction. (Send me an e-mail and I’ll drop you a copy!) But I knew I had hit rock bottom when I started (oh it pains me to admit this) role-playing. Yes folks, I play "Buffy" on the #bvs channel on Undernet: http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Shores/4145/ (OH THE SHAME! My family must never know!) So yep! Here I am…29 years old addicted to a show probably aimed at demographic group 7 to 10 years younger than I actually am! (OOPS Hold up. I gotta check my e-mail!!) If any of you reading this feel you might be going down the same path, either compulsively checking your e-mail, or just generally obsessing about Buffy, I am always available to chat. You can find me several nights a week #bvs channel on Undernet. Unless I am checking my e-mail. BUFFY RULES! ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Love's Revival (4/?) Date: 27 Apr 1998 10:06:40 EDT Title: Love's Revival (4/?) Author: Michelle Email Addy: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG Spoiler: All episodes up to Killed By Death Feedback: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!! Disclaimer: Buffy and the gang belong to Joss Whedon, the WB, etc. The Story and the characters not part of the regular cast are mine! Sumary: Buffy and Angel cope with the thought of love between eachother while Angel is still evil. Buffy must face some old horrors as well as some new ones. IMPORTANT: Sequal to The Dark One Series. This story is explained as best as I could to fill in the blanks but you have to read "The Dark One" to understand it. You can check it out as well as all my other stories at: http://members.aol.com/aglx/buffywrittings.html Love's Revival Part 4 "Is she going to be okay?" Willow's voice was filled with tears as she watched her best friend's lifeless body placed on the bed. Cordelia, Xander, and Oz stood on one side of the bed while Giles stood on the other. "I don't know. She's barely breathing and she's burning up," Giles said as he placed a hand on her forehead. "What's wrong with her?" Xander ran is fingers stressfully through his hair as he watched her just lay there. "She's dying." Angel's mysterious figure approached them from out of the closet as Xander shoved Willow and Cordelia behind him and stood to protect Buffy. "Did you do this to her?" Xander said as harshly as possible. He stood face to face with Angel, a demon of darkness who had already hurt Buffy so much. He smiled slightly at the thought. "Of course I didn't do this to her; I could never kill her." Angel stepped back a bit, keeping in the shadows of the room. "Then how do you know she's dying?" Willow asked still hiding behind Xander. "Savarah." "She did this?" Giles said as he looked at Buffy again. "Yeah. Their so called fair fight, well, it wasn't very fair." "Oh my god." Giles said faintly as he looked down at Buffy. "You don't have much time. Savarah's taking her soul away from her." "What?" Oz gasped. "Savarah cast a spell on Buffy, just in case she didn't win the fight, to remove her soul; and her body can't live unless it has a soul. You only have one option, and very little time." "What's that?" "Give her mine," Angel said painfully. Savarah's words echoed in his mind: 'You still love her. Love her. Love-' "What? How?" Willow stopped as she realized the disk. "I'll be right back." She ran out of the house and got to the library as fast as she could.Everyone watched Buffy, tears filling their eyes. She meant so much to all of them. "I have to go. You know what to do. Once she has my soul inside of her...she will have to make a decision. She will know what she has to do." Angel smiled as he took one last look at her. "I will guide her." he said under his breath. "But..." Giles tried to stop him, still hoping for more answers, but Angel was gone. Almost as if he just disappeared. Giles and Xander sat next to Buffy on the bed and held her hands tightly in theirs. Minutes passed that seemed like hours. "Where is she?" Cordelia said impatiently. "She'll be here. Just relax," Xander said as he reached for her hand. "How can I relax when Buffy's about to die?" Everyone in the room turned their eyes to her. "What? I don't want her to die." Cordelia said as she turned away from Xander's hand. "I've got it," Willow said as she bounced into the room with the orb and the spell printed out on paper. "I called his soul into the orb while I was in the library. All we have to do now is get it into Buffy's body." "At the library?" Giles asked, as he thought about Angel and his mysterious disappearance. "Yeah, now let's do this before it's too late." End Part 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Aglx Subject: BUFFYFIC: Love's Revival (5/?) Date: 27 Apr 1998 10:10:15 EDT Title: Love's Revival (5/?) Author: Michelle Email Addy: Aglx@aol.com Rating: PG Spoiler: All episodes up to Killed By Death Feedback: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!! Disclaimer: Buffy and the gang belong to Joss Whedon, the WB, etc. The Story and the characters not part of the regular cast are mine! Sumary: Buffy and Angel cope with the thought of love between eachother while Angel is still evil. Buffy must face some old horrors as well as some new ones. IMPORTANT: Sequal to The Dark One Series. This story is explained as best as I could to fill in the blanks but you have to read "The Dark One" to understand it. You can check it out as well as all my other stories at: http://members.aol.com/aglx/buffywrittings.html Love's Revival Part 5 Willow chanted the spell as the orb grew brighter and brighter with every word. A bright light filled the room, and everyone had to shield their eyes from it. Suddenly, the light stopped and the room became silent. Attention was all turned to Buffy; but she didn't move, and her breath was faint. Giles reached to check her pulse. "It's getting stronger!" he yelled, as tears of joy fell from his eyes. Everyone jumped up and hugged eachother. "Hey, are you having a party without me?" a quiet voice came from Buffy's lips. "Buffy!" They all screamed in unison. "Hey, hey, watch the noise. I've got a headache that you wouldn't believe." Buffy stopped for a second, held her head and then looked up to Giles. "Angel?" "He gave his soul so you could live, Buffy." Giles' body went stiff at the pain he saw forming in her eyes. "Buffy, you have to decide," Angel's voice whispered inside her head. She smiled as she recognized his sweet voice. "Buffy?" Xander asked, noticing her smile. "I'm fine. I know what I have to do." The Slayer started to push her way out of bed, but Giles and Xander stopped her. "Don't! You're too weak." "No. I'm strong. I've got help." They looked at her, confused. "Don't try to stop me. I have to get Angel back." Buffy broke away from their grasp and got to her feet. "I've got to do this. Don't worry, I won't loose this time." "Buffy, you're not-" Willow said as she started to understand what Buffy was going to do. "Yeah, I am. I'm going to fight her and I'm going to win." She was so sure of herself that it scared them. She had just been brought back from near death, and even though she had Angel's soul inside of her they didn't think she could fight Savarah again. End Part 5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Mark Jones Subject: BUFFYFIC: When (5/?) By Rachel Jones Date: 28 Apr 1998 17:31:41 +0100 After reading this you ALL have an opinion, be it good or bad! So let me know what you think about this story - it's my first and I'll try to improve it for next time!! Thank you! If you have missed any of the other parts of this story just e-mail me and I'll send you them. Enjoy! WHEN? Buffy was terrified, she wanted to go and help her friends, for she knew the vampires werent joking and it was too big a risk to assume that they were. But she couldnt, she couldnt leave, not until Angel allowed her, for she felt certain that he was the one holding her there. She began to attempt to come up with a plan, none were any good, she needed a way to make Angel come here QUICKLY. She concentrated on nothing but Angel, she blocked the thought of her friends doom, and tried to summon Angel. She didnt bother to think about the vampires that surrounded her, she thought that their plan was to make her go to the master and retrieve her friends and then the master would attack, but she would be ready, while she was stuck waiting she may as well prepare her self. While she was planning her attack, a though crept into her mind, what if Angelus had set all of this up? He had made her come and stay and planned for the attack? She began to worry, for is he had set this up then there was no way that he would come and rescue Buffy, but maybe Angel can fight and banish the evil Angelus and then come and help her, but what help could he be? There would be no way that he would know where the others were, whereas Angelus would, she was stuck. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: IluvBtVS Subject: BUFFYFIC: Please read Date: 27 Apr 1998 17:24:07 EDT First of I just want to say that I'm sorry for buging all of y'all with this, but my e-mail has been down from April 23- today at about 5:00. As a person who is addicted to buffy fic, I would appreciate it a lot if anyone who posted could please, please, please, send it to me privately. I know this is a pain in the butt, but i would appreciate it greatly. Thanx, Britt ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: A Stroke of Luck (Part 14) Date: 27 Apr 1998 18:48:01 -0700 For disclaimers see part 1 A Stroke of Luck (part 14) ~ Don't ask me why ~ ~ Don't even try ~ They walked through the night together, barely night actually, the sky was dark, but hardly any stars were shinning. Buffy highly doubted that there were even any vamps around, however that didn't stop her from carrying her spare stake. When they rounded the corner, more than half way to Angels apartment Xander asked "Do you really think Spike has her?" Buffy knew, almost without a doubt that Spike had her... There was no proof.. but how much proof do you need to know? I mean, Willow ended up missing the exact same day that Buffy had slayed Drusilla. "I'm pretty sure" She told Xander. And after a long pause continued "Xander... look..." Buffy slowed down her pace. "Willow... Uhm... Well... If she's with Spike.. and umm.." "Buffy... Stop there" Xander sighed "I know what your going to say and I know it's not true." Xander stopped himself, on the edge of tears, taking a minute to recover before finishing his sentence "Willow can't be dead. I can feel it Buffy, she's not dead" They both stopped walking Buffy looked downwards "I'm sorry Xander" She looked genuinely sorry. "I--" "It's not your fault Buffy" Xander said, though Buffy got the impression that he didn't really mean it. That he did blame her.. And why shouldn't he? Spike would never had taken Willow had it not been for Buffy.. The continued walking, both remaining in silence, each lost in their own minds until they came to Angels place. ~~~~ Angel answered the door within two knocks. His eye's lit up when he saw Buffy standing there, though he made no move to show it. She could come with bad news. He moved aside and invited them in. "How's Giles" He asked. "Giles is fine." She said... Buffy sat down, took a deep breath and blurted out "I need to know where Spike is" "Buffy, I--" Angel began about to express his concerns when he was interrupted "Yeah, I know" Buffy said sounding annoyed. "But Willow may be endanger." Buffy's eye's pleaded with him to understand. "We think.. we haven't seen her.. since that night.. we haven't seen Spike, I mean, put two and two together." She nearly sobbed out. Angel glanced at Xander who was staring at a picture on the wall, very clearly not thinking of the picture. Angel nodded silently and Buffy let out the breath she didn't know she'd been holding. "Thank-you" She whispered. -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html 'We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure (Wish) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: A Stroke of Luck (Part 15) Date: 27 Apr 1998 18:48:41 -0700 For disclaimers see part 1 A Stroke of Luck (part 15) Angel led her to an abandoned warehouse. Buffy rolled her eyes "You've got to be kidding me? He has Willow in here?" A shudder past threw her. Just the thought of Willow being held captive to Spike was enough to make her want to gag. "So what are we waiting for?" Xander all but yelled, as he charged forwards. Buffy grabbed him as he dashed by. "Have we forgotten Willow's life is at risk here?!" Buffy pulled him down and whispered "Calm down!" Buffy's eyes scanned the perimeter, before she looked back at Xander " We're going to get Willow! But we don't know how many vamps there are guarding this place." She said, and looked around. She unfastened her cross around her neck and handed it to Xander along with a stake. "You stay here, I'll be right back" ~~~~~~~ Spike was sitting in the main level of the building. His mind was wondering around again, his thoughts were of Drusilla... Idly he thought about the 3 stages of man... The denial, then awareness, and at last acceptance Acceptance... Spike sighed loudly. Vampires don't have souls. Their souls are taken away with the first drink of immortal blood. The soul dies, the body remains. That's how it goes. But humanity, love, compassion... Why did he feel this way? He loved Drusilla. There was no doubt about it. But his Drusilla was gone. She was dead. Spikes thoughts paused... Where was the slayer? You'd think she'd be rushing to save her sweet friend. Not stalling so long.... ~~~~~~~ Buffy peeked around the corner. There were two vampires guarding the entrance... Buffy blinked. Only two? This would be a piece of cake. She thought, hoping she wasn't jinxing the hell outta this. She slowly began to sneak up on the two. A third vampire came around the corner. Buffy of course, caught up in her sneaking, didn't see him until it was to late. He grabbed her from behind. The two guards at the door turned and came after her smiling. "Slayer" the first one hissed as the two came nearer "The one and only" Buffy said, struggling to get out of the vampires grasp. "Spike will be pleased" One hissed, as the other nodded. Though as soon as they got within reach Buffy kicked out sending the first flying, and the other staggering back. Tossing her head violently back, and vampire holding her stumbled ad released her. She stood, positioned to see all three vampires, waiting for one to attack. ~~~~~ Away in Drusilla's bedroom, the small bundle that lay on top of the covers began thrashing about. Willow awoke, her head spinning. Pictures, words, lifes, all things flashed before her. Blood, fire, and people, Spike, and torches, lots of fire, endless fields of blood... Unable to focus, to think, to breathe she began to panic, her head, everything was so fast... nothing would stand still long enough for her to comprehend. Spike, Drusilla, Angel ... 'Angelus' her mind told her... Blood... there was so much blood. Willow's Eyes flew open suddenly, as she gave a shattering breath for the air she no longer needed. Her body was in panic mode, and she couldn't stop herself from the scream that escaped from her lips. ~~~~~ Spike listened to the tossing and turning coming from the other room. Her scream was well savored... Somewhat surprised at how fast her change had gone. Spike picked up a glass of blood and began walking into the bedroom room "Spike!" he heard a vampire called from behind him. Spike turned around fast enough to see the vampire turn to dust. "Hello Spike" Spike smiled, as the slayer approached him... -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html 'We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure (Wish) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: LadySun Subject: BUFFYFIC: A STroke of Luck (Part 16) Date: 27 Apr 1998 18:49:22 -0700 For disclaimers see part 1 A Stroke of Luck (Part 16) "I was just thinking of you" Spike said, setting down the goblet on a nearby create Buffy walked down the stairs, trying not to let the adrenaline pulsing through her body make her act rash. But at the site of Spike's face... She wanted so badly to rip out his heart. "Where's Willow?" She hissed. "Willow?" Spike asked, tapping his fingers on his chin. "That'd be the redhead right?" They were nearly a yard away from each other now. The tension between them was amazing. Buffy's nerves towered as she heard a heart shattering scream come from the room next to them. Her eyes widened in shock but Spike just smiled innocently. Buffy ran to the next room to get Willow before it was too late. Only to be stopped dead in her tracks by Spike "Now, now. No peeking behind the doors." Buffy immediately hit out at him, but Spike easily blocked her blow, and holding her arm, kicked her head. This disoriented Buffy a little and she staggered back a bit, giving Spike enough time to punch Buffy in the stomach a couple times, until she caught his wrist. Tightening her grip she swung Spike around, sending him flying on top of the table with a loud crash. ~~~~~ Willow's body jerked up at the loud noise echoing in her head. Willow blinked. She could barely comprehend her own surroundings, she knew she was in Spikes warehouse, and she knew also that she was in Drusilla's bedroom. The room wasn't so dark now. There were no candles lit, but she could see just fine. Only that when she did looked she saw Spike.. And then when she closed her eyes, all she saw was blood. Willow blinked over and over, trying to get her head to focus. "Spike?" Willow asked out loud to the only person who could help her. ~~~~~ Neither of the two heard her, both concentrating on each other as Buffy jumped on top of the table, straddling Spike's body, she went to meet the stake with his chest, when he kicked her feet out from under her, sending the slayer down on her back with a loud thud. Spike jumped off the table to meet with Buffy's body. ~~~~~ Her ears caught the noise from outside, ringing so loudly that all she saw was red. "Spike!" She screamed as loud as her voice would carry. ~~~~~ 'Damn it' Spikes mind yelled at him as Willow's terrified scream filled the warehouse. "Willow" Buffy whispered as her head stopped spinning. "yeah." Spike sighed, looking down at the slayers sprawled out body. "But don't worry. I'll make sure she has a happy home." Buffy didn't understand. Not at first. "But - I'm afraid that her happy home, doesn't include you." He finished as he bent down to pick up. ~~~~~ All she could think about was blood. All she could see, taste, feel, hear. Everything was blood. Without her consciously knowing Willow began to stand, unsure of exactly where she was going, she found herself at the door. She had to shake her head just to make sure she was looking at a door, her mind, her thoughts were so slow, she didn't understand what was happening to her, but she did know one thing. Blood. Grasping the door handle roughly she shook at it. It didn't budge. She shook it again, and again, until the door busted in two, and she walked out. ~~~~~ Spike grabbed Buffy and turned both their bodies towards Willow. Buffy gasped at she took one look on her friends distorted face. She shook her head, "No... No not Willow.." "'fraid so" Spike said, tightening his grip, he couldn't help but smile, this was to perfect. "C'mere, love" He said to Willow. "I have a treat for you" -- ~ ` ~ LadySun ~ ` ~ http://home.earthlink.net/~kbleyle/SD/index.html 'We look before and After, and pine for what is not; our sincerest laughter with some pain is fraught; Our sweetest songs are those that tell the saddest thought...' The Cure (Wish) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: hjrobert@nap.com Subject: BUFFYFIC: stuff Date: 27 Apr 1998 21:15:07 +0000 please, I am despret for more buffyfic!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Sarah Douglas Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Cure" (12/14) Date: 27 Apr 1998 17:41:51 DISCLAIMER: I don't own Buffy or any of the other wonderful characters in the Buffyverse. I am using them without the permission of the people who do own them who are not going to sue me because I am not making any money off this. Joss Whedon, WB, Mutant Enemy, Kusui and Sandollar own the Buffy characters. DISTRIBUTION: Just ask. RATING: Probably PG FEEDBACK: I would love to know what you all think of this. Please send me feedback. Pretty please. SUMMARY: Okay, well this takes place while Ms. Calendar is still alive, but Angel is evil, so probably Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered. It's another "Angel gets his soul back" story which I wrote to convince myself that Angel could be good again. It's kind of long and I'm sorry about that you all. AUTHOR'S MESSAGE: I would like to dedicate this part to Leslie who bravely came out in the open about her obsession with Buffy. I too am obsessed. They say that admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery. Well, I don't want to recover, so I'm not going to. Everyone enjoy the new ep. We deserve it for our patience. On with the show The Cure (12/14) The "library club" was hard at work. Under the direction of the elderwoman, they prepared many things. They combined herbs as she directed. The elderwoman suddenly turned. "Buffy, do you have any Holy water?" "Yeah, why?" Buffy asked, bewildered. "For protection, Janna must soak in Holy water. She will also need to consume a large quantity. That way, if something should go wrong and Angelus tried to feed on her, the Holy water will make him stop. Her blood will be like poison to him, and touching her will burn him. How much can we muster? Where can we get more if needed?" "Giles, how much HW you got?" Buffy asked. "HW?" Giles asked, confused. "Holy water, Giles. How much do you have?" Buffy asked. "Oh yes, HW, Holy water, very good. Twenty to twenty-five jars, I should think," Giles replied, smiling. "I got about the same at home. Will that be enough?" "How large are the jars?" the elderwoman asked. Buffy made a gesture to indicate the size of the jar. "That will be enough for Janna to soak in. We will need about twenty more for her to drink." "TWENTY JARS!?! How am I supposed to drink that much?" Jenny exclaimed. Jenny and the elderwoman began discussing the Holy water. The phone rang and Willow got it. "Giles, what church should I break into to get more HW?" Buffy asked. "I would recommend the nearest church," Giles smiled at buffy's matter of factness about breaking and entering. Willow put the phone on the counter with enough of a bang to make everyone turn to face her. "Buffy, there's someone on the phone for you. It's Spike. And he wants to help us re-curse Angel." *************** Angel was sitting on Dru's bed watching her play with her dolls. She would take care of them, mother them and then suddenly, she'd lash out at them. <> he thought, grinning at the thought that he caused it. Nonetheless, he was bored. <> *************** Buffy was stunned that Spike was on the phone, but nevertheless she picked up the receiver. "Hi Spike. What's up?" "Hello Buffy. I have a proposition to make. Are you trying to re-curse Angelus?" "Okay, you have my full attention. What do you mean?" "Well, this may be hard to believe, but I want to help you." "And I should believe you why?" "Look, this sounds strange, I know, but we can actually help each other out here. You want the Angelus with a soul, I want him away from my Dru. Giving him back that soul satisfies that . What can I so to help you?" "Will you hang on a sec, Spike? I gotta talk to Giles." "Sure, I'll call back in. . .how long do you need?" "Gimme a half an hour." "Alright, bye." "Bye Spike." *************** Buffy paced around the library. School had let out two hours ago. Buffy was anxious about the ritual. She's talked to Spike, and his job was to call once Angel left to hunt and to tell them where he was going to hunt. Buffy and Ms. Calendar would go there, Buffy would distract him and ms. Calendar would put a spell on Angel that would make him completely helpless. They would go to the library where everything would be set up for the ritual. Buffy wanted to whole thing over with. "Giles, I'm going to get the Holy water." *************** Willow was dripping wax over the floor of the library under the careful guidance of the elderwoman. Willow was really happy and excited. <> she thought. <> Willow gently poured the melted wax on the floor. <> Willow remembered. Willow continued pouring the wax. *************** Xander measured out another herb who's name he couldn't pronounce. <> Xander thought sarcastically. But Xander was kind of relieved. Buffy had taken this whole thing pretty hard. <> *************** Spike rolled back to the table. He felt a little bit bad, a little like a traitor. <> Spike thought. "Hey roller-boy!" Angel said. Spike just sat at the table. "Aw, don't sulk Spikey. What's the matter, can't take a joke?" Angel continued. "Hi Angelus. Where's Dru?" Spike asked. She's taking a little nat before dinner. She got a little worn out," Angel replied. Spike gave a little laugh. "If you're trying to make me jealous Angelus, it won't work," Spike replied. "Not why would I want to do something like that?" Angel asked, pretending to be innocent. "Fine Angelus," Spike said calmly. <> Spike thought. *************** Buffy walked towards the church that was only a few blocks away. She quietly snuck around to the side where she knew the offices were. <> buffy carefully looked in every window. Buffy didn't see anyone. Through on window she saw a large supply of Holy water. <> Buffy opened the window and pushed herself in. She quickly scouted to make sure no one was around. When she was satisfied that no one was there. She grabbed all the Holy water she needed and went back out the window. Buffy walked as quickly as she could back to the library. *************** Buffy watch anxiously out the window as the sun sank below the horizon. "Sunset," she declared the second the sun sank below the horizon. Buffy moved to a chair beside the phone, waiting for Spike's call. Finally, the phone rang. "Show time," Buffy said, and picked up the phone. *************** Buffy and Jenny grabbed their stuff, getting ready to go. Before they left, Buffy picked up two crossed. "Here Ms. Calendar, you need one of these. I want to be prepared, and I want you to be able to protect yourself," Buffy said handing Jenny a cross. "Okay, the rest of you, we'll be back in a bit." Buffy looked over at Giles, who seemed a bit nervous. Impulsively, buffy gave Giles a hug. "Don't worry Giles, everything will be fine," Buffy whispered. "Let's go Buffy," Ms. Calendar said. "Okay, coming," Buffy replied. "Good luck," everyone called out after them. *************** Angel lay in wait for Buffy, the same as the night before, calmly sitting in the corner. She was, in fact, just outside the graveyard, quietly waiting until Ms. Calendar was ready. Ms. Calendar was ready. Ms. Calendar gave the signal. Buffy went into the graveyard. Angel came out of the shadows. "Hi lover," Angel said. "Can we skip the feeble banter, just for tonight? I didn't come here to talk, I came here to fight," Buffy replied. "Fine by me," Angel said. Then he attacked. Buffy was ready though, and she blocked his attack and got in two quick punched which left Angel a little off balance. He waited as she attacked and he used her momentum to knock her backward, but in the process he got knocked backwards too. Buffy was quicker on her feet and she kept him from getting up. At the same time Ms. Calendar had come in and was speaking the words of the spell to leave him helpless. Buffy had no clue what Ms. Calendar was actually saying, but she caught "Angelus" a couple of times. Angel realized what was happening and started trying to get away, but Buffy managed to stop him, throwing him against the cemetary wall. Jenny finished her chant and Angel fell to the ground. "Done," Ms. Calendar announced. "Great,' Buffy replied with a huge smile, "I'll grab him and let's go!" End part 12 Feedback to sdouglas@camfordinfo.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Blu2cool Subject: BUFFYFIC: my first posting to this list... (Temporary Insanity 1 of 1) Date: 27 Apr 1998 23:15:07 EDT Temporary Insanity (or Without Internet) by Blu (Blu2cool@AOL.com) Disclaimer: All things Buffy belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, the WB, etc. I make no claims to them and no copyright infrengement is intended. No spoilers at all, except that Oz is in this story, so I guess that would make it about Surprise/Innocence... All comments welcome to the author's email. Thanks! The story: A deafening scream interrupted the sanctity of the library. Giles, who was reading a bulky leather-bound book, while standing up, dropped it. The book landed with a thud. Xander was eating a Twinkie and he swallowed it whole, immediately choking. He doubled over, coughing and spluttering. Cordy had be leaning over the table, but when she heard the scream she jumped and let out a shriek. Willow, who had screamed, stomped her foot angrily, and slapped her hands down on the keyboard of "her" (technically, the library's) computer. "Aaaaugh!" Willow whacked the top of the monitor, none to gently either. "Let" (whack) "me" (whack) "have" (whack) "on!!!" Thump. Her fist crashed into the modem. The library doors flew open. Oz ran in. "What's wrong??!" he demanded, confused. Xander, Cordelia, and Giles all stood openmouthed, gaping at Willow. Xander managed to point to Willow, and she continued her not-so-little tantrum. Oz didn't even blink. He strode over to Willow, dodging the mousepad that was flung in his direction. Before Willow could help the mouse follow its counterpart, Oz grabbed her upper arms and turned her to face him. "Willow, Willow! What's up, cutie?" Oz asked lightly, forcing her to look into his face. Willow's eyes were wide and angry. "The computer!" Willow hissed, trembling with rage. "I tried to get on the Internet and-" Willow pulled away from Oz with another shriek. She turned toward the computer. "Willow," Oz warned ominously. She paused. "You know that's school property." Willow turned to face Oz, her face reddening with her anger. "You don't understand!" She shouted, advancing on Oz. "It wouldn't let me on the Internet!" Oz stayed cool, even as Willow closed in on him. < Can anything ruffle his feathers? > Willow wondered in the back of her mind. < Maybe we'll just find out. > Oz raised his hand in surrender. "Can't you try again?" he asked. Willow kept coming closer. "I tried again," Willow's decibel level returned to a more normal level, causing Oz to relax prematurely. Her next words froze him in place. "20 times." Willow's voice was cool, as were her eyes. < Icy was more appropriate > Oz thought. Willow took another step toward Oz. Only a foot of space separated them now. Willow raised her arm and ran her hand down the side of Oz's face. He remained absolutely still. Willow moved in on him and placed a taunting kiss on his lips. Oz swallowed. Xander chose that moment to try to intervene. "Willow, come on. It's just a computer," he soothed. His words grated on Willow's nerves. She turned on Xander quickly. "Stay out of this, Xander!" she screamed. Oz felt his eardrums pop. < So much for the decibel thing. > "Just a computer," she muttered, turning back to Oz. Her eyes flashed. Strangely, Oz found this attractive (in some weird werewolf sort of way). He smiled unconsciously. "You think this is funny??!" Willow's voice could've been heard from the football stadium (wasn't there one in "Some Assembly Required"?). "No," Oz growled, rubbing his ears. < I guess I'm tired of playing games. > Oz gritted his teeth. "Sit down!" he ordered in a voice that demanded Willow obey. She did. Willow looked up at Oz with surprised eyes. Then her eyes filled with tears. "I want my Internet!" Willow wailed pitifully. She sobbed into her hands. Oz looked over her head to Xander and Cordelia and Giles. He face asked them what was wrong. Xander raised his eyebrows and shrugged. Cordy was staring at Willow like she'd sprouted fangs and a "game face". Giles looked on helplessly. He anxiously took off his glasses, played with them for a second, then placed them back on their precarious position on his nose. Oz patted Willow's back comfortingly. She looked up at him, tears still streaking down her face. Her eyelashes were matted with tears. Then her mouth opened in a silent scream and her eyes widened with fright, staring at something behind Oz. Oz turned around quickly, expecting a scary monster of some kind, but saw nothing. He glanced carefully at Willow again. She continued to stare at a spot behind Oz. The others looked around the room but saw nothing. "Miss Calendar?" Willow asked shakily. The group in the library looked at Willow in shock. Giles' face noticeably paled, and his hands began to shake. Cordy moved closer to Xander, who placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Is it really you?" Willow's voice was now reduced to a whisper. She saw the faint figure of Miss Calendar step toward her. "It's me. In a way." Willow watched the ex-computer teacher walk past her to the computer and gently run her hand over the top of the monitor. "Is something wrong with the computer?" Miss C. asked quietly. Willow shook her head 'no', wiping her face with her hands. "The phone lines are too busy, and it won't let me get on the Internet!" Willow felt her spunk returning. "I just wanted to get on the Internet!" Willow stood and took her place at the computer. She sank into her comfy chair. "Try one more time, Willow, for my sake," the almost invisible Miss C. said patiently. "Okay." Willow logged onto the Internet in less than a minute. "Hey, it worked!" she exclaimed happily. "Miss Calendar it worked!" she turned to look at the teacher but Miss C. was already gone. Vanished. Willow's face fell, but then she slowly turned to the computer and a smile brightened her face. The other four occupants of the library looked at each other with raised eyebrows. They shook their heads and tried to clear their brains. Had any of that really happened? Or had the last hour been all a dream? Will they ever know the truth? Willow surely won't tell. The end ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: sah Subject: BUFFYFIC: ADMIN: List rules Date: 28 Apr 1998 10:52:36 -0400 Welcome! This list is for fiction related to "Buffy The Vampire Slayer," both the TV series and the movie. To ensure that we all get to enjoy as much fiction as possible, please adhere to the following guidelines, and please save them for future reference. 1. Fiction should have Buffy characters in it and clearly be related to Buffy. Crossovers are great, and expected, but general vampire/monster stories that aren't in the Buffy universe and don't use Buffy characters belong somewhere else. 2. Discussion of posted fiction is permitted onlist. Please put "DISCUSS" in your subject line. Requests for missing story parts should go directly to the author, and not be posted to the list. Discussion that is not related directly to the fiction should go over to the general Buffy list. 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Jill Kirby (jtkirby@mcs.com) & sah (romana@mindspring.com) Listowners, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Fiction List buffyfic@xmission.com sah * romana@mindspring.com * romana@aol.com NatPack * Jungle Patrol * Bishop * Bossy the Lost Dwarf * BTVS Listowner "I feel nauseous. What is this world coming to, that a perfectly nice, reasonably sane atheist who forwards me slash and thrives on Xena subtext, can suddenly start watching 7th Heaven and planning FIC, for Elvis' sake?" --jk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Mark Jones" Subject: BUFFYFIC: That Night [By Rach Jones] Date: 29 Apr 1998 17:59:57 +0100 OK – I have decided to send this poem to you all before I send the rest of my story, I HAVE to know what you think about this!!! So please, please, please tell me, I don’t mind what you say, any comments or questions will be greatly appreciated – and replied to! Rach@altitudeprods.demon.co.uk Please send stuff to that address not the Mark Jones one above!! Thank you for reading all of that waffle, and now I present to you my first ever Buffy poem and the first poem of mine that I have allowed people to read!! Enjoy: THAT NIGHT The sun set, The wind howled, The vampires rose. ‘New ones obviously’ All four were dead, But something remained… The rain began to fall, The temperature dropped, The place felt different. ‘What is out there?’ A foot crunched on the leaves, They were coming… The feet crunched again, The noise getting louder, The Slayer was worried. ‘Who could it be?’ A hand came down on her shoulder, She jumped and turned… The hand was death but comforting, The face was cold yet inviting, The Slayer felt cold but warm. “Where have you been?” “Looking for you” “Well, I’ve found you now” The wind was gone, The Slayer felt happy, They would always be together, In life and death, Buffy and Angel. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Blu2cool Subject: BUFFYFIC: Must Be the Weather (a Spike story) (1/2) Date: 28 Apr 1998 16:50:33 EDT I felt like I was suffocating, even though I didn't really breath. I was torn up with jealousy, and I forced myself to hide it form Angelus and Dru. If he knew...well, let's just leave it at he'd torment me even more, if that was possible. So every day while Dru and Angelus slept I crept (as much as on can creep in a wheelchair) to the farthest corner of the warehouse and made use of my legs. I pushed myself as far over the edge as I dared, ignoring the pain when it wasn't enough to make me faint. I fought with myself, using rage and jealousy as my weapons, making them the strength with which I could go on walking. And after I could walk, I paced. For hours on end, I paced, rebuilding the muscles the Slayer had so carelessly destroyed. I still played the part of a cripple, though, and pretended to ignore the way Angelus and MY Dru kept leaving together for the hunt. They never asked me to go with them. If they would've I'd have jumped up and exclaimed, "Let's get to it then!" And I paced. Until the Plan came to me one day when I was angrier than usual. Angelus and Dru had stayed out all night last night. The Plan was brilliant. Get the help of the Slayer to kill Angelus. Surely I could talk her into it, make her believe that all I wanted was to get rid of him. Then Dru would be mine and only mine. The next night I waited anxiously for Angelus and Dru to leave for the hunt. Finally they did, without a backward glance. A whisper of a growl escaped my lips. Once this was over...I never allowed myself to finish that thought. I quickly dismissed all the "servants" as Dru tended to call them. Then in an instant I was on my feet and outside. I had missed the cold chill of the nights...I allowed a small smile to play on my face for a brief moment. I found Buffy in the graveyard, just where I expected her to be. I didn't approach her from the open, I wasn't fool enough to think I was back to full strength yet. I watched as she paced back and forth. Stalked would have been a better word for it. I wondered if I looked this angry when I paced. The Slayer was ready when a small female vampire flew from a new grave, staking it in a few seconds. I made my move. I was behind her before she could sense my presence. I pinned her arms to her sides in a quick movement. She froze. I carefully guarded my game face, not wanted her to get the wrong impression (author's note: is there a right impression of vampires?). "Slayer," I greeted cheerfully. Buffy tried to head-bang me but I was ready for that and dodged it. "What do you want?" Buffy hissed angrily. "Not you, don't worry," I murmured near her ear. "Not tonight." I moved my face within biting range. Then I released the Slayer in a very risky venture. She turned to me prepared to fight. I shoved my hands in my jacket pockets, another dangerous thing to do. Buffy let her stance relax slightly. She glanced around the graveyard. "Where are all your minions?" she asked suspiciously. "They're at home, watching Interview with a Vampire and making jokes about Brad Pitt." When all else fails, try humor. Buffy tried to hide a smile, but I saw it first. I slowly smiled in return. "So...what do you want?" Buffy asked me, replacing a stake in her jacket sleeve. "Dru." My answer was curt. Buffy's brows furrowed in an amusing way. "I thought you already had her," she commented, now thoroughly confused. A good thing, in my eyes. "Not anymore," I said, sitting down on a nearby bench. My legs weren't going to last me much longer. < I just hope this works. > "Not since Angelus came back," I stated vehemently. "You want to get rid of Angel?" she asked, disbelief written all over her face. I nodded gravely. "Ever since he killed that teacher, he's been really cocky." I purposely pushed the sore spot. "And he's taken Dru away from me." Buffy bristled. < Good girl. > "Don't you want to get rid of him, once and for all?" I asked slowly, ready to bolt should Buffy decide she didn't like what I was saying. Her shoulders slumped weakly. The Slayer nodded sadly. "But I can't seem to do it on my own," Buffy admitted with a frown. "I have a plan," I offered casually. "I'm listening." She wiped her hand across her eyes. "If they see us together, you and me, they'll go nuts. Dru's very possessive," I added for Buffy's benefit. "So's Angel," Buffy muttered. She took a step closer to me. "But do you really think seeing us together would distract them enough for us to get the jump on him?" I hedged. "Well, uh...that is...um..." Buffy glared at me. "We'd have to do more than just be seen together." "Like how much more?" Buffy's voice came as close to a growl as any human's I've ever heard- living, that is. I cleared my throat, watching the Slayer closely, should she up and decide to stake me. "Like kissing more," I said softly. Buffy's eyes showed her disgust, although her face remained neutral. Something inside of me got a sharp pain. "Just one kiss?" Buffy asked reluctantly. I nodded quickly, before she changed her mind. "Only one." "And how do I know you aren't setting me up? That this isn't some elaborate trap?" I stood and turned to go. "You'll just have to trust me." "Easier said than done," I heard her mutter. "What if you're thinking of killing two birds with one stone and killing both me and Angelus?" Buffy called out. She jogged a few feet to catch up with me. "Meet me tomorrow at sunset at the front of the warehouse, if you're in. I'll dismiss the 'minions' and then open the door for you, as soon as Angelus and Dru leave." I stopped walking and turned to her. "Oh, and wear something..." Buffy got my meaning. "Right," she said sarcastically. And I walked away, leaving the Slayer in the cemetary. I couldn't do this without her, killing Angelus. I needed her help. And that chilled my bones. ******* Sunset. Dru and Angelus left quickly, and I immediately sent all the 'servants' out with a request to bring me back three young women. For them, the task would take all night. I knew they would return just an hour before sunrise. It was typical of them. I opened the door carefully, to find Buffy pacing in front of it. I really would have to talk to her about that particular habit. I stepped back courteously and the Slayer walked in warily. She glanced around the room. "They're all gone," I informed her, walking around her to one of the chairs. I sat to conserve my strength. I examined the Slayer. She wore a long black coat, hiding everything else beneath it. "Well..." Buffy murmured, looking uncomfortable. Extremely uncomfortable. I tried not to grin. "Something to drink?" I asked. I motioned at the table before me. Crystal tumblers and a large crystal pitcher graced it's top. Buffy walked over to the table, keeping as far away from me as she could. "Wonderful," she whispered. "Glass things for me to break when I fight." I laughed aloud. This Slayer was too much fun! Buffy shot a startled look at me. I grinned at her. "Planning on wearing your coat all night?" I asked offhand. The Slayer flushed slightly, but shed her coat immediately. I gulped when I glimpsed her dress. It was midnight blue, and sleeveless. It was flared from the waist down, and short, showing off a *lot* of Buffy's skin. I was not able to think of anything else intelligent enough to say. < No wonder Angelus fell for her. > Buffy placed her coat on the table. "It was the only one I had that I didn't mind ruining. I ruin whatever I fight in," she admitted with a laugh. She tugged at the hemline of her dress. "So what exactly *is* the plan?" I stood and pulled my wheelchair out from the corner of the room. "Dru and Angelus have no idea that I can walk," I said guiltily. "They won't be expecting me to help you." Buffy nodded her assent. She crossed her arms and leaned lazily against the table. I knew that it was a front. But a very good one. This Slayer wasn't lowering her guard for a moment. She knew me all too well. "So what time are our elusive hunters expected to return?" I paced across the floor and back again. "Not for another hour at least." Buffy sat down on top of the table and crossed her legs. My eyes traveled to her half-boots half-heels. < How can she even fight in those? > I forced myself to tear my eyes away from her. Buffy picked up the pitcher from the table and examined its deep purple contents carefully. "What is it?" she asked me curiously. "It's grape juice," I replied, pacing over to one of the boxes nearby where I had hidden a few stakes. I took them out and over to the table. I noticed Buffy hadn't served herself a drink. < She probably thinks I poisoned it. > I laid the stakes down. The Slayer nodded. She pulled three of her own out of some recess of her clothing. "I always come prepared." I shook my head in amusement. Here we were. We had been having a conversation for over an hour, a vampire and a Slayer and neither one of us had tried to kill the other. < Must be the weather. > I checked my watch. "Twenty more minutes." Buffy jumped up and joined my in my pacing. She looked about ready to burst. < I guess hanging with Angelus hasn't cured her nervousness around vampires any. > Together we paced until only five minutes remained before Dru and Angelus would return. Quickly I hid the stakes in a pocket on my chair. I sat down and motioned Buffy over to me. She questioned me with her eyes. "Come here," I commanded. Buffy obeyed slowly. "They'll be back any minute," I told her. I sat down in the wheelchair. Buffy stood awkwardly in front of me. "Come here!" I pretended exasperation. In reality I was worried about what we were getting ready to do. Especially Angelus' reaction. If the suspense didn't kill me, he would sure try. I reached out and pulled Buffy into my lap. She huffed angrily. "When you hear the door open, kiss me," I mumbled. If I had had any blood in my veins, it would've all been gathered in my cheeks at this moment. Buffy adjusted her position on my lap. I felt the chair tilt sideways and shifted my weight to compensate. My ears picked up on the faint sound of footsteps. "That's them," I hissed. My stomach flip-flopped. Buffy nodded, not looking at me, and leaned closer. I heard the footsteps coming closer and closer and then they stopped. I pulled Buffy's head down to mine. I listened as the door opened and Angelus and Dru walked in. Buffy's arms were wrapped tightly around my neck. I could feel her hands shaking. The kiss ended soon enough, when an outraged scream was heard from across the room. Angelus was fairly shaking with rage. Drusilla stood behind him, staring openmouthed at the two of us. "Angel!" Buffy exclaimed, pretending guilt. "What are you doing here?" She hopped off my lap and went to stand beside me. "Spike!" Angelus roared. I flinched at the tone of his voice. "Just what do you think you are doing?!" His volume remained that of a bugling elk. He took two steps closer to us. "I was just having some fun," I drawled as calmly as I could. I had never seen Angelus this angry before. I tugged Buffy closer. She leaned down and placed another kiss on my lips for good measure, surprising me. Dru let out a shriek and came flying at us. Buffy sidestepped and pulled me out of the way with her. She pretended to support me, and slipped me a stake. Now both Angelus and Dru were coming at us. I quit faking and pulled Dru out of the way while Angelus went after Buffy. He was so distracted with his rage that he didn't even notice as the stake was plunged straight in his heart. With an unearthly scream he was reduced to a pile of dust. Dru pulled away from me with another shriek and lunged for the Slayer. I snagged the back of her dress and shouted Buffy's name. She quickly looked at me, tears running down her face and bolted from the warehouse, not bothering to take her coat with her. I held Dru back until she was far enough away that Dru couldn't possibly catch her, and then released my hold. Dru fell, weeping hysterically, to the floor over Angelus' ashes. I watched her for as long as I could bear and then turned and fled. < My Dru doesn't love me anymore. > I ran through the streets, not caring where I went. Nothing would soothe me now. Then I saw a bent figure sitting on a swing at the park playground. The Slayer. I walked quietly over to her. "Hey," I said, taking a step to the left, so as not to get hit with that stake she threw at me. "Don't do that!" Buffy exclaimed. I retrieved her stake for her. "Thanks." "Why so blue, Slayer?" I asked. I leaned against a nearby pole, almost forgetting what I had been running from. Buffy's face fell. "I just kept hoping there would be some way to get him back," she muttered sadly. She looked up at me. "Why are you upset? I thought you'd be back having a PART-ay with Drusilla." I looked away. "Unfortunately, Dru wasn't in the partying mood. She's not the same, since..." "I know how she feels." Buffy stood up, and stretched lazily. "I need to get home..." "The sun is about to come up." I stayed where I was. This was the second time in one day I had been close to the Slayer and hadn't even had an urge to kill her. < Am I losing my touch? > I watched the Slayer walk off, then headed off in my own direction. I didn't return to the warehouse. I was too afraid to face Dru. Instead I holed up in the sewers. And paced. *********** The next evening, as soon as the sun was safely down, I crept back to the warehouse like a dog with it's tail between its legs. I didn't go in, actually I didn't even get near it. Hysterical weeping could be heard blocks away. Shamefaced, I turned and ran away. *********** Dawn announced itself with streaks of pink across the sky. I reconsidered on last time what I was doing. This rooftop of one of Sunnydale's many downtown stores provided no cover from the sunlight. I glanced around. The streets were deserted, no one would see me go. I closed my eyes for a brief second and wished that things were different. Nothing had turned out right. I wasn't supposed to fall for the Slayer, or have Dru NOT accept me back. True, Angel was out of the picture, but the sadness of the two women who meant the most to me had ruined any joy I could have gotten out of his death- er, destruction. I ran a hand through my short hair and felt the first rays of the sun burn my skin. I panted in pain and gritted my teeth. A startled shriek behind me told me I had been spotted. No matter. In minutes I would be no more. Strong hands lifted me and roughly pulled me inside a metal door. It clanged closed. "No," I mumbled, hardly coherent anymore. "What do you think you were doing?" a familiar, and loved, voice demanded. Buffy sat down, holding me up. We were in a dark stairwell. The air was cool. "Isn't it obvious?" I tried to move away from her but she held me still. "Then you probably should've tried it on a different roof. This is my mother's art store. Not a good place to commit suicide. Especially when I'm here." I realized my mistake. Now I had to escape. If only I could reach the door. In my heart I knew I would do whatever she asked me. < Stupid muscle > Buffy looked at the burns on my face and hands. She looked confused as to why she had just saved a vampire. Then she shrugged. "I never learn my lessons soon enough," she murmured, leaning toward me. I searched her face for any signs of the disgust she had displayed before. There was none. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: DISCUSS: BUFFYFIC: Must Be the Weather (a Spike story) (1/2) Date: 28 Apr 1998 18:51:48 -0400 Do it again! Do it again! -Ingrid _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: JMHnoodles Subject: DISCUSS: BUFFYFIC: Must Be the Weather (a Spike story) (1/2) Date: 28 Apr 1998 19:05:06 EDT Oooh, I like it! Get the next part out, fast! Jen ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: KylenRevik Subject: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: Showing Instead of Telling, & Other Stuff Date: 28 Apr 1998 19:42:06 EDT Okay. Now, I know I've only been on this list for, oh, say, under a week, but I was just wondering...it seems to me, in a lot of the fic I've been reading, that people do an awful lot of "telling" instead of "showing". Yes, I've seen exceptions to this, so *please* no one take offense-- because even that fic which I've thought could use some work was very, very well done. But basically, what I'm wondering is the amount of writing experience the writers here have. I like critiquing people's work, and so far from what I've seen people on the list want critiques...I just kinda need to know if I should be looking for very, very broad things like continuity or if I should be looking for the more nitpicky (but extremely effective where storytelling is concerned) things like dialects and accents and thoughts. To address one thing, just very broadly, the idea of "telling" instead of "showing". In all the writing classes I've taken, one of the first things drilled into our heads was "Show, don't tell." This philosophy is illustrated by the following. ~ Number 1 is an example of "telling". Spike was annoyed that Dru was being a pest, but he didn't show it. Number 2, an example of "showing": Spike sighed, biting back his initial impulse to push Dru's hand out of the way. "C'mon, love," he said through his teeth, "you know I 'aven't got time f'that sort've thing." Dru's expression shifted to a pout, and she cradled her doll close, protectively. "But Spiiiike," she whined-- (Spike winced. Whining, his Dru! He cursed inwardly, wishing there were a tactful way to tell her to shut up without hurting her feelings--) "Spike, I want you to come an' play wit' me an' Miss Emily. She wants a tea party." "No, Dru." "Spike--" "Pet," he said, picking his words slowly and meticulously, "I think it'd be best if you didn't insist upon that right now, s'that sound all right, then, love?" Dru looked at him for a moment, then turned and skipped out of the room. The moment she was out of sight, Spike let out a breath he had barely realized he'd been holding in. He rubbed his hand over his chin, shaking his head slowly. *Much as I love her,* he thought, *sometimes...* The thought trailed off, though, unfinished, and Spike turned back to the work he'd been doing. ~ Obviously, "2" takes a lot more time to do than "1", but the end result is definately a more engaging sort of writing, IMHO. Anyway. I realize I'm quite running at the mouth here, and hope you all will forgive me...I just thought maybe I could bring up a couple quick points that would *really* improve some of the writing I've seen on the list in the past week or so that I've been around. Responses welcome, I'd like to see what some other people have to say about this. My $.02 (tho I prolly spent that quite a while back) Rachel ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Blu2cool Subject: Re: DISCUSS: BUFFYFIC: Must Be the Weather (a Spike story) (1/2) Date: 28 Apr 1998 21:25:10 EDT In a message dated 4/28/98, ingrid29@juno.com writes: > Do it again! Do it again! That's the most enthusiastic response I have gotten so far. ::giggles:: I'll have the next part up as soon I can. I promise. Thanks to all you guys who have given me positive feedback, I love getting it! Blu Blu2cool@AOL.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: JMHnoodles Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: Showing Instead of Telling, & Other Stuff Date: 28 Apr 1998 23:08:08 EDT In a message dated 98-04-28 19:44:03 EDT, you write: << Okay. Now, I know I've only been on this list for, oh, say, under a week, but I was just wondering...it seems to me, in a lot of the fic I've been reading, that people do an awful lot of "telling" instead of "showing". Yes, I've seen exceptions to this, so *please* no one take offense-- because even that fic which I've thought could use some work was very, very well done. >> I'd have to say that I completely agreed with everything Rachel said. I heard a really, really good saying once: "Never write anything you wouldn't be ashamed to have read aloud at your funeral." If you're going to bother to write something and share it with others, you *should* pay attention to the nitpicky little things like accents and character types and such. Take the time to flesh things out. When you write dialogue, think hard, "Is this something this character would say? Would he/she say it this way?" I've only posted one fic to this board and I've begun to post another to the Slayer Fanfic site (I'm kinda apprehensive about sending it here). Guess how many I have saved in my computer? About 20. I won't post them, I don't think they're good enough. BE YOUR OWN WORST CRITIC. I often don't write feedback because I won't lie to people. Just make the story as true to form as it possibly can be! :-) Jen (who has used up her all her 2 centses for the rest of this life,a nd probably many after) PS- And for Pete's sake, have someone spell- and grammar-check your fics. PPS- I'm going to start critiquing things now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: "Bitten" (1/1) by Ingrid Date: 28 Apr 1998 23:09:39 -0400 Disclaimer: Cordelia Xander, and Buffy are the property of Wheedon, the WB, Sandollar, Kuzui, and M. E. No infringement intended. "The Phantom of the Opera" is the Webber peoples’ thingy! Again, nothing is mine! I’m just an unoriginal hack! Summary: Wow! Everybody who liked the last ep. a whole lot, raise your hand!! Three cheers for Spike, the man! Anyway, the *one* element the episode lacked (for me, anyway,) was real Cordy emotion. So consider this an add on to "I have Eyes Only for You." A vignette, if you will. SPOILERS: As you may have guessed, there *are* spoilers for to "I have Eyes Only for You." They’re pretty minimal, if you ask me. *** "Bitten," by Ingrid *** Cordelia’s reflection stared back at her anxiously through the mirror as she peeled the gauze from her cheek. The two red holes were still there… like a vampire’s kiss. She shuddered. It had been horrible. She’d always harbored a special fear of snakes in the recesses of her mind ever since the third-grade science fair. Bobby’s project had tipped over, and there’d been glass and snakes everywhere. That’s why she’d dumped him on the spot. Even with the bite mark on her ankle, she’d managed to march out of the gym looking dignified. True, she’d collapsed in the hall after about 2 steps outside, but only Harmony had seen that. The mark on her ankle was barely visible, and she always wore socks now. God forbid bare feet came into fashion again. Now she had two tremendous bloody marks on her face, and no amount of makeup was going to help her out. She grimaced and touched near one of the wounds. Her hand snapped back at the pain she felt. Reluctantly, she looked back up at the mirror. She covered the right side of her face with her hand and wondered whether masks might suddenly become the trend of the moment. She was thinking of something in the way of "The Phantom of the Opera." What the hell did she care, anyway, she thought, wincing as she re-affixed the bandage. It wasn’t like her popularity was soaring these days, anyway. She’d hardly spoken to any of her friends since the love-spell disaster, and she’d been eating lunch with Buffy. She didn’t feel like the same person, even when she’d brushed her hair and touched up her lipstick. No amount she could apply would conceal the fact that her life was changing. Who she was was changing. A part of her screamed against it, disgusted with anything in her that would condescend to the life she’d been leading for the past month-and-a-half. But there was something that wasn’t protesting at all- something that enjoyed hunting for the latest demon, joining in the juvenile banter in the library. Literally coming out of the closet with Xander. She patted the patch on her face and smiled suddenly. She looked ridiculous. The crumpled up bandage was loosing its adhesive, barely dangling on her face. Her overly red lipstick made her look like she’d been eating too many ice-pops, and that smile was definitely a fool’s smile. So let there be a scar. Let there be something to mark this point in her life. So even if she turned around, she’d remember it when she looked in the mirror. She wiped off her lipstick and left the room. *** FIN. Short and sweet. Comments apprectiated. And for those of you wondering if I’m ever gonna finish "Reunion," I’d like to assure you that I’m trying. Really! I have SAT’s this weekend. Just give me time, okay? _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: tthwaite@banff.net (tj thwaites) Subject: BUFFYFIC: The Rope -- poem (1/1) by tj thwaites Date: 28 Apr 1998 23:41:55 -0600 Title: The Rope Author: tj thwaites E-mail: tthwaite@banff.net Classification: poem Spoilers: none Summary: Buffy's POV, thoughts one morning after another run in with Angelus. Disclaimer: Buffy belongs to the great God Joss (tj genuflects humbly). The Rope The end of my rope is very near. I can feel it in my bones. I'm draining the last of my reserves And my strength begins to fail. I wonder if I can go on If I have the will to live. I know I can't go on this way. I don't know what to do. But can I take the final path And end my woes right now? Can this be my one and final friend? Will it ease the pain? My troubles will definitely come to an end. But what about the others? I am not a desert island in the sea, Though I sometimes feel that way. I am still connected to the world And those others-they would not know That I have reached the end of my will. And have nowhere to turn. But somehow, I find solace in these words That I place upon this page. And as the dawn lights up my room The new day cheers me up. And to my surprise there is a huge knot At the end of my rope To which to hang with tooth and nail And gather new strength For the long climb back up to the world. Then the mirror smiles back. End Author's Note: I wrote this poem ten years ago during a really rough patch of real life. But I think it could apply to Buffy. Feedback welcome at tthwaite@banff.net. Flames will be used to heat my hot chocolate. ta, tj Noel:"Disappointment doesn't kill." Abby:"Right. Rejection kills. Disappointment only maims." -- "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" If you can keep your head when those about you are losing theirs,you obviously don't know what's going on. Your heart is where your duty lies, your head is just along to help with the driving. An optimist sees the glass half full A pessimist sees the glass half empty And a realist understands that soon he's going to have to wash the glass @-}-}-- tj thwaites @-}-}-- @-}-}-- tthwaite@banff.net @-}-}-- @-}-}-- Box 2890, Banff, AB, T0L 0C0 @-}-}-- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: tthwaite@banff.net (tj thwaites) Subject: BUFFYFIC: The Huntress -- poem (1/1) by tj thwaites Date: 28 Apr 1998 23:42:04 -0600 Title: The Huntress Author: tj thwaites E-mail: tthwaite@banff.net Classification: poem Spoilers: none Summary: Angel's POV, try reading this from both perspectives- Angel with a soul, and post S/I Angelus returned. Disclaimer: Angel belongs to the great God Joss (tj genuflects humbly). The Huntress The Huntress, So beautiful, A tigress stalking her prey; She waits So patiently. She sizes up the herd, And singles out Her victim. From across the bar I see her; Dressed in black, Dressed to kill. She moves, The hunt begins He stands no chance. She knows all the tricks. All too soon He's hers. And she gloats She feeds Her own lusts Without thought, Or care. And my own inner demons Applaud. Feedback welcome at tthwaite@banff.net. Flames will be used to heat my hot chocolate. ta, tj Noel:"Disappointment doesn't kill." Abby:"Right. Rejection kills. Disappointment only maims." -- "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" If you can keep your head when those about you are losing theirs,you obviously don't know what's going on. Your heart is where your duty lies, your head is just along to help with the driving. An optimist sees the glass half full A pessimist sees the glass half empty And a realist understands that soon he's going to have to wash the glass @-}-}-- tj thwaites @-}-}-- @-}-}-- tthwaite@banff.net @-}-}-- @-}-}-- Box 2890, Banff, AB, T0L 0C0 @-}-}-- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: KylenRevik Subject: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: Critique -- "Bitten" (1/1) by Ingrid Date: 29 Apr 1998 09:11:01 EDT In a message dated 98-04-28 23:18:32 EDT, ingrid29@juno.com writes: Okee-ay. I hope Ingrid won't mind, but I'm going to critique this one publically, just to give more of a feeling of what I meant when I said showing instead of telling and such. (And Ingrid, before you panic-- I *like* this one, it's definally an example of what someone *SHOULD* do when writing, and not what they shouldn't!) >*** >"Bitten," by Ingrid >*** > >Cordelia’s reflection stared back at her anxiously through the >mirror as she peeled the gauze from her cheek. The two red holes >were still there… like a vampire’s kiss. > >She shuddered. > >It had been horrible. She’d always harbored a special fear of >snakes in the recesses of her mind ever since the third-grade >science fair. Bobby’s project had tipped over, and there’d been >glass and snakes everywhere. That’s why she’d dumped him on >the spot. Even with the bite mark on her ankle, she’d managed >to march out of the gym looking dignified. True, she’d collapsed >in the hall after about 2 steps outside, but only Harmony had seen >that. When I first read this, I paused a moment at the "that's why she'd dumped him on the spot"-- after all, they were only in third grade! Then I took a second or two to think about it, and realized that given the way Cordelia seems to define herself by whose arm she's hanging off of, it makes absolutely perfect sense, plus it exposes a little bit more character than we, the readers, knew of before. The mention of Harmony (blonde friend, who she called a sheep, right?) evokes the thought of all those cliques of girls you knew in elementary school who somehow managed to carry their oh-so-shallow groups all the way through to high school, getting tighter and tighter and more nauseating with every step, so that's also a great way to establish more of her character/experiences that make her who she is. >The mark on her ankle was barely visible, and she always wore >socks now. God forbid bare feet came into fashion again. ::grin:: Perfectly Cordie thought, too. >Now she had two tremendous bloody marks on her face, and no >amount of makeup was going to help her out. She grimaced and >touched near one of the wounds. Her hand snapped back at the pain >she felt. Reluctantly, she looked back up at the mirror. She covered >the right side of her face with her hand and wondered whether masks >might suddenly become the trend of the moment. She was thinking >of something in the way of "The Phantom of the Opera." > >What the hell did she care, anyway, she thought, wincing as she >re-affixed the bandage. It wasn’t like her popularity was soaring >these days, anyway. She’d hardly spoken to any of her friends since >the love-spell disaster, and she’d been eating lunch with Buffy. This is also good-- starting to delve more into her feelings, her emotions, and how she's being impacted as far as her friendships with Buffy & co are concerned. The way "and she'd been eating lunch with Buffy" is tacked on there makes me wonder-- doesn't Buffy usually eat with Willow? I'd have to go back and check the tape from last night to make sure, but I think Buffy might have been sitting with or near Willow and Xander. Continuity's TRES important, coming from sQ fandom I've had that one beaten into my head soooo many times. Which is why I recommend that writers do their best to check their facts. And in this case, if Buffy *does* eat with Will and Xander, then maybe adjusting Cordelia's thought to something like "and she'd been eating lunch with Buffy and the dork-patrol" or something like that might work even more. Especially if you can figure on a way to make it clear that Cordelia's not so sure that she considers the "dork patrol" to be *quite* as dorky as she thought they were @ the beginning of the year. >She didn’t feel like the same person, even when she’d brushed her hair >and touched up her lipstick. No amount she could apply would conceal >the fact that her life was changing. Who she was was changing. A part Changing into? >of her screamed against it, disgusted with anything in her that would >condescend to the life she’d been leading for the past month-and-a-half. Again, this is a great Cordelia reaction-- self-disgust from the fact that suddenly she's hanging out with a bunch of total _losers_, heck, she's DATING one of them, and actually letting herself be _seen_ with the other, and so on, and so on... :) >But there was something that wasn’t protesting at all- something that >enjoyed hunting for the latest demon, joining in the juvenile banter in >the library. And that's the clincher-- she does seem to be having a lot more fun than she "should" be having, given how she's behaved toward Xander and Willow in the past, and the fact that being buds with Buffy's prolly not that wonderful for her image. >Literally coming out of the closet with Xander. ::falls on the floor laughing:: Loveit. Great turn of phrase. Maybe add a "Several times." to the end of it, tho it also stands fine on its own. >She patted the patch on her face and smiled suddenly. She looked >ridiculous. The crumpled up bandage was loosing its adhesive, barely >dangling on her face. Her overly red lipstick made her look like she’d >been eating too many ice-pops, and that smile was definitely a fool’s >smile. And the reader can just *see* her mentally casting off the feeling of "Oy, I'm being such a LOSER!" in favor of the "But what the hell, it's FUN!" feeling. >So let there be a scar. > >Let there be something to mark this point in her life. So even if she >turned around, she’d remember it when she looked in the mirror. > >She wiped off her lipstick and left the room. Perfect ending. Cordelia's breaking down her walls, letting herself get away from the constant "image image image" way that her life has been going for forever, now. >FIN. Short and sweet. Comments apprectiated. ::claps:: Comments given. Wonderful piece. :) >And for those of you >wondering if I’m ever gonna finish "Reunion," I’d like to assure you >that I’m trying. Really! I have SAT’s this weekend. Just give me time, >okay? Luck! And Ingrid, again, I hope you don't mind that I've made a sort of example of your work here. I really did enjoy it, and thought there were a lot of people on the list who could benefit from seeing a thourough critique of something not written expressly for the purpose of demonstrating an example. Rachel ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Leslie S." Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: Showing Instead of Telling, & Other Date: 29 Apr 1998 06:24:59 PDT Rachel made some great points with her post. I am, however, wondering if people wanting feedback are looking for public feedback, hoping for praises and smiles, or are they truly interested in more of a "critique" of their writing. Also if an actual critique is wanted, does the writer want his or her laundry aired in public?? A while ago I posted a suggestion about posting "common" writing problems to the list. (ex. "your" does not equal "you are", for that you want the contraction "you're") Of course I was not nearly as eloquent as Rachel, but the underlying idea is the same. General suggestions should be posted to the list. I want to be a better writer, and I would probably keep "telling" instead of "showing" had that point not been made. Maybe the next point to be made should be about punctuation. (But what do I know??? I think purple socks go with everything!!) Leslie ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: KylenRevik Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: Showing Instead of Telling, & Other Stuff Date: 29 Apr 1998 09:47:35 EDT In a message dated 98-04-29 09:30:22 EDT, leslie_s_@hotmail.com writes: >Rachel made some great points with her post. I am, however, wondering >if people wanting feedback are looking for public feedback, hoping for >praises and smiles, or are they truly interested in more of a "critique" >of their writing. Also if an actual critique is wanted, does the writer >want his or her laundry aired in public?? Which is one reason I decided to do Ingrid's piece-- because it really was _well_ written, and there were only one or two things I think I pointed out that could have been checked/improved on. Perhaps writers could post something in the headers of their work-- "Comments" being a sort of "I liked it" thing, and then "critique" being the more intensive sort of thing? I also think it's extremely important to offer *constructive* feedback. Okay, so maybe somebody did something and you think it could have been improved upon-- but *tell them how you think it could be better*. The same goes the other way-- if you like something, tell a writer _why_. I've had people look at my work and say they loved it, and not known what about it made it good-- was it a certain phrase, a piece of info, etc? The flip is also true-- I've had people completely rip into my work but not tell me how to fix it. I don't think you should put words into people's pens/mouths/keys, but give them a hint, like an "Oh, I think maybe Cordelia should go dancing with the hot guy and then feel guilty and go back to Xander, instead of her just flat-out saying she has a boyfriend and no thanks" sort of thing. >A while ago I posted a suggestion about posting "common" writing >problems to the list. (ex. "your" does not equal "you are", for that >you want the contraction "you're") Of course I was not nearly as >eloquent as Rachel, but the underlying idea is the same. Yeah- and the underlying idea is basically just PROOFREAD PROOFREAD PROOFREAD! Have your friends read your work! Tell them to scribble all over printed copies, then _take their suggestions to heart_. You don't necessarily need to follow every suggestion someone gives, but at the same time, it's also important to really think about every idea someone gives you. Maybe the story _would_ be stronger if Cordelia went and danced with the hot guy, then saw Xander looking sad and rejected by the side and politely excused herself. Maybe that would show off more of how she's not a completely shallow person. Get my drift? :) Or, if you want to keep her turning down the hot guy, then be prepared to defend it when it's called into question. Or have her waver for a moment then lean closer to Xander and make a point of saying she has a partner she's happy with, etc-- and then have Xander say that he's impressed she's sticking by him and have her shoot him a dirty look. >General suggestions should be posted to the list. I want to be a better >writer, and I would probably keep "telling" instead of "showing" had >that point not been made. You're welcome. :) I'm glad to know that people are willing to listen. :) >Maybe the next point to be made should be about punctuation. (But what >do I know??? I think purple socks go with everything!!) ::giggles:: Well, what point about punctuation? I haven't been paying close attn, so this one is your point to make. :) That'll be another quarter, Rachel :) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Blu2cool Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: Showing Instead of Telling, & Other Stuff Date: 29 Apr 1998 13:11:31 EDT Disclaimer: These are only one humble writer's opinions. I mean no personal harm to anybody, sorry if I offend you. OK. I SO have to jump onto the proverbial bandwagon here. I, personally, thought that the first three or four people who wrote on this subject are absolutely right in their opinions. However, I would like to add that I thought this would discourage new fanfic writers from posting to the list. And that would not be a good thing. So I am writing this letter to the writers as a little encouragement. For every critique I have ever gotten there were at least 4 letters that told me the opposite thing, which was: Your story is great, it rocked, keep writing. I feel that the saying "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" fits very well in this context. From my limited knowledge of the human psyche (hey, I've only been around this world for 16 years) I know that there are two major personality differences, the optimist, and the pessimist. I'm not saying that any of you are pessimists. My analogy is that there would be two ways of looking at fanfic, looking for everything that is good in it, and looking for everything wrong with it. My advice to aspiring writers: take criticisms with a grain of salt, but never stop believing in your own works. Blu Blu2cool@AOL.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: KylenRevik Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: Showing Instead of Telling, & Other Stuff Date: 29 Apr 1998 13:46:06 EDT In a message dated 98-04-29 13:14:34 EDT, Blu2cool@aol.com writes: >Disclaimer: These are only one humble writer's opinions. I mean no personal >harm to anybody, sorry if I offend you. Same applying to the reply. :) >OK. I SO have to jump onto the proverbial bandwagon here. I, personally, >thought that the first three or four people who wrote on this subject are >absolutely right in their opinions. However, I would like to add that I >thought this would discourage new fanfic writers from posting to the list. Whoa! Hold on there! In what way does people trying to be helpful discourage writers from posting? It shouldn't, because everyone who's posted on this subject agreeing so far, as well as several private mails, have either said or realized that in no way, shape, or form was anyone trying to discourage new writers from trying. All I've said is that I feel people should put a little more effort into making sure things are proofed, that things make sense, etc. My first topic was just that I've noticed that a lot of people who tell instead of showing, which is one of the first things you're taught *not* to do as a serious writer. Granted, there might only be a few people on this list who really want to be "serious writers". But writing is a skill you need to learn how to do, no matter what you're going to do in life. No way am I trying to discourage anyone from posting to the list. I'm just saying that before you post, make sure your story is the best you can possibly make it. That's all anyone can ask for. Then, when people write to say things they think could help you improve your writing, remember they are only trying to help. Nobody's going to force you to write things you don't want to write, and nobody is going to force anyone else to make changes to their fics. Suggestions are just that -- SUGGESTIONS. Take 'em to heart. >And >that would not be a good thing. So I am writing this letter to the writers as >a little encouragement. For every critique I have ever gotten there were at >least 4 letters that told me the opposite thing, which was: Your story is >great, it rocked, keep writing. Two points: 1) "Critique" is not a bad word, nor does it have negative connotations. A critique is simply comments and suggestions given about a piece of work. 2) Perhaps some people's goals as fanfic writers differ from other people's goals. My goals are to better my writing and bring stories to life. I have noticed that these are also the goals of quite a few other fic writers. A comment that is all praise and ego-boosting is well and good, but one that points out a little something that you could do as a writer to strengthen your story is infinately more helpful as far as knowing what you're doing right or wrong goes. IN NO WAY am I advocating flames or nasty, unconstructive criticisms, here. I have been the victim of those before, and it was a rather upsetting experience. What I _am_ advocating is just that people take the time to offer HONEST constructive criticism instead of giving fake ego-boosts that say there's nothing wrong with a fic when it could use some improvement. >I feel that the saying "Beauty is in the eyes >of the beholder" fits very well in this context. To a point, yes. Views of characters differ, and so will the way different authors portray them. But saying "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and using it as a way to shield oneself from any and all criticism is, well, pointless. A writer might as well put "Ego-boosting only" under the "feedback" slot at the heads of a lot of the fics posted here. As far as professional authors go, Anne Rice and I *think* Tom Clancy both have the clout not to have editors going through their work. I am a huge, huge Rice fan, but I've been told by people who edit as a living that it's incredibly obvious that she doesn't have anyone review her work before it's published, as the finished stuff is chock full of errors. It's important to remember that no piece of writing is ever truly finished, and there's always something you can do to strengthen it. > From my limited knowledge of >the human psyche (hey, I've only been around this world for 16 years) I know >that there are two major personality differences, the optimist, and the >pessimist. I'm not saying that any of you are pessimists. My analogy is that >there would be two ways of looking at fanfic, looking for everything that is >good in it, and looking for everything wrong with it. Not at all. I don't think there's a single person on this list whose work I've said *only* something negative about. Every time I write someone a critique, I do my best to find and tell them everything good about it I can, because that's how they'll know what it is they're doing right. But I'm not going to *not* mention something bad about something for the sole purpose of not bruising somebody's fragile ego. I've been writing since I was in seventh grade, and I know pretty well how hard it can be to take criticism sometimes. But so long as a writer remembers that people aren't going to go _making things up_ about a fic solely to hurt them, and every word written about a fic is only there because its writer thought the author of the fic would benefit from it, then I don't see why there should be any problem with authors getting honest critiques instead of back-pats only. >My advice to aspiring >writers: take criticisms with a grain of salt, but never stop believing in >your own works. So long as taking criticism with a grain of salt doesn't mean saying, "it's my sacred prose and only over my dead body will anybody make me change it", then yes, I agree with you. But it's also important to be objecting (yes, I know how hard _that_ is) and take a step back from the work you've just finished and say, "Now that I've finished this, and done it best I can, here's something somebody says might make it even better. Does it make sense and would it help the story for me to follow this criticism, and if not, then why is it better my way?" If you can't come up with reasons, ask a few other people what they think. Lord. I'm seriously running at the mouth (fingers?) today. Again, I hope nobody is taking offense at any of this, because none of it is meant offensively. Rachel ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: KylenRevik Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: Showing Instead of Telling, & Other Stuff Date: 29 Apr 1998 13:56:27 EDT In a message dated 98-04-29 13:52:03 EDT, KylenRevik@aol.com writes: >But it's also important to be objecting (yes, I know >how hard _that_ is) Ack! Typo! Objective. Sorry. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: ingrid29@juno.com (Ingrid E Stanton) Subject: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: Rachel's critique of "Bitten" Date: 29 Apr 1998 15:31:12 -0400 Rachel- No, I don't mind at all. When someone critiques one of my pieces, I must admit, I don't want to be *bashed,* exactly, but you're right. I don't want layers of undeserved sappy sweetness! If it's good, then I love to hear about it, but if it wasn't, one shouldn't have to lie. As for "Bitten," that was definitely a spur-of-the-moment story. I wrote and sent it out in all of fifteen minutes (However I understand that this does not excuse me). Anyway, things just came to me, and I found myself patting myself on the back for things I hadn't consciously intended while writing. I read the "3rd grade boyfriend" paragraph, and the subtleness of it all blew me away (being blown away by your own writing is fun!)! I think thoughts were flowing directly from the ep into the story. That's when I love to write, b/c it's the most true to the show. I love inspiration! Yes, I did mean "Buffy and the gang." I actually debated putting that in for all of the 2 seconds I spent editing, but alas, it sounded cumbersome at the time! Upon reflection, I would have changed it. The "changing" thing was left ambiguous intentionally (That grammar sucked. Pardon me-no sleep). Cordelia isn't sure how she's changing, or what she's changing into, and I wanted the reader to get into Cordelia's head while at the same time being sort of omniscient, and having some outside knowledge from the show (Damn, there I go again. Somebody has to shoot me and put me out of my misery!). Like dramatic irony, sans the irony. (There! Now I've made a complete fool of myself!) Pardon the sub text. After getting a migraine headache, falling asleep in physics earlier today, and being hit in the head with a tuning fork by a girl who *claims* to be my friend I'm not thinking particularly clearly. Goodnight all, and thanks, Rachel for the honest commentary. Just let me know ahead of time next time. I tend to hyper ventilate. -Ingrid _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: uzenet@videotron.ca Subject: BUFFYFIC: Broken Bonds (Part 6) Date: 29 Apr 1998 19:43:19 -0400 Title: Broken Bonds (Part 6) Author: Northlight e-mail: uzenet@videotron.ca Note: Thanks to those who helped. Summary: Giles dissapears and bad things start to happen. Disclaimer: They aren't mine. Willow shuddered delicately beneath the undeniably unfriendly gaze of Buffy's new Watcher. He stared at her with narrowed eyes as she seated herself at her computer terminal in the library. "This is not acceptable," Tyler stated flatly. Willow nearly sighed in relief as that unfriendly gaze shifted from her to the stunned Slayer. "What do you mean by that!" Buffy exclaimed, her face flushing in anger. To Willow, it looked like Buffy was about ready to stake the man. Watcher or not. Tyler nearly snarled a response. "The Watcher and the Slayer are sacred duties. They are not something to be shared with mere high school students! I cannot believe how irresponsible Rupert was--" "You shut up now!" Buffy hissed. "Willow has helped me immensely in my duties as the Slayer. What right do you have to judge her worth to me?! Besides, this is none of your concern. Giles will be back soon and your opinions won't matter here at all!" "That may be, my dear. But until Rupert does return, you will do what I say. And I say that this girl," he gestured dismissively towards the wide eyed Willow, "is not to be allowed any part in your duties." "Alright! I've had it with you!" Buffy's voice was rapidly rising, and her fists were clenched tightly. 'I've got to stop this!' Willow thought desperately as Buffy advanced towards Tyler threateningly. "Buffy, wait!" she gasped. Buffy's deliberate advance towards Tyler stopped at Willow's protest. Her gaze rested on her friend curiously, requesting an explanation. "It's alright, Buffy," Willow told her softly, avoiding Tyler's hard eyed stare. "You're right, Giles will be back. Until then, I won't interfere with Tyler's wishes." Tyler looked pleased at her words. Buffy wasn't about to give in so easily. Willow and Xander were an important part of her life. They understood her where few others could. She wasn't about to give them up for this man who had already taken Giles away from her. "Forget it, Willow. Tyler has no say in this. You're staying!" Tyler began to protest, but Buffy cut him off. "You can just shut up, Tyler. If you have a problem with Willow being here, I can leave with her. I can do without a Watcher for as long as it takes Giles to return." Her tone clearly stated that she would do exactly what she had threatened. The glowering man took in a deep breath. "Fine, have your way, Buffy." His voice was emotionless again. If the girls hadn't been there, they would have been hard pressed to believe that he had been enraged only moments before. "What?" Buffy gaped at him. 'He gave in? But he seemed so very determined...' He saw her confusion. "I'm sorry that I was so impatient, Buffy. It is just that being the Slayer is a dangerous position. I wouldn't want anyone who was not equipped to deal with the particular dangers associated with being a Slayer to be harmed." 'Why do I not believe that?' She didn't express any of her disbelief but rather nodded. 'If I hadn't distrusted him before, I definitely would have by now.' "Come on Willow. Let's get out of here." Willow rose from her seat, her legs unsteady. Purposely avoiding any glimpse of Tyler, she eagerly followed Buffy out of the library. 'Funny, the library's never seemed so very constricting before...' End Part 6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: tabbylink@patrol.i-way.co.uk Subject: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: About Critiques and some help wanted. Date: 30 Apr 1998 00:53:17 Certainly anything by Ingrid makes a good choice, this is the kind of solo writing I would so like to aspire to. :) I would also so like to read this story. My server is causing me so many problems I am seriously considering the digest version for revenge. I'd like to see it try to lose mail sent in *that* format . But you guys are very right about one thing in particular. The more readers to check out your errors the better. Leslie has already promised to check me over (I should start producing this month!), and if anyone else would be kind enough to I would welcome it. I've never done fanfic, in other words I've never tried to write about characters that are human before , so I'm nervous. Though I will say that having read what you've all said and never having written for the list before, knowing how much you all care about a writer's work has encouraged me. I feel I can trust that if anyone sends me comments it's going to be fair. Just to give you an idea of what I'm doing, I'm writing about a time before Oz and Willow got together. In fact, over here in England they haven't yet. :) This is cos I wanted my character and Willow to get close. Kinda with the idea of a sequel if this works out. My character is neither vampire nor human and is searching for the legendary Hellmouth to get back to where he belongs. If anyone has *any* idea where the Hellmouth is meant to be I would be very grateful for this information. This kinda almost fits in with the sort of writing I'm doing now, though it *isn't* a crossover. (I'm just not terribly original ). My character has been created to fit no where other than the Buffyverse. The setting is Earth and it is *not* controversial. (That's just in case anyone's heard of me ). This story also has a strong basis in mythology, although it also contains vampires and slayerage and the usual Buffy gang. Knowing this, anyone who wants to help will be given a very big welcome. :) Betzi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: KylenRevik Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: Rachel's critique of "Bitten" Date: 29 Apr 1998 21:20:17 EDT >No, I don't mind at all. When someone critiques one of my pieces, I must >admit, I don't want to be *bashed,* exactly, but you're right. I don't >want layers of undeserved sappy sweetness! If it's good, then I love to >hear about it, but if it wasn't, one shouldn't have to lie. ::nods:: Glad you didn't mind, and I hope it helped. I really don't think I've ever *bashed* somebody, because I've had that happen and it SUCKS (and I ain't talkin' _blood_ here) and made me seriously wary of posting *anything* to the list it happened on. >As for "Bitten," that was definitely a spur-of-the-moment story. I wrote >and sent it out in all of fifteen minutes (However I understand that this >does not excuse me). Actually, here's a point I'd like to make: It's not so much the amount of time spent on a story as it is the complete quality of a piece. "Bitten" was excellent work. Whether you spend a year editing or five minutes doesn't matter so much as that the final piece is the best you can make it. Sometimes, it's very possible that something comes out perfect on the first try-- but sometimes they don't. I know I've just spent the day getting out a rough copy of the last few chapters of a Buffy fic, and the thing is, I *know* they're not as good as they could be, and I know I have to work on them for a few days now-- but I've got the ideas down. Which is why it's a *rough* draft. Sometimes you have ten of 'em, and sometimes you might only have one draft total. It all depends on the story. >Anyway, things just came to me, and I found myself >patting myself on the back for things I hadn't consciously intended while >writing. ::grins:: Don't you _love_ when that happens? The characters just up and run off with the story and you're left wondering what exactly's been happening, but sitting there going, "_Damn_, that was good." >I read the "3rd grade boyfriend" paragraph, and the subtleness >of it all blew me away (being blown away by your own writing is fun!)! Definately. ::grin:: And it fit really well w/her character and all. >I >think thoughts were flowing directly from the ep into the story. That's >when I love to write, b/c it's the most true to the show. I love >inspiration! ::giggles:: Abso-freakin'-lutely. >Yes, I did mean "Buffy and the gang." I actually debated putting that in >for all of the 2 seconds I spent editing, but alas, it sounded cumbersome >at the time! Upon reflection, I would have changed it. ::nods:: >The "changing" thing was left ambiguous intentionally (That grammar >sucked. Pardon me-no sleep). Cordelia isn't sure how she's changing, or >what she's changing into, and I wanted the reader to get into Cordelia's >head while at the same time being sort of omniscient, and having some >outside knowledge from the show (Damn, there I go again. Somebody has to >shoot me and put me out of my misery!). Like dramatic irony, sans the >irony. (There! Now I've made a complete fool of myself!) LOL, not at all. :) That isn't what I meant, though, I don't think. The line in the story was something like "she didn't know what she was changing", and my suggestion was that you just say "what she was changing into", because originally the "into" isn't in the story and I know that sometimes I'll get writing and just _skip_ a word, then somebody finds it later and I'm like "ACK! Why isn't that IN there, I was THINKING that!" (God. Or I typo and say "His pale brushed the grass" instead of "His palm brushed the grass. ::shakes her head:: Gads.) >Pardon the sub text. After getting a migraine headache, falling asleep >in physics earlier today, and being hit in the head with a tuning fork by >a girl who *claims* to be my friend I'm not thinking particularly >clearly. Well, that makes... ::slowly tallies up her personalities:: Oh, a couple bazillion of us. >Goodnight all, and thanks, Rachel for the honest commentary. :) I was home sick today with tons of time on my hand-- thank YOU for providing such a great story to critique, and read, and rave about all day long. ::grin:: >Just let me know ahead of time next time. I tend to hyper ventilate. ::grin:: Aye-aye, mate. R ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Blu2cool Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: Showing Instead of Telling, & Other Stuff Date: 29 Apr 1998 23:39:47 EDT In a message dated 4/29/98, KylenRevik writes: > Yes, I was more-than-slightly confused ::moans:: I AM so sorry! I have a legit excuse, though...I was babysitting the brats from the Hellmouth when I wrote that, so I think it got kinda messed up (I mighta been thinking some violent thoughts at the moment ::gives innocent grin::). I honestly and totally agree with: > (Hint, hint, hint! Reader-people! Critiques are fun and we LIKE them!!!!!!!) And I didn't mean to be such a bitca. Hope ya'll can forget my little boo boo... Blu Blu2cool@AOL.com (check my new sig line, I just put it on...) "You're just a big bucket of funny, Will." -Xander, IOHEFY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Mark Jones Subject: BUFFYFIC: Everton are Rubbish!! Date: 30 Apr 1998 16:42:06 +0100 Everton are rubbish! Everton are rubbish! Everton are rubbish! Everton are rubbish! Everton are rubbish! Everton are rubbish! Everton are rubbish! Everton are rubbish! That's all. This is from Si, if your'e wondering. AL GO TO THE CLOSE TONIGHT!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: tabbylink@patrol.i-way.co.uk Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: Rachel's critique of "Bitten" Date: 01 May 1998 02:10:07 --- On Wed, 29 Apr 1998 21:20:17 EDT KylenRevik wrote: >Actually, here's a point I'd like to make: It's not so much the amount of time >spent on a story as it is the complete quality of a piece. "Bitten" was >excellent work. Whether you spend a year editing or five minutes doesn't >matter so much as that the final piece is the best you can make it. Sometimes, >it's very possible that something comes out perfect on the first try-- but >sometimes they don't. I know I've just spent the day getting out a rough copy >of the last few chapters of a Buffy fic, and the thing is, I *know* they're >not as good as they could be, and I know I have to work on them for a few days >now-- but I've got the ideas down. Which is why it's a *rough* draft. >Sometimes you have ten of 'em, and sometimes you might only have one draft >total. It all depends on the story. I know this so well! There've been times when I've worked for *days* on a story trying to get it right and, I admit, trying to be just a little impressive. But the ones that other people have said are the absolute best are the ones that I've put the least work into. Like the time I rushed off a Christmas story for an APA I was in. I barely had the time to check it, yet it's one of the stories they remember me for and not the ones I literally sweat blood trying to improve. I guess it all depends on how well it flows; if it does it's good, if it don't then sometimes it just ain't gonna. Though don't anyone let that put you off. There's been times when I've worked hard on a story and it's come good too. Betzi ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Hannah1971 Subject: BUFFYFIC: "The Inevitable" (1/1) by Hannah R.H. Date: 30 Apr 1998 21:19:12 EDT Summary: Willow realizes too late that she is Angel's next target. Disclaimer: I don't own 'em. Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy do. I will not profit from their use. Warning: Implied character death. Rating: PG Notes: This one's dedicated to all the writers out there who see a spark between Angel and Willow, expecially Jessica DuBois and Melinda Dawney. For those of you that read "The Inevitable" on BBETA a few days ago, the ending has changed--I realized I was copping out. If you read both versions, let me know what you think. And regarding critiques and/or criticism, I can be thin- skinned, but have at me! It can only help me get better ... ;-) *** The Inevitable by Hannah R.H. Copyright 1998 It was said with a long, shuddering breath that would have broken the heart of anyone who heard it. "Angel." The only one who heard it had no heart to break, however, and so Willow was left abandoned in the playground, watched only by a demon that was once a friend. The fear knifed through her with sharp pains, making her breaths labored. "Hey, Willow," Angel said with cold informality as he stepped out from behind the jungle gym. "Out kind of late, aren't you?" Her eyes jumped back down the path she had walked. Just far enough. No one to hear. No one to save her. The milk she carried in the plastic 7-Eleven bag slipped from her grasp and dropped to the hard ground. White flowed from the seams and drenched the trampled grass, spreading and soaking into the dirt. She saw Angel smile, and her fear turned warm and liquid, diffuse, through her limbs. "I guess it is ... late," she said quietly. The sun had gone down only half an hour before ... but half an hour was long enough. Angel looked rested, as if he had just risen. "How did you find me?" "I've been watching you, Willow ... just you," he answered. "Sundown to sunrise. Waiting for the moment that I knew would come." "Watching me," she echoed. Willow realized immediately what had killed her--the belief that the demon couldn't be everywhere at once. One trip to the corner store, right after sundown, would be anonymous enough to offer her protection. And now, for the price of a carton of milk, she had given herself to Death. A brief wave of nausea washed over her. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply, and when she opened them again, he was standing in front of her, inches away. She hadn't heard him move, but then, she never did. She looked up into his face, still impossibly handsome and deceptively kind. He smiled. "It's been so pleasurable, watching you. Seeing you laughing, dancing ... living. You were the one I wanted, right from the start, before that Calendar witch. You knew that, didn't you?" His eyes were bright and sharp. Willow didn't know how to answer him, but then he continued, "I just killed her because I had to, not because I really wanted it. You were the one I wanted first. You're the one I've been hungering for." She blinked, gauging her reaction to his words. She skipped past the self-recrimination for her stupidity, past the sadness for a wasted life, past the anger that Buffy wouldn't be there to save her. Willow felt the fear draining from her, like the milk soaking into the trampled ground, to be replaced by something numb and soulless. She nodded, then, without emotion. "Buffy thought it would be Xander," she responded, not an accusation but a statement of fact. Her flesh was suddenly cold, and she shivered. "But I knew." "Yes, it was inevitable." Angel nodded, approving, then shook his head at her earlier statement. "Xander!" he scoffed. "What a waste. I'll kill him like I killed the gypsy, without a thought, like stepping on something crawling and slithering on the ground. He thinks I hold real animosity toward him, but Willow, he's not even worthy of that." He looked at her then, and his dark eyes pierced through, seeking her soul. "You're different, though--more than worthy." Willow's soul, or whatever it was that made her different from Angel, had retreated within her, and she heard her voice from someplace outside, away. "Angel--why me?" She wanted to hear him say it. "Willow," he chatised mildly. "That question is beneath you. You know why." Her heart thudded slowly in her chest, and she swallowed. He knew. Inevitable. "I never wanted Buffy to know," she said dully, pressing down the feelings as they threatened to emerge. His voice was cold comfort. "She didn't. What was there to know? You loved Xander and that werewolf. I loved her." He spat it like a curse. "She never saw what I did--those glorious moments when your wasteful insecurity would drop away, when you'd realize those boys were beneath you, and you'd watch me. I may have been burdened with that soul, but the demon in me would feel you watching." He chuckled. "You should have been born a gypsy yourself. You could have burned me with those eyes. You're a flame, Willow-- you draw me to you." He reached out to stroke her hair, and she shuddered under his cold fingers. "Buffy will die soon, after I've killed everyone she cared about. But I will end this as I begin it, by drinking the blood of someone who loves me." She didn't know if he was taunting her, and she realized it didn't matter anymore. Only one thing did. "I don't want to be a vampire, Angel. Please." "Shhh ... You won't be," he assured her. "Just a little pain, my beautiful girl, and then it's over." His hand passed from her hair, brushing her cheek before it dropped to her shoulder. He rubbed his thumb over the pulse in her neck. "Come sit with me, over here, on this bench. Let me touch you." She let him lead her to the bench, near the swings that she and Xander had used as children, and he sat close to her, closer even than she would have let Xander or Oz sit. Angel's hands passed over her face, smoothed her hair, stroked the milky white skin inside her arms. She felt the void that the fear had left, and the calm inevitability of the end. "You burn, Willow." He leaned toward her, his face already changing, and she opened her arms to embrace Death. THE END (Yep, no Sarah McLachlan lyrics this time. But if you liked it anyway, check out my Web site at http://members.aol.com/hannah1971.) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: KylenRevik Subject: Re: BUFFYFIC: DISCUSS: Rachel's critique of "Bitten" Date: 30 Apr 1998 21:36:53 EDT In a message dated 98-04-30 21:18:48 EDT, tabbylink@patrol.i-way.co.uk writes: >I know this so well! There've been times when I've >worked for *days* on a story trying to get it right >and, I admit, trying to be just a little impressive. >But the ones that other people have said are the >absolute best are the ones that I've put the least work >into. Like the time I rushed off a Christmas story for >an APA I was in. I barely had the time to check it, yet >it's one of the stories they remember me for and not >the ones I literally sweat blood trying to improve. I >guess it all depends on how well it flows; if it does >it's good, if it don't then sometimes it just ain't >gonna. Though don't anyone let that put you off. >There's been times when I've worked hard on a story and >it's come good too. Oh, too true. I worked for a week getting out the first draft of a 40 page fic, which I finished while home sick yesterday, and I'm still working on it just because I *know* the last few chapters need serious HELP. BUT, in the space of three hours tonight after watching the ep where Spike and Dru get that organ dumped on top of them (title, please, anybody?), I wrote this lovely little vignette that I already know won't take hardly any editing at all once I spellcheck it and like, actually type it in. En-knee-weigh. R ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: sah Subject: BUFFYFIC: Quoting Date: 30 Apr 1998 21:44:06 -0400 I can't remember if we had it in the list rules when you DISCUSS stories, but I think it might be a good idea to limit quotes here as well. Four lines or less, please. If you've got questions, email me. Thanks, --sah sah * romana@mindspring.com * romana@aol.com NatPack * Jungle Patrol * Bishop * Bossy the Lost Dwarf * BTVS Listowner "I feel nauseous. What is this world coming to, that a perfectly nice, reasonably sane atheist who forwards me slash and thrives on Xena subtext, can suddenly start watching 7th Heaven and planning FIC, for Elvis' sake?" --jk