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Maybe Someday. Chapter 4
Sorry this has taken so long... not sure why, except that it needed some work. Many, many thanks and chocolate cookies for ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
lillianmorgan for her wonderful beta work!
Previous chapters can be found here if anybody wants to catch up.
Feedback is my ambrosia! Please feed me! :)
Chapter 4
There was a brief pause, as they tried to work out what to do now.
“Erm, we could go to my apartment?” Buffy said. “Dawn’s away on a study trip, so we can talk in peace.” The vampires nodded, but the blue demon - had they really said hellgod? - cocked its head and studied her:
“This is the Slayer - the one who fought Glorificus.”
Spike, realising that he’d omitted the introductions, hastily replied. “Yeah, this is Buffy. Buffy - meet Illyria. It’s a really long story, but she’s an Elder God and she travels with us. A bit like Glory - if she’d been sane!”
Illyria’s head snapped round. “Glorificus was but a pale shadow compared to me. She once came to pay me homage and brought many gifts and sacrifices. But she was conceited and I sent her home with no blessings. To hear of her death pleased me.”
Spike sighed audibly. “Fine. So you were the most brilliant sun that ever lit up the sky - can we go now?”
Illyria ignored him and focussed on Buffy again. “You fought bravely and skilfully, and then gave up your life for your blood-kin. If you had been a warrior in my armies you would have won great honour.”
Buffy tried to work out what a correct response would be and in the end just came up with “Thank you!” which wasn’t the height of eloquence, but it appeared to be enough.
“Show us to your abode.” Illyria commanded and they set off. As they walked, Angel gave a quick run-through of their situation. He no longer worked for W&H, there had been a big battle and all the others had been killed...
“Everyone?” Buffy asked, suddenly feeling unwell after finally having Giles’ rumours confirmed.
“Everyone!” he answered grimly. “My whole team.”
He reconsidered, then amended. “Actually Lorne might have managed to get away - if he did, he’s probably sitting in a bar somewhere cursing my name.”
There was sadness in his voice, and Buffy wondered who Lorne was and tried to remember who Angel had been working with. She knew that Cordelia had died earlier that year, so of all the people that she had known, that left only Wesley. Poor Wesley, he had been so spectacularly unsuited to his job. She wondered what he had been like, working with Angel. She thought about asking, but Angel seemed closed off and lost in his thoughts. Looking at Spike she saw him smiling sadly: “I’ll tell you about them all one day - they were good people.”
Instinctively she sought out his hand and he took it, a look of awe in his eyes. “Hey - look! No flames this time!” he said, and she smiled as silence fell.
She couldn’t work them out. Angel was very quiet - too quiet. There was something going on, more than just the usual brooding. And Spike... Spike she really needed to talk to, but she wanted to be alone with him before she started with the third degree - too many big events in her life had taken place with an audience. Also, he wasn’t behaving like Spike from old - he seemed almost shy, rather than flaunting her in front of Angel, as she had half-expected. And she began to wonder exactly how much he had changed. He seemed more like he had after he found out that The First had made him kill again - quiet and introspective. But... on the other hand he appeared more self assured than he had been since before the chip. Like the quietness was because he needn't prove anything anymore.
Outside her flat, Angel hesitated. “I need a word with Spike - alone!” Reluctantly she let go of Spike’s hand - she had learned that if you didn’t hold onto things tightly they disappeared, but it did seem unlikely that Spike would vanish from outside her flat door. Especially considering her sophisticated spy-system.
Illyria had already entered, and seemed fascinated by Buffy’s weapons that lay scattered on the floor - she had been in the middle of cleaning them when The Immortal had come to ask her out.
Closing the door, she very quietly took the glass she kept in the cupboard next to the door and carefully positioned it so she could hear what they were saying. This was how she kept on top of which boys Dawn dated and how their dates went, but it had come in handy at other occasions too. And now...
“.... never tell me that she loved you?” she heard Angel say, the anger obvious even through the thick wood.
“Because it’s none of your bloody business!” Spike shot back. “There’s something called privacy, and what Buffy and I had is personal, Mister I’m-so-brilliant-she-could-never-love-anyone-else!”
There was a long pause, and Buffy began to wish that the door had a spy hole, since she could not guess what was happening. Then Angel spoke again, his voice quiet and with out any of the previous anger: “If you’re talking about the big fight, then I’m sorry about what I said. But that was a good while ago now - I thought we’d moved past that. And you beat me anyway - just as you’ve obviously beaten me to Buffy’s heart.”
More silence. Buffy held her breath. Was Angel giving them his blessing? He had said something about a girlfriend... then Spike finally replied, his voice nearly breaking: “I don’t know if I can do it Angel - I should’ve stayed away like we planned originally... I was the one person who always came back, I can’t leave her again - I can’t break her heart now!”
Angel spoke again, voice earnest: “Spike - you don’t have a choice. I’m sorry, I should have told you this earlier-” but Buffy had heard enough and tore the door open: “Why are you talking about leaving?”
Her eyes angry and betrayed she glared at them and they ducked their heads. Angel looked up first. “This was supposed to be a private conversation.”
Buffy nearly exploded: “Private? So you could decide what to do with me? Again? This is my life - I get a say! And how dare you tell Spike what he should do!”
Spike looked up then and the look in his eyes made her falter. “My life too, pet. And just because I love you more than anything in the world doesn’t mean that I can just stay, how ever much I wish it. There are... factors we have not told you about.”
“Then tell me,” she said quietly. They nodded and walked in.
As they stepped past her and over the threshold, she frowned. “Hey - I didn’t invite you in!”
Angel, having seated himself on the sofa, looked up: “Oh, Andrew invited us in last time we were here!”
“Last time??”
“Oh, erm, yeah...”
“And we? You were both here? And didn’t tell me? When was this?”
Both vampires now looked embarrassed. Angel replied again, obviously trying to regain some sort of composure: “We were here on business... retrieving a demon-head! In May I think it was. And we just... you know... wanted to check up on you, what with you seeing The Immortal and all that.”
Buffy took a deep breath and asked slowly, trying her very best not to yell again: “How... how did you know I was seeing The Immortal?”
Spike held up his hands to demonstrate his innocence, and Angel sighed deeply. “I had you tailed. Look I’m not proud of it, but I just wanted to make sure you were ok.”
Buffy was now utterly lost for words. “That was you? The little weasly guy that I beat up for stalking me, worked for you?”
A silent nod.
She shook her head in disbelief: “I’ve had enough of this. I need to talk to Spike. Alone! There’s a show about martial arts on now, if you’re interested.” She went to the large pile of videos next to the TV and found a blank one. “If you could record it for me, that would be super nice!”
Turning on the TV with the remote she grabbed Spike and dragged him toward the bedroom, as she tossed the video at Angel who automatically caught it. He looked rather pissed off, but she didn’t care. Damn him, and his well-meaning ways of doing ‘what was best for her’. Spike at least she knew how to deal with.
Chapter 5
lillianmorgan for her wonderful beta work!Previous chapters can be found here if anybody wants to catch up.
Feedback is my ambrosia! Please feed me! :)
Chapter 4
There was a brief pause, as they tried to work out what to do now.
“Erm, we could go to my apartment?” Buffy said. “Dawn’s away on a study trip, so we can talk in peace.” The vampires nodded, but the blue demon - had they really said hellgod? - cocked its head and studied her:
“This is the Slayer - the one who fought Glorificus.”
Spike, realising that he’d omitted the introductions, hastily replied. “Yeah, this is Buffy. Buffy - meet Illyria. It’s a really long story, but she’s an Elder God and she travels with us. A bit like Glory - if she’d been sane!”
Illyria’s head snapped round. “Glorificus was but a pale shadow compared to me. She once came to pay me homage and brought many gifts and sacrifices. But she was conceited and I sent her home with no blessings. To hear of her death pleased me.”
Spike sighed audibly. “Fine. So you were the most brilliant sun that ever lit up the sky - can we go now?”
Illyria ignored him and focussed on Buffy again. “You fought bravely and skilfully, and then gave up your life for your blood-kin. If you had been a warrior in my armies you would have won great honour.”
Buffy tried to work out what a correct response would be and in the end just came up with “Thank you!” which wasn’t the height of eloquence, but it appeared to be enough.
“Show us to your abode.” Illyria commanded and they set off. As they walked, Angel gave a quick run-through of their situation. He no longer worked for W&H, there had been a big battle and all the others had been killed...
“Everyone?” Buffy asked, suddenly feeling unwell after finally having Giles’ rumours confirmed.
“Everyone!” he answered grimly. “My whole team.”
He reconsidered, then amended. “Actually Lorne might have managed to get away - if he did, he’s probably sitting in a bar somewhere cursing my name.”
There was sadness in his voice, and Buffy wondered who Lorne was and tried to remember who Angel had been working with. She knew that Cordelia had died earlier that year, so of all the people that she had known, that left only Wesley. Poor Wesley, he had been so spectacularly unsuited to his job. She wondered what he had been like, working with Angel. She thought about asking, but Angel seemed closed off and lost in his thoughts. Looking at Spike she saw him smiling sadly: “I’ll tell you about them all one day - they were good people.”
Instinctively she sought out his hand and he took it, a look of awe in his eyes. “Hey - look! No flames this time!” he said, and she smiled as silence fell.
She couldn’t work them out. Angel was very quiet - too quiet. There was something going on, more than just the usual brooding. And Spike... Spike she really needed to talk to, but she wanted to be alone with him before she started with the third degree - too many big events in her life had taken place with an audience. Also, he wasn’t behaving like Spike from old - he seemed almost shy, rather than flaunting her in front of Angel, as she had half-expected. And she began to wonder exactly how much he had changed. He seemed more like he had after he found out that The First had made him kill again - quiet and introspective. But... on the other hand he appeared more self assured than he had been since before the chip. Like the quietness was because he needn't prove anything anymore.
Outside her flat, Angel hesitated. “I need a word with Spike - alone!” Reluctantly she let go of Spike’s hand - she had learned that if you didn’t hold onto things tightly they disappeared, but it did seem unlikely that Spike would vanish from outside her flat door. Especially considering her sophisticated spy-system.
Illyria had already entered, and seemed fascinated by Buffy’s weapons that lay scattered on the floor - she had been in the middle of cleaning them when The Immortal had come to ask her out.
Closing the door, she very quietly took the glass she kept in the cupboard next to the door and carefully positioned it so she could hear what they were saying. This was how she kept on top of which boys Dawn dated and how their dates went, but it had come in handy at other occasions too. And now...
“.... never tell me that she loved you?” she heard Angel say, the anger obvious even through the thick wood.
“Because it’s none of your bloody business!” Spike shot back. “There’s something called privacy, and what Buffy and I had is personal, Mister I’m-so-brilliant-she-could-never-love-anyone-else!”
There was a long pause, and Buffy began to wish that the door had a spy hole, since she could not guess what was happening. Then Angel spoke again, his voice quiet and with out any of the previous anger: “If you’re talking about the big fight, then I’m sorry about what I said. But that was a good while ago now - I thought we’d moved past that. And you beat me anyway - just as you’ve obviously beaten me to Buffy’s heart.”
More silence. Buffy held her breath. Was Angel giving them his blessing? He had said something about a girlfriend... then Spike finally replied, his voice nearly breaking: “I don’t know if I can do it Angel - I should’ve stayed away like we planned originally... I was the one person who always came back, I can’t leave her again - I can’t break her heart now!”
Angel spoke again, voice earnest: “Spike - you don’t have a choice. I’m sorry, I should have told you this earlier-” but Buffy had heard enough and tore the door open: “Why are you talking about leaving?”
Her eyes angry and betrayed she glared at them and they ducked their heads. Angel looked up first. “This was supposed to be a private conversation.”
Buffy nearly exploded: “Private? So you could decide what to do with me? Again? This is my life - I get a say! And how dare you tell Spike what he should do!”
Spike looked up then and the look in his eyes made her falter. “My life too, pet. And just because I love you more than anything in the world doesn’t mean that I can just stay, how ever much I wish it. There are... factors we have not told you about.”
“Then tell me,” she said quietly. They nodded and walked in.
As they stepped past her and over the threshold, she frowned. “Hey - I didn’t invite you in!”
Angel, having seated himself on the sofa, looked up: “Oh, Andrew invited us in last time we were here!”
“Last time??”
“Oh, erm, yeah...”
“And we? You were both here? And didn’t tell me? When was this?”
Both vampires now looked embarrassed. Angel replied again, obviously trying to regain some sort of composure: “We were here on business... retrieving a demon-head! In May I think it was. And we just... you know... wanted to check up on you, what with you seeing The Immortal and all that.”
Buffy took a deep breath and asked slowly, trying her very best not to yell again: “How... how did you know I was seeing The Immortal?”
Spike held up his hands to demonstrate his innocence, and Angel sighed deeply. “I had you tailed. Look I’m not proud of it, but I just wanted to make sure you were ok.”
Buffy was now utterly lost for words. “That was you? The little weasly guy that I beat up for stalking me, worked for you?”
A silent nod.
She shook her head in disbelief: “I’ve had enough of this. I need to talk to Spike. Alone! There’s a show about martial arts on now, if you’re interested.” She went to the large pile of videos next to the TV and found a blank one. “If you could record it for me, that would be super nice!”
Turning on the TV with the remote she grabbed Spike and dragged him toward the bedroom, as she tossed the video at Angel who automatically caught it. He looked rather pissed off, but she didn’t care. Damn him, and his well-meaning ways of doing ‘what was best for her’. Spike at least she knew how to deal with.
Chapter 5
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Just a little nag, though. Buffy probably wouldn't say 'programme', she'd say 'show'. :)
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And the next part... heh! Well, it's all written (I've nearly finished chapter 8 actually) but it needs so much work!!! I guess I should try not to obsess too much over it, but I don't know how. *sigh*
And thanks for the catch - it's all fixed now! :)
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Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!
I love your Illyria. And you know, I'm really wondering if that last sentence will come back and slap Buffy about the face or not....
Great job!
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Your Illyria makes me smile. I think you've got her voice nailed down pretty well. :)
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Illyria is so much fun to write... and I think I might actually have some sort of plot worked out now! Which helps a lot!
Re. last sentence... I don't know. Yes and no. ::looks at next chapter and cries::
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Well, er, ::hugs:: & ::sends positive writing thoughts:: Got some spare for Spike or Buffy if they need them too *g*
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Illyria makes me smile too - she'd probably smite us both if she knew! And I'm so happy that she rings true... actually I'm more worried about my Buffy-voice. Might have to watch some of my dvds just to make sure I get her right... ;)
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It just needs SO MUCH work! ::grumble::
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I read chapter 3 as a sort of stand alone the day it was posted - I have a habit of waiting until there are a few chapters up in a WIP, then reading one to see what it's like and doing the whole think so far in one go if I like the odd chapter! I know it's weird but it's why I often start to feedback around this sort of point! (If nothing else was available I used to read any Mills and Boon around when on night duty by starting at the last chapter, then working my way forward to see how they'd got themselves into such a stupid situation in the first place - my reading habits drive my husband crazy!!)
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Lovely interaction between Spike and Buffy , and I can't help but feel already full of sadness , fearing what's to come.
But he's got always the strongest of feelings for her , so my heart is not entirely broken. ;)
Your Illyria's voice was true to her , and the lines about Glory made me smile.
Great writing.
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And I'm with speakr - you have terrible reading habits! Although it's definitely justified when it comes to Mills and Boon! Anyway, glad that you gave my story a try. :)
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And I'm glad you enjoyed Illyria's talk about Glory. I thought it possible that they might have met. ;)
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Poor Buffy, though. I hope Spike won't have to leave her again.
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Poor Buffy indeed... hm, can't say anything that won't be spoilerish. But I'm glad you're enjoying my little story.
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Nice to see everyone at least attempting to be mature
Thanks. I think they've all done a fair bit of growing up in the past year, so hopefully there won't be anything too childish going on!
Illyria is great! I bow down before her superior everything. :)
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And re. the show, it's more a case of Buffy being clever - she knows how good vampire hearing is, and doesn't want Angel to 'accidentally' overhear her and Spike's conversation. ;)
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Poor Buffy - I've been writing my own post-NFA piece lately, and the one thing I've got really hung up on is trying to think what it must be like to be reunited with old friends who've undergone these huge, life-changing experiences you had no part in. You get that very nicely.
And hee! I enjoyed the ending, muchly. :) This especially: Spike at least she knew how to deal with. I think you just summed up why that relationship worked so beautifully.
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Most definitely! I *adore* Illyria. :)
Looking forward to reading your story very, very much! I just love your writing and I can't wait to see what you're doing!
what it must be like to be reunited with old friends who've undergone these huge, life-changing experiences you had no part in. You get that very nicely.
Thank you! Actually I deal with all that in the next two chapters... they're proving very awkward! *sigh*
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what Buffy and I had is personal, Mister I’m-so-brilliant-she-could-never-love-anyone-else
This made me smile.
On to chapter 5! I'm sorry for all of the late feedbacks. I kept meaning to read this story, but couldn't find the time. :)
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And I just adore Spike and Angel together... there will be more of their interaction later!
I'm sorry for all of the late feedbacks. I kept meaning to read this story, but couldn't find the time. :)
I'm surprised you have time to read at all! Especially lately what with moving and operations etc. And there is nothing better than surprise feedback - you really made my weekend! :)
(Also I have SO much fic that I want to read 'someday' when I have better time...)
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This is good! And safe as it turns out. Darn! Why did I leave it so long. Onwards...
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Illyria is fun and not that hard as long as she's in small doses. And you wrote Ilona, which I'd never attempt!
This is good!
Squee! ::dances::
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“Erm, we could go to my flat?” Buffy said.
She'd say 'apartment' rather than 'flat'.
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And you're re-reading my fic? I am beyond flattered! (*goes off to read 'Shell Shocked'*)
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Thanks! I'm loving all the feedback - you're like a writer's ultimate dream! :)
What can I say, baby? I love yours better. :)
Heeeee! But then I think just about any scene could be made better when swapping Spike for Riley! (Sorry Riley, you're nice and all, but...)
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This is the best Angel nickname ever: Mister I’m-so-brilliant-she-could-never-love-anyone-else and Buffy dismissing Angel by making him tape a television show was hilarious, too.
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CCTV and hidden microphones are for losers!
Just because Spike and Angel have The Senior Partners calling for their heads, why does Spike have to ditch Buffy? She'd be up for a smack down.
Nothing's ever simple, but going behind people's back isn't nice...
This is the best Angel nickname ever: Mister I’m-so-brilliant-she-could-never-love-anyone-else
::grins proudly::
and Buffy dismissing Angel by making him tape a television show was hilarious, too.
One should beware of incurring Buffy's wrath...