INTERLUDES:
THE THUNDER ROLLS
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AUTHOR's NOTE:
Takes place immediately after Buffy and Angel kiss at the ice rink.Kendra has disappeared again because I cannot speak for her motives.
The title was taken from the Garth Brooks' album "No Fences" and the quot
e is taken from "Shamelss" by Garth Brooks off of the "Ropin the Wind" album.
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"And I'm changing, swore I'd never compromise
Oh but you convinced me otherwise
I'll do anything you please
"You see in all my life I've never found
What I couldn't resist, what I couldn't turn down
I could walk away from anyone I ever knew
But I can't walk away from you"
* * * *
He separated from her slowly, not wanting to be the one to ruin the moment but knowing that she needed air. The look on her face told him that she'd be willing to skip breathing if it meant she could stay one with him. That brought a smile to his face and then a laugh.
"What?" Buffy asked, curious.
"Nothing," he replied, still grinning like a fool. She watched as his vam piric features melted away. He reached out and gently stroked her cheek. Sombering slightly he murmured,"I'm sorry this didn't turn out to be the evening you'd hoped it'd be."
"Who said it hasn't?" she replied, softly, moving towards him again. She pressed her lips to his again and for a moment his words locked up in his ead as his body responded. Then he pushed gently away from her.
"We've got problems, Buffy."
She sighed dramatically, "Don't we always." She made a small circle in the ce with her skate and then looked up at him,"It is not to worry, Angel.. Really, I'll deal with it."
He looked at her for a long moment, debating whether or not to tell her the whole story about the assasins that were after her. He knew that it would scare her at the very least but what else? Buffy tended to react badly to tales of doom.
"Yeah," he said, nodding. "Just the same, I'd like it if you'd stay with me tonight."
Her eyebrow leaped into her hairline. "You want me to stay at your place? Cripes, Angel..you've never even told me where it is and now all the sudden you're saying let's spend the night together."
"I'll take the floor if it makes you feel better," Angel replied shortly. This was really not a discussion he wanted to have with her. Didn't she understand that he only did the things he did to protect her?
Before he could get too far into his thoughts, he felt her hand slide across his jaw-bone," I didn't say that at all..I just wanna know why you're so concerned."
"Just..just trust me on this one, okay? It's really best that you don't stay alone for awhile. And besides, it's not like I mind the company."
She grinned,"Well, who am I to refuse? I just need to stop by my place real quick so I can pick up some clothes for tommorow and I'm good to go. "
"It's a plan," Angel replied, gazing down at her with a million emotions playing on his face.
She grinned back at him and then grabbing his arms, she lifted herself upon the toes of her skates and kissed him again. Breaking away reluctantly after a moment she said, "But you know, we should really get outta here...that dead guy is giving me the wig."
***
He opened the door to his apartment and ushered her in. She looked around briefly but then turned her attention back to him. "Okay, sit down."
"What?" he asked, confused.
"Your cut. I'm gonna clean it." Buffy replied. "Where's your first aide kit?"
"In the bathroom..Buffy, I'm fine..it'll heal within twelve hours."
"If it's cleaned out..don't bullshit me, Angel..I already asked Giles about all this vampire first aide stuff." Buffy shot back as she headed towards the bathroom. As she walked, he noticed something that concerned him.
"Buffy, you're limping."
"I'm fine," she called out from the bathroom. He heard her rustling through the drawer and muttering under her breath. A moment later she reappeared, still limping but with a small white box in her hand.
"No, I don't think you are. Did you do this when you fell?" Angel asked, standing up and approaching her. Placing his hand on her back, he led her over to the bed. When he pushed her down onto it, she got a strange, almost amused look on her face.
"So, this is why you wanted me to spend the night..so we could play doctor on each other."
"Uh huh," he muttered, kneeling down and tracing a finger down her leg. She shivered at his touch and then tried to cover it up by smiling but the look on his face proved that he hadn't missed it. Not only that but she had feeling that he knew exactly what he was doing to her.
He moved his hand down to the cuff of her pants and tried to roll it up but quickly found that it was too form-fitting. Shaking his head he said, "I need to check your leg."
"I'm fine. I'm supposed to be cleaning your cut."
"Buffy.."
"I'll show you mine if you show me yours," she quipped, eyes shining brightly. Even though in the back of her mind, she was still very concerned about the man who'd tried to kill her, she was set and determined not to let him ruin her night with Angel.
He stared at her for a long moment and then muttered,"Hang on." He disappeared back into the front room and then reappeared moments later holding a gray pair of sweat-shorts and a matching gray tee-shirt. "Slip into these. If you're cold, I'll turn the heater on."
She nodded and then looked up at him. "Here?"
Flushing slightly he muttered,"In the bathroom."
***
Buffy stepped out of the bathroom and limped over to the bed where Angel was laying. When he saw her approach, he sat up. Taking her hand, he pulled her down next to him and then slid to the floor.
"Ouch," he murmured, making a face. "You really did a number on yourself." He traced the tip of his finger very lightly over a heavily bruised area on her left shin. It was a mess of colors and it looked deeply painful.No wonder she was limping.
"Oh yeah, it was the highlight of my evening," she said dryly. She slid down next to him and pressed a rag to his forehead. "My turn."
Before she could go any farther in her medical treatment, he leaned across and kissed her. She moaned and allowed the rag to drop from her hand as she wrapped her other hand around his neck.
"No fair," Buffy murmured, between kisses.
Grinning he replied, "I know. You hungry?"
"Yes, but let's talk about your timing." Buffy replied in exasperation as he pulled away from her and stood up.
"Later," he said. "I'm gonna go hunt you up some food. You relax, okay?"<
br>
"I'll go with.."
"No, I want you to stay off that leg. Trust me, Buffy, you're gonna need to be in top physical shape. Just relax..I'll be right back."
"But.."
"Relax." He leaned over and kissed again, pressing her back against the pillow. After a long moment he broke away. She stared up at him with a defeated look and sighed.
"Fine but I still get to play doctor when you get back." Buffy told him.
"We'll see," he replied before turning and sweeping out the door of his apartment.
"I hate it when he does that," she moaned as she stood up. Almost immediately her leg protested. "Alright, alright..I get the point." Laying back down, she rested her head against the pillow.
***
Angel crossed the floor of his apartment without making a noise. Enteringthe small part he called his bedroom, he opened his mouth to announce his return but stopped when he saw her.
She was curled up on the bed, arm over her eyes, deep in sleep. He smiled and put the brown bag he was holding down on the floor. Moving to her side, he rested a hand on her cheek.
He watched her for a few moments and then he pulled a blanket up over her,"Sleep well, little Slayer." He kissed her softly on the cheek and then turned to leave her to rest.
"Angel?" she murmured sleepily.
"Yeah, I'm here..it's okay." He said, softly, turning back towards her and stroking her hair.
"Stay with me."
"Buffy.."
"Please..I just...I don't wanna be alone..please?" she looked up at him with such wide, innocent, open eyes that he found it impossible to refuse her request.
"Alright," Angel replied. Buffy smiled her thanks and then moved forward on the bed so that he could climb in back. He moved behind her and then pulled her to his chest and held her tightly in his arms. Within minutes, her breathing slowed as she fell back into REM sleep.
***
Buffy woke with a soft moan and tried to turn. Almost immediately she was aware of the presense of another. Dread gripped her for the briefest of moments until her memory kicked in and she remembered where she was. Looking down at her waist, she saw his arms wrapped around her.
Very gently, she moved them aside and stumbled out of bed. A look at a clock on the opposite wall told her it was time to get a move on if she didn't want to be late for school.
Sighing, she dragged herself into the shower. Let the day begin.
***
She watched him sleep for a moment before crossing the room to kiss his cheek and murmur a soft goodbye. He opened his eyes briefly, tiredly and watched her.
"Hey," she said, "I gotta get going, okay?"
"Yeah.."
"Thanks for letting me stay here."
"Anytime..hey Buffy, be careful, okay?"
"I will." She kissed him and then turned exited the room. She threw one last glance at him and then reached over to the table closest to the door and picked up the ring she'd taken from the dead guy. It was time to find out what the hell was going on. She couldn't shake the feeling that the night in Angels' arms had just been the calm before the storm.
-FIN
FEEDBACK PLEASE
