Spoilers: Only one for DC, but anyone who would be enough of a fan to be reading this story already knows it. It picks up where last season left off. For Buffy there is a spoiler about the last part of the season 2 finale (which is great, certainly the end is, and I suggest seeing it if you haven't) and some references to previews in the commercials for next season. I'm sure it's nothing correct, since I doubt they will be turning next season into a crossover, but if you look you will find them.
Author's note: I wrote through part 4 before I saw the season premiere of Buffy for season 3. Also, there is a MIDI link for the song a little later on and it only takes a few seconds to load. It's not a great arrangement, but not bad either.
Far From Home
The winter here is cold
And bitter.
It chills us to the bone.
Haven't seen the sun for weeks,
Too long, too far from home.
~Sarah McLachlan - Full of Grace
Angel wheezed as he fell to the floor. He took a deep breath and slowly looked up. "Buffy?" He shook his head in a failed attempt to clear it. "What's going on?" Buffy just stood poised to strike with her sword in case this was a trick. Angel stood up. "Where are we? I -- I don't remember." He stopped looking around and stared straight at Buffy. Buffy slowly walked forward, starting to lower the sword. She carefully looked him over.
"Angel?" she said softly, her voice cracking at the realization.
"You're hurt," Angel said concerned, lightly touching her left arm near where he had slashed it open just a couple of minutes before. Buffy looked down dumbly at her arm and then quickly brought her eyes back to him.
"Oh, Buffy..." Buffy walked into Angel's open arms, letting out an exasperrated gasp. She was still clutching the sword. Angel held her with pure pleasure. "I feel like I haven't seen you in months." Buffy tightly closed her eyes, trying to hold back tears as she revelled being his arms again. "Everything's so muddled. I... oh."
"Angel," Buffy silently mouthed.
"Oh, Buffy," Angel said, kissing her shoulder. He, too, was fighting back tears. Buffy slowly opened her eyes and looked over Angel's shoulder. Her eyes widened as she watched Acathala awaken. She started to pull back, almost in a trance, her gaze never wavering from Acathala. She looked back to Angel. "What's happening?" he asked, confused. Buffy put her finger to his lips.
"Shh. Don't worry about it." She let her fingers slide down his chin and then lifted her hand to caress his face. She moved her lips to his and tenderly hissed him. Within seconds the kiss became as passionate as it was the night that she had lost him. She tried to ignore the horrific sight behind her of the fiery portal becoming bigger and bigger. She only let the kiss last a short time before she moved her face away. She concentrated on Angel and looked into his eyes.
"I love you," she whispered, her mouth almost shaped in a smile.
"I love you," he whispered right back.
"Close your eyes," Buffy said seriously, slightly shaking her head in encouragement. Angel did as she asked. A look of sadness crossed Buffy's face as her eyebrows narrowed and she kissed him softly. She sniffed before drawing the sword back and plunging it into Angel's chest.
Listen to "Full of Grace" courtesy of this Sarah Mclachlan site.
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"You kissed me," Joey said breathlessly. Dawson found himself unable to speak and nodded in reply. Joey let out an airy laugh. "You kissed me," she repeated. "You kissed me..." she said again, trailing off.
"I have an answer to your question," Dawson said, finding his voice.
"What?" Joey didn't remember anything before he kissed her five minutes ago.
"A reason," Dawson explained, "for you to stay. I need you, Jo."
Joey kissed him again.
"Is that a good-bye kiss or an I'm staying kiss?" Dawson smiled.
"What do you think? You expect me to be able to leave now?" Joey glared at him. She couldn't keep a straight face and broke out into a grin. She just stood there, feeling safe in his arms.
"Joey?" Dawson said finally. "Jo, it's getting late. Do you... um... want to sleep over?"
"Yeah," Joey said, climbing into the bed. Dawson did the same. She rolled into his arms."Yeah."
"Good night, Jo," Dawson said, kissing her forehead. She just answered by cuddling deeper into his arms and giving him a gentle squeeze.
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"Where have you been?" Bessie asked Joey good-naturedly.
"Dawson's," Joey said very nervously, starting to blush. Bessie watched her reaction with a strange look.
"Okay... are you sure?"
"Ask his parents if you want. What, you don't believe me?"
Bessie looked reassured at the reminder of his parents. They had no idea what had gone on, though, and simply thought it was another normal morning for which she was staying for breakfast. "Yes, of course, Joey," Bessie smiled. "I have good news for you. How would you like some help in the Icehouse?"
"Another waitress? Great!" Joey said, grateful at the change of topic.
"There's a girl who said she'd work there for a room and food."
"A room where? Oh, no, Bessie. We have no room in our house."
"Relax. I was thinking of the extra storeroom in the Icehouse. She can put in a matress and sleep there."
"And where is she getting a matress from?" Joey crossed her arms.
"Well, she's significantly shorter than you, so I thought we'd let her use the one that you outgrew and buy her some sheets. She said she's work for tips. I'll probably pay her a little."
"Okay," Joey said. "She sounds almost too good to be true."
"Wait, why don't you meet her? Honey!" Bessie called to a girl with dirty blond hair in a black hooded sweatshirt and baggy jeans. She looked up from the water, seemingly being woken up from a dream. She picked her bag up off the bench and walked to Joey and Bessie.
"This is Joey," Bessie said to her, "my sister. And Joey, this is--"
"Angel," Buffy said, her eyes welling up with tears as she looked at the ring on her finger. She clenched her fist and smiled at Joey. "Angel Summers."
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Feedback please! This is my first crossover. I plan to continue it, but please tell me what you thought!