Betrayal By The Heart part 10
Author: Jozzy
Disclaimers: See part 1
Part 10
Angel moved slowly through the thick crowed of teenage flesh. He had dropped Willow off at her home a little over an hour ago. The redhead had had a major test the next day and decided to go home early from slaying. With no Wills to keep him company Angel had found himself lurking around Sunnydale and as always he eventually drifted towards The Bronze.
It was a the first day of the week and the teen club was filled to the hilt with kids trying to get rid of the Monday Blues. Young people threw themselves onto the dance floor, hoping to clear their minds in the haze of adrenaline. The music was low and rhythmic, many bodies swayed to the sound.
Angel both loved and hated coming to The Bronze. He loved it because all of these innocent non-assuming kids never saw him as anything but a man. Here he was not the souled vampire, he was just Angel, a shy man who stuck to the shadows a lot. Of course the happiness that he felt was almost overshadowed by his almost overwhelming guilt. He didn't deserve these kids unintentional forgiveness. If they knew what he had done, who he had been, they would not be nearly as comfortable with him.
Quietly the long dark figure made his way upstairs, it was easier to see the entire club from up there, and Angel didn't want to miss the entrance of a certain blond. He knew she would be there, even during apocalyptic times Buffy still went to The Bronze, unable to stay away for more than a couple nights at a time. It was one of the few areas that the slayer was predictable.
He and Buffy needed to talk. Last week when he had told Willow that he and Buffy's relationship was headed down the tube he had not been lying. Obviously things weren't going right; and not just because of Willow and his friendship. Lately Angel had been unable to muster the same feelings he had held for Buffy before his 'departure'. Now all he saw when he looked at her now was the girl who had driven a sword through his belly. That was not good foundation for any kind of real relationship. He had to end things.
It would have been over sooner if he had had the nerve to tell Buffy. Angel had decided weeks, if not months, ago that there was nothing left between him and his one time beloved. However he had known that if he were end it so abruptly they would most likely part on bad terms. Now it was inevitable. Besides after this fiasco had started really their relationship had been over, it was just that Angel was reluctant to say anything and Buffy would not let go.
But now she would have to because Angel was done. Done with the jealousy, that he still couldn't believe that he at one time thought cute, done with sneaking around behind everyone's back, done with the pain of knowing nothing could really ever come of their relationship. It was over and Buffy would just have to live with it.
**********
Xander paid for he and Buffy to enter the club. "It sure is busy tonight."
Buffy shrugged, "It's a Monday and The Bronze is the only place to go to relieve the stress."
"Come on Xand- let's go find a table."
"Right. Table. Go."
The two friends made their way through the noisy crowd, finding a table they say down. This had become a ritual of theirs. Every night or so they would come to The Bronze after patrolling. More and more it seemed they came here that came here, drowning their sorrows and woes in a sea of caffeine and dancing. After all that had happened in the last few months it seemed The Bronze was the only place to find solace. Angel and Willow would probably never enter this place without one of them.
Buffy and Xander spent all their free time together now, and most of the time they were supposed to busy as well. Their anger and resentment binding them closer than slaying ever had. Furry at Willow for her betrayal and underlying guilt forced them to seek comfort in each other's presence.
The hairs on the back of Buffy's neck stood up, her 'spider senses were tingling, there was a vampire near by. Not many had the courage to enter the Slayer's favorite hang out, so it had to be a very cocky master, or some fresh fledgling. I don't have the time or energy to deal with this shit. Can't I have just one night off? Is that so much to ask. Don't the vamps have something better to do than feed all night long.
"Buffy."
Oh God. It was Angel and the tone his voice did not hold any hope. Of course Buffy wasn't surprised, not in the least, she had known even before the Willow Debacle that they were over. There had been a chasm between her and Angel ever since his return and there was no way they could ever cross it. But Buffy had still hoped she had wanted to be with Angel. He was the only person that had ever really understood the pressure of being a slayer, of having the weight of the world on your shoulders. In that way they were perfectly matched. That and the passion, there had always been an animal attraction between the two. One that was easier to give into than give up.
But that was not enough to keep them together, no matter how much she wished it was. She had been counting the days they had left, treasuring them, knowing they would soon before. When Willow had slipped that night in the library Buffy had been livid. Not because she believed anything was really going on between the two, no because she knew that Willow could give Angel something she could not, friendship.
In all the time that they had been together, Angel and Buffy had not had many poignant conversations. When they talked everything revolved around slaying. But Willow was a brain and new a lot about the things that interested Angel. They had read the same books and had things in common. It hurt to know that her best friend was a better girlfriend than she was.
So she had reacted, badly, she had been jealous and she took it all out on Willow because she knew the redhead would never say anything. It was easy to bitch at her, she took it all with little to no complaint. Now she had probably lost her, not even Willow could be that forgiving, and Angel as well. Buffy could just imagine what he thought of her now. She had been petty and jealous before, but now she was also mean and spiteful as well. She really didn't want to talk to him tonight. She wanted to pretend that everything would be okay. Damn.
**********
"We need to talk"
"Can this wait Angel, I'm kind of busy."
"No it can't wait, I need to speak with you NOW."
"Fine...fine, let's go outside so we can actually hear each other."
The two moved towards the exit, stopping to get re-admittance stamp on the back of their hands.
"Okay...you wanted to talk. What is it?"
"It's about us...Buffy, we've been having these problems...and I think-"
"I know Angel but that doesn't matter...we can work things out. I know everything has been crazy but-"
"Buffy, please understand...I care about you deeply but there is nothing romantic between us anymore."
"No that's not true...there is lots between us."
"Nothing that would keep us in a REAL relationship."
"I won't accept this Angel. Yes we have a couple of problems, but its nothing that we can't work through-"
"Buff-"
"I love you."
"..."
"I love you and I won't stop and I won't let you go."
"But I don't love YOU anymore Buffy. What kind of relationship would that be?"
"I know you think that you love Willow now but its not true. We belong together...and even if you can't see that right now, you will soon."
"I won't let you go Angel, not for Willow, not for anyone."
**************
This isn't good. This is definitely not good. Angel had known that Buffy would take it hard but the open denial shocked and worried him. She knew about Willow, about his feelings for the young girl, and she was adamant to do something about them. Oh god she might try to hurt Willow.
Angel desperately wanted to believe that Buffy would never hurt the girl that, up until a 4 months ago, had been one of her best friends. But the slayer had the ability to stall her conscience when she really wanted, allowing her to obtain her goals at any cost. A worthy trait in a slayer, a deadly one in the hands of an ex-lover.
He needed to keep Willow out of this where she would be safe. But he couldn't be there when she was at school and now that she insisted on going home at night, it would be even harder. Think damn it, that girl is going to die because you can't keep your libido in check. Its not like that, I feel more than just lust for Willow. She's a wonderful woman...I love her. It's funny how the woman that love you always end up dead or crazy. Which one will she be? He had to be near Willow for as much time as possible. Which meant that one of them would be moving.
It was the easiest way he could think of. If he lived with Willow than he would no doubt be around her enough to protect her. Now all he had to do is come up with a believable reason for Willow to move into the mansion with him without it sounding like some kind of proposition. No need for Willow to be afraid of him. Like really you want her to live at the mansion just for her safety.
Okay with a plan now forming in his mind Angel made his way towards Willow's home. He had to get there before Buffy did.
********
It's not her fault. She can't help being everything you aren't. But the only way I can be with Angel is for her to be out of the picture. Listen to what your saying...your the slayer for God's sake. Your supposed to protect the innocent not plot to kill them. I don't want her dead, just out of the picture long enough for him to come back to me. Oh and how are you planning to make her leave. You just gonnna walk up to her and say, "Willow I know I've been the worst friend in the world to you and that I practically stabbed you in the back with that whole Oz thing; but I think my boyfriend, who you just happen to be perfect for, is falling for you so you can either leave town or I can kill you. That'll work.
A jumble of thoughts worked their way through Buffy's mind as she made her way back to Xander and the table. She had to make sure Willow was to occupied to take up anytime with Angel. She needed away to make sure the last thing on Willow's mind was the dark vampire that had become her close confidant over such a short period of time. Simply put she had to make some trouble.
"So Buff...what did Dead Boy want?"
Ah, Xander, easily manipulated, unknowingly in love with Willow, and unbelievably jealous of Angel. He would be perfect.
"God, Xander...he just broke up with me. I was right...about him and Wills. He's seeing her right now and he wanted to get rid of me before 'going any farther'. It hurts him dumping me, but I'm really worried about Will. She's so innocent and Angel is ...Angel. Eventually things will happen and then we'll have another bout of Angelus fever. I don't think she could stand up to his courting like I could."
Buffy watched as Xander's face went from red with anger to pale with fear. He loved Willow a lot, more than even he knew, and Xander was always one to let his emotions cloud his judgment. She had no doubt that by next morning would have all the plans worked out for his 'Save Willow From Dead Boy' campaign. Perfect.
Now all she had to do was go find Willow. Pay her a little visit, sit and chat with her like good friends should.
********
End part 10
