Nothing But You
by Whedonist
Chapter 16
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Chapter 16
Moving day came with a flourish. Angel and Cordy had to be in L.A before the New Year so they decided to move on the 30th. Things were hectic to say the least. Faith was panicking and Angel removed boxes from the house while Buffy, Xander and, yes even, Willow brought their stuff from the dorms over to their new residence. By the time they had everything packed, dinner had come and gone.
Joyce had brought over sandwiches for the group and began fussing around Buffy as she unpacked her room. This was a big day for her first born. It was to be Buffy's first non college, non-parentally monitored residence. She was nervous for more than just those reasons. Her daughter and her daughter's girlfriend had decided to share the same bedroom. As happy as Joyce was for the two girls she still had misgivings. They hadn't been together for that long and well to Joyce's knowledge; Willow hadn't even discussed the move with her parents. Sighing she went back to helping Buffy hang curtains.
Willow and Xander walked into the room with two armfuls of boxes. They threw them down on the bed and then collapsed on the floor.
"I'm done, I'm so done. I can't move, I can't breathe. Shoot me. Stuff me. Mount me." Xander groaned out.
"I don't think I've ever been this sore. Buff, just leave me here tonight or forever is good to. I'll sleep on the floor."
Buffy stepped over to her girlfriend, "I can't you need to get up. We promised Angel bronzing fun before they left tonight and then tomorrow is New Years Eve. End of the year, ergo party, ergo shopping so that I can find something slutty to wear."
Willow looked up at the blonde and made a face, "Slutty, why?"
Buffy smiled down and winked which caused Willow to turn red. "Does this mean I have to go shopping to?" As much as Willow loved spending time with Buffy, she found that she had a hard time keeping up with the girl while shopping. The last time they went Xander and Dawnie had gone with them and her and Xander had ended up camping out at the food court due to exhaustion.
"Yes, remember the day after Christmas, you had promised me that I could dress you. I've got an outfit in mind, but that requires you in a dressing room."
Willow remembered the moment they had agreed to go shopping for outfits and blushed a bright red. This did not go unnoticed by Xander who poked Willow in the ribs and winked. Willow got redder and she kicked Buffy in the shin and scowled. They finished up the remaining boxes. situated the room and then left for the mall. With any luck they would be in and out and at the Bronze in two hours.
Unfortunately the shopping trip took longer than expected. They were 30 minutes late and the place was in full swing for the goodbye party. Oz had hired a DJ for the event and Anya was running around when the two walked in. They noticed the group over by the stairs and went to greet them.
There was talking and laughing and Angel had even cracked a few jokes. Two hours later, Angel, Buffy, and Willow were sitting on the couch talking, while Xander had Cordy and Dawn on the dance floor. Faith had taken Kate home earlier in the evening and no doubt was having her own private party.
"So when are you coming back up to visit?" Buffy asked.
"Maybe in two weeks. I need to get situated down there."
"Hmmm," The blonde said and then folded her arms across her chest. She still had a hard time with Angel leaving. As much as she was into girls, she couldn't help but play the what if game when it came to the man. They had a connection that just wouldn't go away. He had always popped in and out when she needed someone to talk to. He was there for her in ways that nobody was. Willow was the first person that she felt she had a stronger connection with. In fact if she had to list it in order, it would go Willow, Angel, Faith. She loved Xander, but there was a connection lacking in her relationship with her oldest friend. She vaguely heard Angel and Willow in a discussion as her mind kept wandering back to Angel's departure.
"Come on." Angel was standing before her with his hand outstretched.
Buffy blinked and looked up in to his eyes. "What?"
"Dance with me. I even got permission from your woman to offer you my hand for a spin around the floor. Please?"
Buffy looked to a smiling Willow and then back to Angel. She nodded and took his hand. They moved to the center of the floor and let the first four bars of the song dictate their movements. It was a punk ballad of all things and they just kind of smiled. It was slow and hard at the same time and the singer's thick British accent filled the club. Angel wrapped his arms around the slim body of his friend as she relaxed and rested her head on his chest. She smiled as the words filtered through the speakers.
Give me your hopes, give me your dreams
Give me your conscience and your fears
I'll keep them safe, I'll hold them dear
And I'll believe in you
When you're blind I'll be your eyes
When you're weak I'll carry you
When hope is gone I'll pull you through
And I'll believe in you
In darkest hours, in troubled times, through seas of fire and fields of lies
When all is lost in clouds of pain, I'll be your comfort and your guide
When all around the battles rage
Remember you were born to be free
I'm in your blood, your part of me
And I'll believe in you
So when you need me there just call
When your back's against the wall
I'll never let you fall
And I'll believe in you
The song continued as they moved slowly to the rhythm. He held her close and let her scent calm him. He couldn't help but wonder what might have been if things had been different. He smiled and rested his chin on the top of her head. Some things weren't meant to be, that much he had learned in his 28 years and that was okay. He had this and he wouldn't trade it for the world.
Buffy felt Angel relax further in to their embrace and she let a tear slip down her cheek. As the song ended, the fade in to the new one was a song she had remembered her mother playing. It was a different version, softer and in her opinion better than the original version. She let herself move with the man that held her and locked these moments in to her memory. She may not have been in love with Angel, but she still felt like she needed him. They had on occasion referred to each other as their platonic life mate. Mostly said in jest, the term seemed fair for both. She held on to him tighter as the singer began.
Childhood living is easy to do
The things you wanted I bought them for you
Graceless lady you know who I am
You know I can't let you slide through my hands
Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses, couldn't drag me away
I watched you suffer a dull aching pain
Now you decided to show me the same
No sweeping exits or offstage lines
Could make me feel bitter or treat you unkind
Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses, couldn't drag me away
I know I dreamed you a sin and a lie
I got my freedom but I don't have much time
Faith has been broken, tears must be cried
Let's do some living, after we'll die
Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses, we'll ride them some day
Wild horses couldn't drag me away
Wild, wild horses, we'll ride them some day
The last bars of the song ended and they broke away. Buffy's eyes were full of tears and Angel wiped away the few that had escaped.
"Are," Buffy struggled with her voice for a moment, "are you sure you have to go?"
He smiled down at her, "I am. It'll be okay."
"Promise?"
"On my life." He grabbed her hand and led her back to the girl that held her heart.
Willow had watched the entire display and felt warmed by the affection between the two. As they walked over, the redhead stood up and held out her hand. Buffy grabbed it gratefully and the two embraced for a moment. Willow looked over Buffy and Angel mouthed a 'thank you'. She nodded and pulled the blonde closer to her. He turned and grabbed Cordelia who was waiting by the door.
"You ready?" She asked as tenderly as possible.
Angel looked back at his family. Faith wasn't there. She didn't want to stay for the send off. Xander and Dawn were laughing with Anya and Willow still held Buffy.
"Angel?"
He turned back to look at his lover.
"If you don't want to..."
She was stopped by a finger on her lips. "Cordelia, don't. I want to go. It's just always hard saying goodbye."
"Then don't. We'll visit. I'll make sure of it."
"I know bao bai. I know." He took her hand led her from the club.
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The school term started anew. And the first few weeks had flown by. Adjustments were made, Faith having to do the most. Angel and Cordy called at least once a week and talked to nearly everyone. The man had even gotten used to writing emails to the people back in Sunnydale. Willow and Buffy had two classes together. While Xander had taken on an additional class in hopes of getting finished sooner that the four year program had outlined. Faith had taken on a serious load as well. She hadn't picked a major, but she figured the more classes she took the sooner she'd be done and that really was her ultimate goal.
The new housemates had gotten used to each other's patterns and had fortunately made the necessary adjustments. The four friends were in the Groto studying independently when a shadow fell over Faith's text book. She looked up in to blue eyes and sandy brown hair.
"Can I help you?" She asked with a hint of sarcasm.
"No," Riley said. He smiled when the rest of the group's heads snapped up at the sound of his voice. "Just wanted to stop by and say hello to Buffy."
Xander was out of his chair instantly stepping in the line of sight of the TA. "I think you should leave."
"I still think you should mind your own damn business." Riley challenged back.
Faith bristled at his tone and stood up between the two guys, "Look beefstick, I don't know what you're damage is, but I suggest you take it somewhere else."
"Who the fuck are you?" Riley glared down at the brunette.
As Faith was about to respond, Buffy stepped up, "Riley, this is Faith my ex girlfriend. And I think she's right. It's time for you to go."
He folded his arms across his chest and stood his ground. Buffy moved into his space and backed him further away from the group.
She let a finger trail down his chest and said in the sweetest voice she could muster, "Riley, did I ever tell you about my friend, Angel?"
He had relaxed due to Buffy's demeanor and shook his head no.
"Well, Angel was a great teacher. I learned some stuff that I want to take this time to show you." She gently took the sides of his face in her hands and pulled him down. As his eyes became level with hers, she took her right knee and slammed it into the spread legs of the man before her. As the hit registered, she jerked his face towards her head and slammed his nose against her crown. He toppled over as blood poured from his nose and his hands covered the crushed jewels of his manhood.
"If I ever, and I mean ever, see you come around me or mine again, I swear by my fashionable yet affordable boots that I will end you." She leaned down and grabbed his chin. She let the coldness she felt seep through and become visible in her eyes. "Are we at an understanding?"
He nodded weakly and she threw his head back so that it hit the floor and bounced back up. He groaned and she walked away. Faith, Xander and Willow all stood slacked jawed as Buffy came back, laid a kiss on Willow's forehead and resumed studying. Nothing about the event was mentioned the rest of the night and as far as the group was concerned, the frat boy had it coming.
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January ended and February began. Willow had been trying to plan a special Valentine's Day for her and Buffy. She nearly had the entire thing planned from the moment they woke to her giving Buffy her present. Buffy on the other hand had asked that they put the V-day plans away and attend a party that was hosted by Lowell house. Not wanting to disappoint, Willow had agreed and ended up cancelling the reservations she had made at the restaurant and the hotel. The party was tonight and Willow hadn't seen Buffy all day except in the morning when she had given the redhead a card and a kiss promising fun at the party and afterwards.
Willow sighed at her computer screen and waited for Buffy to get home from her five o'clock class. Ten minutes and six sighs later, Buffy came bouncing through the door.
"Wills?"
"In the kitchen Buff."
Buffy stepped though the entryway a few moments later and wrapped her arms around the redhead's waist. She rested her chin on Willow's shoulder and looked at the computer screen, "What's all this?"
"Just some security stuff Kate asked me to look over."
"Ah, work like this on a holiday is punishable by death you know?"
Willow spun the stool around and frowned, "Why's that?"
"Well because it's 6:30 and you aren't even dressed and we have to leave in like 10 minutes or we are going to be late."
"Uh, the party doesn't start until 8."
"Yes, but the reservations I made for us are at 7."
"When did you do that?"
"Three months ago." Buffy smiled and left to go get changed. Willow hurried after her and with a silly grin on her face.
Buffy had chosen a small Italian Bistro on the outskirts of town. The place had impressed Willow. It was designed for intimate conversation and allowed Buffy and Willow to catch up on the things that they had missed since the semester started. The diner was to short for either girls liking, but they had promised the rest of the gang they would meet up with them at the party.
A live band played as they stepped through the door. Neither one recognized the group, but smiled when they heard some of the music. Xander had found the two girls and led them to where everyone was sitting. Letting the music fade to the background, the group sat and talked. Occasionally one couple would dance or they all would and trade partner's for certain songs.
Currently Buffy and Willow were dancing so close that they doubted a strand of hair would fit between them. They rested forehead to forehead and moved slowly.
"Buffy?"
"Yeah Wills," Buffy moved back and looked at Willow.
"I want to go home. The rest of your present is there and well, if I don't get you alone soon, I can't be held responsible for my actions."
Buffy smirked and brought their lips together. Willow had been acting a little different tonight and the kiss she was currently engaged in proved the difference in her girl. The lip lock held the promise of more. Willow devoured Buffy with an intensity that she had never shown before and Buffy was nearly purring with the contact. As the kiss ended, Buffy looked into darkened emerald eyes. What she saw there surprised her.
Willow leaned into the blonde and sucked in an earlobe, "Buffy," she whispered, "make love to me tonight?" She pulled back and waited for the response. Buffy could only nod and took her soon to be lover's hand and led her back to their house.
***First song is by a band called Cock Sparrer off the album Two Monkeys-title: Anthem. The second song is by The Rolling Stones-Wild Horses. Also, bao bei is a Chinese for sweetheart. If you haven't been able to tell, I'm a raging Browncoat***