The Finale

 

 

 

So that's how she does it.

 

You were right, there's oil.

 

You owe me five bucks.

 

Good luck on collecting.

 

Angel licked his lips. Buffy was in the backyard, wearing a very teeny bikini, spreading oil over her skin. She had a lawn chair placed strategically in the sunniest spot in the yard. Next to her, Willow lounged in a matching lawn chair. Unlike Buffy, she had on a t-shirt and shorts and wore a floppy hat to shade her face.

 

"Shouldn't you be asleep?" Buffy looked up at where Angel stood watching from the kitchen window. "Creature of the night and all that."

 

He leaned on the window sill and grinned down at her. "Too noisy."

 

Too horny.

 

"Just think of the privacy when Xander's done." She grinned back at him.

 

Angel and Buffy had returned from two nights of testing the curse – and their stamina – to find Xander turning the basement into a Dawn sized apartment. When he finished with that, Xander planned to knock out the wall between Buffy's room and Dawn's old room to give Buffy and Angel more space and more privacy.

 

"I am." He smiled at Buffy, happy to think of the two of them in a much bigger bedroom. In a much bigger bed.

 

And those brass railings are going to come in so handy.

 

Angel sighed at the demon’s comment. But not alone. Unfortunately.

 

Luckily. Angelus countered. How else would you know Xander is sneaking up on you?

 

He's too sweaty to sneak. Angel turned to see Xander walking up the last steps from the basement. "How's it coming?"

 

"Pretty good." Xander opened the refrigerator and took out a jug of ice water.  Taking a big swallow, he closed the door and leaned against it. “Got the frame up. I need to run the electric lines, and then I can put the walls up.”

 

“I’d help, but construction is one job I never did.” Angel shrugged. “Not much night work.”

 

“Hard to hit the nails in the dark.”

 

“I know that – this – whatever this is going to cost – “

 

“Don’t sweat it.” Xander took another drink of his ice water.

 

I’ll leave that to you. Angelus huffed.

 

“Lorne gave me a check.” Setting the jug down on the bar, Xander went to the sink and washed his hands and arm.

 

“Lorne gave – oh good.” It was good because Angel hadn’t been sure of how exactly to broach the subject of paying for all the work Xander was doing for them. “You know, because, that’s good.”

 

Wow… can I have that written down and autographed? You were just so eloquent…

 

“What smells so good?” Xander looked around the kitchen.

 

“Pot roast.” Grabbing a towel off the cabinet, Angel opened the oven and carefully lifted out the pan. He set it on the stove top and removed the lid, testing a potato with a fork. “Not quite done yet.”

 

“Are those…. Are those….” The other man’s eyes glazed over. “Baby carrots?”

 

“And new potatoes.” He smacked Xander’s hand as he reached for a carrot. “They’re not done.”

 

“Buffy! Hey – “ Xander leaned on the kitchen window sill. “Can I take him home and make him cook for me?”

 

“No!” Came the answer. “He’s mine!”

 

“He’s cooking again?” Willow’s voice was excited. “Real food again?”

 

“With itty bitty baby carrots.” Xander watched as Angel put the pan back in the oven.

 

Well, let's all say yay for the vampire gourmet. Angelus yawned. How about we cook him with a side of those carrots?

 

Take forever to get him tender.

 

Angel didn’t eat, but he could cook, and after watching Buffy eat one too many take out dinners, he’d stocked the kitchen with food. The house was now a garlic free zone – with the exception of the cloves in Buffy’s battle trunk – and Angel spent a good portion of the afternoon in the kitchen.

 

He couldn’t sleep, thanks to the hammering and sawing coming from the basement and, truth be told, he liked to see the look on Buffy’s face when she came in from work to the smell of hot food.

 

Angelus felt the whole thing was demeaning to his dignity. Buffy’s gratitude, however, soothed Angelus’ dignity even as Angel reaped the benefits.

 

Angel couldn’t keep the silly grin off his face. All the daydreams and fantasies he’d had of living happily ever after with Buffy didn’t compare to the real thing.

 

“You know, I was going to do the big brother thing.” Xander leaned against the counter. “Threaten to hunt you down and stake you if you left her again. And now you’ve gone and spoiled it.”

 

“I’ll never leave her, Xander.” He went to the window and looked out at where Buffy lay in the lawn chair, her oiled skin gleaming in the sunlight. “Not even when she begins to hate me.”

 

“Hey, the Mayor was wrong.”

 

“I hope so.” Those words had driven him from her side. It wasn’t just the fear of the gypsy curse – it was the fear that Buffy would hate him for keeping her from a normal life. For staying eternally young as she aged.

 

“You’re taking the word of a guy who turned into a snake!” Xander threw up his hands.

 

Snake meat, actually. Angelus snickered. Snake kabob?

 

“With our life, we may not live long enough for her to get old anyway.” Angel had been going out on patrol with Buffy for the last few nights; Sunnydale was still on the Hellmouth and had more than its share of demonic activity.

 

“Just when I think you’re going to lighten up.” Picking up the water jug, Xander headed for the stairs. “You go back to being broody boy.”

 

I’m with him. Lighten up. Think about sex.

 

You do enough of that for both of us.

 

And that’s bad how? Angelus sighed and conjured up a naked and well oiled Buffy who slid her body over his.

 

Didn’t say it was bad. Angel turned back to watch Buffy through the window. She was laughing at something Willow had said, and he licked his lips as he watched her breasts jiggle. Didn’t say it was bad at all.

 

It’s all good… um…

 

 

 

 

“They’ve asked me to come back as the school librarian.”

 

“Really?”

 

“I’m considering it.” Giles set his teacup on the coffee table. “This recent incident made it quite clear to me that it’s better for me to be in Sunnydale than in England.”

 

“The Council thinks you need to watch me?” On the one hand Buffy liked the idea of Giles staying in Sunnydale, but on the other she didn’t like the implication that she couldn’t cut it without the Council’s help.

 

“Heaven forbid.” He raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “The Council already has people watching you. And me. It’s a wonder they don’t trip over each other.”

 

“They – “ She looked over her shoulder at the picture window. “And here I thought all I had to worry about was vamps hiding out in the bushes.”

 

“I realized when the Hellmouth was opened that I belong here.” Giles ducked his head, and a slight flush colored his cheeks. “I was quite beside myself with worry. Damned planes are so slow these days.”

 

“It’d be cool to have Giles around.” Dawn spoke up into the sudden silence.

 

“Yeah, it would.” Willow got up from her chair and went to Giles, hugging him, and Buffy and Dawn followed. Despite his protests, he hugged them back.

 

Awwww… isn’t that soooo sweet?

 

Shut up. Angel shoved Angelus into a corner of his box. He’s the only father she has.

 

She has me. The demon purred. I’ll be her daddy.

 

Pervert. He bit back a grin. Get in line.

 

“The new library isn’t cool like the old one was.” Dawn settled back on the sofa next to Angel. “It’s all modern and plasticky.”

 

“We did have a demonic ritual in the library though.” Buffy pointed out as she sat back down on Angel’s other side and slipped back under his arm.

 

“Plasiticky? Is that a word?” Giles chuckled. “It appears I am needed then.”

 

“Hey, I built a nice new school.” Xander protested. “It’s not my fault the pop top to the Hellmouth was underneath it.”

 

“And here I thought LA was bad news.” Lorne bushed a fleck of lint off his silk shirt. “Hollywood cannot compare to a Hellmouth.”

 

“At least Principal Wood won’t give us fits like Snyder did.” Buffy’s statement was greeted with nods from the group.

 

“His mother was a Slayer, so he’s bound to be much more understanding of certain situations.” Giles agreed.

 

“His mother was a Slayer?” Angel looked down at Buffy. Slayers could have children?

 

Don’t even think you’re running off so she can have a normal life!

 

Ignoring the mental snarl, Angel frowned. “She – I didn’t think – “

 

“They do sometimes marry and have children.” Giles said gently. “Most, however, do not.”

 

“Short career.” Buffy patted Angel’s chest as his arm tightened around her shoulders. “Hey, it’s in the contract.”

 

“Nikki was called quite late for a Slayer. I believe she was actually nineteen or twenty.” The former Watcher looked away from Buffy. “She was quite successful, her – career – spanned almost twice the normal time for a Slayer.”

 

Which is to say, not so freaking long.

 

Lorne didn’t like the downer mood in the room. After a cozy family dinner – not like his family would have had of course – he’d been nearly buzzed on the happy vibes in the air. “Well, kiddies, I’m up for some dessert. Angelcakes made a bread pudding I’m just dying to dive into.” He stood up and headed for the kitchen. “Anybody else want some?”

 

In the kitchen, Lorne pulled a stack of bowls from the cabinet and began dishing up the bread pudding. “Angel, sweetie you did use real rum in the sauce, didn’t you?”

 

“Of course.” Angel had followed him into the kitchen, sensing there was something bothering his friend. Lorne had been unusually quiet all evening. “Do I have to ask you to sing? Or are you going to tell me what’s wrong?”

 

“Nothing's wrong, puddin’. I just miss LA. It’s crazy, but it’s home, you know?” A dimple flashed in one green cheek as he smiled. “I think it’s time for me to hasta my la vista.”

 

“Sunnydale isn’t very exciting. At least not in the way LA is.” He spooned rum sauce over the puddings. “Demonic activity though, that we have.”

 

“In spades. Hearts and diamonds, too.” Lorne chuckled at his own joke. “I think you’ve settled in enough that Uncle Lorne can head back home. Maybe think about reopening Caritas.”

 

“Use the hotel if you want.” Angel picked up some of the filled dishes. “I won’t need it anymore.”

 

“Ah… what about Cordelia?” Lorne balanced the rest of the dishes in his hands. “She does live there – again. She’s going to want to – “

 

“She can just want.” Cordelia was a subject Angel refused to discuss. Even Angelus agreed on that. “Just pack my things up and send them to me. Turn the hotel into the club of your dreams.”

 

With girls dancing in cages. I always liked that. Angelus licked his lips. And then I liked to eat them.

 

Carrying the dishes into the living room, Angel handed them out before sitting on the sofa between Dawn and Buffy once again.

 

Lorne handed out the dishes he’d brought in and sat back down in his chair.  Wisely, he focused on eating the dessert and let the idea of trying to mend the fences between Angel and Cordelia drop. Into a deep hole which he then shoveled dirt into. He couldn’t blame his former broodiness for carrying a grudge. Cordy had wanted to stake him when he was helpless and un-souled. Fear did crazy things to people.

 

Angel pulled Buffy back against his side and rested his chin on her head. This was where he belonged. He was warm now, on both sides, Dawn having taken up permanent residence on whatever side Buffy was not pressed against. Buffy’s friends had accepted him, even Xander dropping the hated Dead Boy comments after the first few days.

 

He and Buffy would patrol until three or four in the morning and then come home and clean up before going to bed. A little post hunting activity, and they went to sleep. Or at least Buffy did. Angel got up after he was sure she was sleeping soundly to go downstairs and read or sketch in his journal.

 

When Buffy got up at six thirty to get ready for work, he had breakfast ready and after a kiss or five, Angel would go off to bed until mid-afternoon, when he’d get up and shower before he started dinner. They’d crawl into bed for a nap after dinner, and their routine started all over again. Angel smiled. He loved it.

 

Aren’t we just all June Cleaver? Angelus made a gagging sound.

 

I look good in pearls. He even made sure that Dawn and Buffy had a lunch packed to take with them. Angel smiled and kissed the top of Buffy’s head. Willow had started taking her lunch the last few days as well.

 

A house full of women and you’re feeding them? That’s just not normal.

 

I can only fuck the one. Buffy would kill him if he looked twice at Willow or Dawn. Or any other female on the planet. “Good?”

 

“Very.” Buffy looked up and gave him a rum sauce flavored kiss. “Make Buffy fat.”

 

We’ll work it off you, baby. Sex is the best exercise.

 

“You’ll never be fat.” Angel smiled at her and winked.

 

She grinned up at him, her nose crinkling up. “I bet.” Angel had busted the myths of vamp stamina and sexual appetite pretty quickly. The reality far exceeded the myth. Anne Rice would have wet dreams if she knew the truth.

 

“Wow.” Willow licked her spoon. “Still not used to the Angel smile.”

 

“Watch out, Buffy.” Xander teased. “Angel’s gonna ungay Willow.”

 

“Xander! You – “ The phone rang and Willow got up to answer it. “You are so saved by the bell.”

 

“Ungay Willow?” Lorne looked from Willow back to Xander. “What makes you think she’s gay? Am I the only one who can see – ”

 

“Oh my God!” Willow’s voice brought the conversation to a halt. “Are you sure? Okay, yeah, he’s right here. Giles!”

 

“What is it?” Giles took the phone from her.

 

“The Council. A potential has been attacked. Almost killed.” Her hand trembled, and he took a moment to pat her back. “I think her Watcher is dead.”

 

“This is Rupert Giles.” He said into the receiver. “Is she all right? That bad? Where was she attacked?”

 

“See, this is why I need to go back to LA.” Lorne got up and took his empty glass into the kitchen for a refill so the ice wouldn’t get lonely. “Nice peaceful LA? Who’d have thought?”

 

“Yes, I understand. Please let me know if their conditions improve.” Giles rubbed at his temple as he hung the phone up.

 

“What happened?” Buffy asked.

 

“One of the potential slayers – a young girl in Germany – was attacked and she’s been hurt quite badly.” Giles sat down in his chair once again. “Her Watcher was able to get her to safety and call for help. They’re both in the hospital. Davies isn’t certain they’ll survive.”

 

“Was it a random axe murderer kind of thing or something really evil?” Willow rubbed her hands up and down her arms. “Some new something really evil?”

 

“Another potential was killed a few days ago in what appeared to be an accident, but now the Council is looking into the possibility that it was actually an attack.” Giles looked up as Lorne came back into the room and handed him a drink. “Thank you.”

 

“Figured you could use it.” Lorne lifted his own glass. “When the going gets tough, I stay home and drink.”

 

“So this was all just a happy coincidence?” Buffy shook her head. “All this stuff that was going on – the slayer killing wasn’t even a part of it?”

 

“Who’d want to kill the potentials?” Dawn shivered and leaned against Angel. “I mean, they’re not slayers – not really.”

 

“Easier to ask who doesn’t want to kill slayers, potential and otherwise?” Lorne held up his hands. “I’d count, but ladybug, I don’t have enough fingers.”

 

“He has a point.” Angel pulled Buffy tighter against his side. “The real question is, who would have the resources to go after the potential slayers. They’re scattered all over the world, and evil isn’t known for its organizational skills.”

 

“Until recently I would have pointed at Wolfram and Hart.” Giles mused. “Now, however, they’re out of the picture.”

 

“So it’s some demon with a locator spell? And he’s racking up the frequent flyer miles?” Xander suggested.

 

“It doesn’t work that way, Xander.” Giles told him. “The potentials are just that – potential slayers – they appear to be no different than anyone else. There’s no easy way to locate them. The Council has had centuries of locating potential slayers to perfect their methods – and even then, they’ve overlooked potential Slayers and misread others.”

 

“And they aren’t sharing.” Buffy joked. Then her eyes narrowed. “Or are they?”

 

“They keep a list.” Angel met the former Watcher’s eyes over Buffy’s head. The list of potential slayers was a prize that many demons had died trying to obtain. “But no one has ever been able to get a hold of it.”

 

Giles’ eyes widened. “A mole? Inside the council? Dear Lord.”

 

 

 

 

“A mole? Rupert, do be serious.” Quentin Travers huffed in annoyance. “There have been attempts for centuries to insert a mole into the Council’s ranks, but we have ways of preventing it.”

 

“Will you stop and think about what is happening?” Giles was pacing in a tight circle in Buffy’s kitchen. It had taken all night and most of the morning to get a call through to the head of the Council and now that he had, the man refused to take his warning seriously. “Potential slayers are being murdered – their Watchers as well – one after the other! There is simply no other way that the information – “

 

“It’s just a new attack on the slayers. One we will deal with.” The older man looked over a report about the last attack. “Simply a new method of detecting the potentials that we will put a stop to.”

 

“Travers, listen to me – “

 

“Mr. Giles.” The older man dropped his voice down into the range that brought younger Watchers to heel. “The Council’s business is no longer your concern.”

 

“No longer my – “ There was a click as the call ended. “You pompous old – he hung up on me!”

 

“What about your friend?” Buffy asked.

 

“Davies?” Giles nodded as he hung the phone up. “I’m sure he’ll take the warning far more seriously. There are a number of Watchers who are unhappy with how Travers has managed the Council since becoming head Watcher.”

 

“Maybe it’s time for a change?” Angel rubbed a hand up and down Buffy’s back. Changes like getting rid of the barbaric Cruciamentum that had almost killed Buffy on her eighteenth birthday.

 

“Possibly. There have been other instances of shifts in power within the Council ranks.” Dialing the phone, Giles smiled at the thought. “Times change, and the Council should change with them.”

 

Buffy took Angel’s hand and led him out of the kitchen. “Let’s leave him to his mission.”

 

“Why didn’t you tell me about the potential slayers being targeted?”

 

“I thought it was part of the Hellmouth opening and the rock guy trying to end the world.” She shrugged. “It didn’t seem important at the time. I mean – God, that sounds cold.”

 

“I know what you meant.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “There was a bigger battle to be fought.”

 

“And now there’s a new one.”

 

She’d been happy only moments before, and it made her sadness hurt him that much more. Angel pulled her into his arms. “There’s always going to be a new battle, Buffy. It’s part of who we are – what we do.”

 

“I just want – “ Wrapping her arms around his waist, Buffy hid her face against his chest. “I just want to hide for awhile. I just want to be happy. I just want a happy ending. Just for a little while.”

 

“I love you – and I’m not going to lie to you. We have to take our happy moments as they come.” He stroked a hand soothingly down her back. “We’re not going to have a happy ending. Not until we’re dead.”

 

“Well, that’s no fair. You already have a head start.”

 

A chuckle escaped him, Buffy had the oddest sense of humor, and she never failed to surprise him. “But you can see I’m waiting on you, right?”

 

“Yeah.” Buffy tipped her head back to look at him. “Angel, is there an afterlife? I mean, I know I was someplace wonderful – but will you be there? Will we get to be together?”

 

“I hope so – God, I hope so.” Otherwise, why bother? “When our time here is – over – then I hope we go there. Together.”

 

“Together.” She smiled.

 

And what about me? Where do I go?

 

To hell, hopefully. Lowering his head, Angel kissed Buffy, smiling against her lips.