Timeline

Chapter 16


Angel took one last look at Cordy and walked out the door, his head in his hands. Buffy followed him.
"Angel wait!"
He stopped dead in his tracks but didn't turn to face her
"Don't do what I think it is your going to do"
"I can't sit back and watch the world around me fall apart Buffy. Not when I know it's my fault"
"It's not falling apart and it's not your fault"
"Then why ? Why do I feel the guilt? It was me that asked Willow to curse Liam , and it was because of that we had to bring him back with us"
Tears threatened to fall from Buffy's eyes , it stung, and it hurt to see Angel like this.
"Your going to the Powers aren't you"
"Yes"
Angel still couldn't look at Buffy.
"Your going to get them to turn back time aren't you?"
"Yes" Buffy could tell he was crying.
"Why? There must some other way! I'm having our baby , if you turn back the clock I won't and you won't be human" Buffy could no longer keep the tears back.
"It's hard I know ,but thats what makes us champions."
"Hard" she lost her temper "Hard is not a word I'd use! Your human and have a child on the way, a baby you never thought you would have, I , never thought I'd have, let alone , with you! And now your going to give that up.Give up your humanity, I can deal with that , but don't take my baby" She ran her hands over the slight bump.
Angel turned round , finally facing Buffy. " I can't see a way to sort this without the Powers help"
She walked to Angel and wrapped her hands round his waist, burying her head in his chest.
"I hear your heartbeat and I can't imagine you without it now.Your warm and alive and we're together , happy, about to be a family.If these Powers of yours are good then they have a funny way of showing it"
"It's not their fault Buffy , they guide us , me , they don't make my choices"
"Why do you always do that?"
"Do what ?"
"Make sense , be wise and right, and selfless.Can't you be wrong and selfish , just this once"
"You already know the answer"
Buffy broke away from him , tears still falling down her face.
"Then go!" she hit him in the chest, once she started , she couldn't stop.
Angel wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.His tears falling into her hair."I'm sorry " he whispered and pushed her away,Buffy landed on the floor with a thud. " You think I'm a rightious man , that I deserve my humanity and all this ? Have you forgotten what I was , what I did? I haven't Buffy and thats why I don't deserve you , or a child.What kind of a father can I be?"
"I have never forgotten what you were, you never let me."
"And you still love me"
"Even as Angelus , I loved you! What kind of Father would you be? I guess we'll never know " She pushed herself up off the floor and ran to her room.The door slammed and Angel heard the lock turn.
Giles came out of Cordelia's room and put his hands deep into his pockets.Angel still stood staring at the space Buffy had vacated.
"Buffy has a point , although I'm not sure she made it quite as eloquently as I am about to. You have attoned for alot , for a long time.You have carried the guilt for everything you did as Angelus for a lifetime, or two.If there is a way around this , we will work round the clock to find it.Don't throw this chance of happiness away.It appears to us all that you have given up and it would appear that you find comfort in misery.For someone who is supposed to be a fighter for the cause of good, it would seem that you have lost the will to fight. May I also remind you that the prophecy we are hard at work deciphering, points towards your child being an iconic figure in the battle between good and evil.I trust you to make the right choice for you both"
Giles walked away , his head hung and his hands still buried in his pockets.
Angel stood in the same spot for what seemed like eternity. He heard the group talking about the events of the last hour .Finally , he ran down the stairs and out into the street.


Angel got into his car and drove to the spot he and Buffy had had the picnic. The day echoed in his mind and it was so vivid , he could almost see it. Tears streamed from his eyes and his heart beat so fast , he thought he would have a coronary.
"Whats the matter"
Angel snapped out of his daydream and saw a young girl looking up at him.She seemed vaguely familiar.
"I'm fine "
"So why are you crying?"
"Because I love someone and I hurt that person. I have to make a choice that will hurt that person more" He had no idea why he was being so open with the little girl . Shewas about 6 years old and had the most beautiful hair and lilac / blue eyes. She looked up at Angel again , the sun causing her to wrinkle up her nose and squint her eyes. Angel crouched down to her height to prevent it.
"Why do you have to?"
O.K Angel , get out of that one , he said to himself. "When your old like me, there are some things you don't want to do , but you have to, cos thats whats best for everyone you know and love."
"But if you love someone your not meant to hurt them" the little girl said.
"I know , but life and love don't make it easy"
The little girl slipped her hand into Angel's . "Whats your name Mr"
"Angel"
"Mine's Gabrielle"
"Pleased to meet you Gabrielle" he smiled at her .He looked out at he ocean.
"Angel, thats a funny name .Are you one?"
He smirked " Far from it "
" I have to go now . Take care of the prophesized one" She let go of Angels hand.
Angel glanced down to say something back to her and she was gone. He looked up at the prominade and there was no sign of the girl anywhere.He knew then.
Angel raced back to the car and sped back to the hotel.

Cordy was in her bed, no physical signs of her possesion. Willow was recouperating in her room. Faith had come down to the foyer.
"Anyone checked on the captives lately?"
"Errrr , no, not since Gunn last night"
" I'll go now then boss" Faith said to Wesley
"Take some blood with you , I'm sure Liam would appreciate it"
"Can't we just feed Lilah to him, bet he'd appreciate that more, I know I would"
"Faith!"
"Just ribbin you Wes"
Faith went into the kitchen and opened the fridge.She grabbed a bag of pigs blood and threw it in the microwave.She sat up on the counter and swung her legs while she waited.
"So slayer , heard the commotion earlier and thought it best to keep my head down.How's tricks now" Spike asked
"Angels being a tosser , hey I like the guy , but he really needs to let loose y'no. Buffy's a basket case , locked in her room, still got the evil twins in the basement and Cordy's in a coma.Things look just peachy don't they" She jumped off the counter.
"So whats with the poof and the slayer then? Thought they would be buying cribs and knitting"
"Angel's decided to go to the Powers and get them to turn back time and erase the last few months"
"He's bloody what!" Spike screamed " If the idiot was here now I'd knock his soddin' head off "
Faith just raised her brows.
Spike paced the kitchen " I'll bloody kill him ". Sick of pacing the kitchen he threw open the kitchen door and bounded up the stairs.
Faith took the warm blood out and put it in a mug for Liam, she grimaced as it glouped out of the bag and into the mug.


Spike tapped gently on Buffy's door."It's me"
"Go away!"
Spike could hear her sobs through the door.
"I'm not going til you let me see your alright luv"
"Leave me alone!"
"Have it your way pet,but I was on your side and was gonna knock the poofs head off for you"
As spike turned to walk off , he heard the key turn in the lock.A smile came to his lips.
Buff opened the door slightly "Spike"
"Here Buff. Heard about Angel.You O.K. Stupid question I guess"
She opened the door wider to let him in.
"Kind of need an invite, not been in there before " he pointed for emphasis.
Buffy opened the door wider " C'min"
Spike crossed the threshold and looked around the room.The room was immaculate.A suitcase was on the bed, the lid open,Buffy's clothing spilling out of it.
"Going somewhere?"
"No , I just didn't unpack yet.Kinda been too busy."
"I had you pegged as a runner"
"No , not this time, I did last time Angel and I seperated but not this time.I have a job to do , and I'm going to see it through"
"So your seperating? Not over for good then?"
Buffy looked up at Spike .She huffed at him "No it's over , I think, I mean how can I stay with him knowing he gave up our baby and everything"
"I think your missing the point luv" he put up his hands in mock surrender before he continued " You won't remember it.If he turns back the clock you will just turn up and start all over again"
"So what stops us doing the same thing?"
"He does, he remembers" Spike sat on the bed pushing the suitcase out the way.He patted the bed beside him " He's the only one that will know"
"Aren't you mad , I mean , you won't get released from the amulet either"
Spike shrugged his shoulders " Hey I was happy going out the way I did , I died for the cause and cos of this great girl. I was ready to go .If I get another shot , sobeit. I'm just pissed he hasn't even discussed it with us all and what he's doing to you now"
"Your sweet , really , but I'll be alright " Buffy tried hard to smile .She sat on the bed and her shoulders sank, sobs crept into her voice " I just , I can't understand how he can choose to erase his unborn child" her hand clutched her stomach.
Spike wrapped his arms around her and drew her into his chest.He didn't say or do anymore than that.
The door flew open and Angel burst in
"Get away from her Spike!" he said through gritted teeth.
Spike couldn't help but laugh "Thats rich ,I should be saying that to you.Look at the state the poor girls in , cos of you , I might add! I was just comforting her"
"Stop it ,STOP IT!" Buffy yelled ,still sobbing."Is this some new torture you have cooked up just for me?"
Spike still stood beside Buffy. Angel slammed the door and walked closer to Buffy , watching Spike.
"I need to talk to you Buffy".He looked at her , his eyes full of hope.Then looked at the floor .
"What can you say now? I think what you said earlier pretty much covered it"
"I haven't been to the Powers yet" Angel looked up at her "Please can we talk"
"Why not?I mean why haven't you been?"
"I went to our spot on the beach to think and clear my head."
Spike stood up and left, knowing it wasn't his place to be there.
"So an afternoon of the sun and we're back to happy families?"
"It's not that simple"
Buffy sank into the chair and said " You got five minutes"
Angel knelt beside her " I went to the beach for some air and to think about everything. A young girl asked me why I was crying.I told her , not everything but in short.She couldn't understand why I was so willing to throw it all away.Then she said something that convinced me." He placed his hand on the swelling bump.
"What?" Buffy still couldn't get her head round everything.
"She said 'Look after the prophesized one' "
Buffy's eyes met Angels and it took her a few seconds to realise .
"I can't go through with it Buffy ,I can't .I love you so much ,I love our baby so much."
" You've had your five minutes , can you leave please"
Angel slowly got up and walked to the door.He turned to watch Buffy go out onto her balcony .He left her room and went next door to his.He turned his lights down and sat in the dark , crying.


Liam heard the door to the basement open.
"This will be me dinner arriving" He said hopping off his bunk. "Just a question of which pretty thing be my maid"
Dawn stepped off the last step and smiled at Liam.She put the tray down on the table and picked up his mug.She glared at Lilah.
" Mornin' darlin' , how are ye today?"
"Much the same, no thanks to her " Dawn nodded her head in Lilah's direction.
"I heard the commotion last night ,what was the din about?"
"I'm not going to discuss that with her sat over there"
"Don't mind me,I'm sure it was just like the vision" Lilah said.
Dawn shot a look to Lilah.
"Seems like the lady already knows"
"Here's your blood" Dawn slammed it through the bars . She raced upstairs to get Angel and Buffy.
"What is it with you and her anyway" Lilah asked
Liam morphed as he drank his blood. He liked it when Dawn did it , she would occasionally put something in there to 'pep it up' .She had been busy for the past two days , so Faith had dealt with him.He wasn't keen on her and she had threatened to put garlic in his blood.Liam missed Dawn, she would often come down and sit with him during the night.She would tell him about fights Buffy had and how she had been a 'key' to unlock dimensions and had a God after her, Liam had to admit he would miss her if anything happened to him.Spike had been an annoying 'guest'. No wonder Angel couldn't stand him.He had been bored by Spikes brags of bravery and of the good old days , when Angelus and himself had been the most feared vampires .Buffy hadn't come down to see him .Dawn had said it was because she was 'wigged out' by him .
Angel had been too busy to come and visit with him for a while . Hopefully Dawn will come and talk with him tomorrow.He continued to ignore Lilah , finally he succumbed to sleep.
Lilah hated it when he fell asleep.He would snore and his animalistic growls would wake her through the night.

Angel woke up and felt stiff. He stretched out and realised he had slept in his chair.He had slept in it countless times as a vampire, never as a human .Angel stood up and clutched his back , being human was definately more painful.His first thought was of Buffy.He shook his hands through his hair and went into the bathroom. He freshened up and opened his balcony doors.Buffy's were still open. Angel went to the phone and made a call.After five minutes he ran downstairs and went out the front doors. He returned five minutes later with a huge bouquet and ran back upstairs. He paused outside Buffy's room and smoothed himself down before knocking.
He didn't get an answer so he tried the door. It opened and he stepped in.Her bed was made and her cup sat on the kitchenettes drainer.
"Buffy?"
No answer .He stepped out onto the balcony.Still no sign. Maybe she had to go out for something or she went on patrol. He saw a note on the bed. He didn't need to read it , he knew what it said . He sat on the bed and dropped the flowers onto the floor. He picked up the note and held it for a while.It was as if he was trying to gain some courage. Angel slipped his finger under the envelopes tab and flicked it open.
He unfolded the note, reading it slowly.


Angel
I need some time to myself. I'm not punishing you by leaving ,but I can't stay with you either. I have to do what is best for the baby.I hope that you can understand that. I have left a note for Dawn.Please see that she gets it.I will contact you when the baby is born, should you decide to not go to the Powers.
I still love you Angel , I always will .This world doesn't want us together , I get that now.Being human doesn't change that.
Take care of yourself
Bx

Angel screwed the note up in his fist and threw it.Blinded by tears he left her room and locked the door.