Once a Year

December 24, 2002

Angel sat in his darkened office brooding. It was Christmas eve and he was alone. Wesley had gone back to his life after the apocalypse was averted, Lorne had a date with an old friend, Fred and Gunn were spending the evening together at a nice retreat in the mountains trying to put their relationship back together and Cordelia and Connor were in New York for the holiday. Connor had never seen snow so the seer had taken him east. Angel couldn’t hold their ever-growing relationship against the pair. They were content, and Angel thought they both deserved happiness even if seeing them together tore the vampire’s heart to shreds. It shouldn’t really matter that he was alone. He couldn’t exactly hold the Christian holiday sacred in his undead state. So here he was sitting in the silent hotel feeling ridiculous for being so miserable. His friends were safe and happy, he and Connor were getting along surprisingly well, and business was good. He should be as happy as his cursed state allowed but instead he was there in the dark feeling sorry for himself.

“I’m pathetic.” He said to the dark.

“Loneliness sometimes does that to people.” The sing-song voice drifted from the shadows by the door.

“Hello Ephanie.” Angel said with a smile. He hadn’t seen the elf for over a month and didn’t realize how much he had missed the girl until now. He barely knew her and yet a part of him felt as if he’d always known her.

“Hey, brood boy.” She said with a cheeky grin as she materialized from the darkness. Her raven hair had been curled then piled haphazardly on the top of her, long ringlets framing her face. She was wearing a simple black cotton dress and the long skirt curled around her legs as if it were alive as she turned and walked out into the lobby. Angel rose from his chair and followed.

“I brought you a Christmas present.” She said with a smile.

“Elves don’t celebrate Christmas.” He said.

“Neither do vampires.” She countered tilting her head toward the Christmas tree set up in the corner of the massive room.

He just shrugged.

“Doesn’t matter, close you eyes.” The elf demanded, a mischievous twinkle in her metallic eyes.

When he obeyed she murmured a simple retrieval spell and his present appeared in her hand.

“Ok, open them.”

His brown eyes opened and fell on the wicked looking sword in her hands.

“I had it crafted especially for you. It will cut threw anything and the blade is made of a special metal my people developed, it’s poisonous to anything that touches it without the owner’s permission. And the poison with kill any manner of creature.”

He took it gingerly from her hands. The weight and balance was perfect. “It’s amazing, thank you. If I’d known I’d see you I would’ve…” She cut him off.

“Don’t worry about it.” She said with a grin. “The little happy vibes you’re giving off are enough for me. Just keep it locked up until you tell you friends they’re allowed to play with it.”

“The perfect weapon.” Angel mused as he swung it a few times. “I love it.”

“Good. I figured you could use it. Now, what shall we do?”

“You’re hanging around?” Angel asked.

“Of course, even though I don’t celebrate it, no one should be alone on a holiday. The sun will be setting any minute, do you know anywhere we could go that my appearance won’t freak out the patrons?” She asked tapping a pointed ear.

“Couldn’t you just do a glamour or something?” Angel asked.

“I could but I won’t. So that means whenever I’m not in my own realm I have to keep a low profile. Here, I am slave to the night just as much as you are. I’m proud of what I am and that pride won’t let me hide behind magick.”

“Is that an Ephanie thing or an elf thing?”

“Elf thing, I suppose, we tend to be on the proud side. We can’t go into the sun here anyway, our skin is to sensitive for it.”

“I think I know somewhere we can go. There’s an underground club downtown that caters to demons and the like. You’ll blend.”

“Good.” She said with a smile.

As soon as the sun sank below the horizon they headed out. They drove most of the way to the club but parking demanded they stop and park several blocks away.

“Tell me about your realm, what do you do there for fun?” Angel said as they got out of the car and began to walk.

“Well, there’s not really a lot to tell. I mean not from my point of view anyway. Since I’m a warrior I spend most of my time training, making weapons, or traveling from world to world helping other warriors fight. I’m also a healer so I don’t really have time for fun.”

“What do you think you would be doing if you had been born a warrior?”

“Maybe I’d be a musician.” She said after a moment of thought. “I play the harp on my very rare moments of free time, I’ve always wished I could give music more attention. Songs and melodies are very important to my people.”

“Is that why your voices sound the way they do? I’ve met very few elves but your voices have all been musical.”

“Yes. It’s a part of us. We need music like vampires need blood. We could survive without it but we would be weak, hollow, probably insane.”

“Wow, I knew you’re kind had an affinity for music but I never knew it was that crucial.”

“I’m gonna let you in on a little secret. Most of what humans think they know about elves is completely wrong. We like it that way. We’re actually a pretty secretive kind of people.”

“Then why are you telling me?” He asked. “Could you get in trouble?”

“No, you’re not human. I can tell you as many secrets as I please and the elders can’t do a thing.” She said with a smirk.

“So I’m guessing that elves being mischievous tricksters is one of the things humans got right?” Angel asked with a smirk of his own.

“You got it!” Ephanie smiled brightly then skipped childishly the last few feet to the door of the club.

The interior was decorated for Christmas, even though most of the patrons were demons they were all of the harmless variety and most of them celebrated the Christian holidays. Multicolored strings of lights hung around the ceiling, silver tinsel was wrapped around the polls supporting the roof, and red and green candles glowed from bright Christmas holders set up here and there. Bowls of candy canes sat on each table while people passed around plates of cookies shaped like Santa, and Angel saw a bowl of eggnog resting on the edge of the bar.

The pair stayed at the club until it closed at 4 am dancing, eating, talking, and laughing. When the club closed Angel and Ephanie stood off to the side letting the other club goers push each out the door. Suddenly arm shot out of the mob, grabbed Angel’s shoulder and used it’s purchase there to pull the owner of said arm out of the flow of people.

“Lorne! I didn’t even know you were here.” Angel said

“I just stopped in for a minute to see who was out and about. I heard Ephanie and thought I’d track the little sweetheart down.” The demon said smiling at Ephanie. Because of the music in her voice every time the elf spoke Lorne could read her, he’d been too worried to notice the last time they met. He wondered if Angel knew how the girl felt about him, how she watched from the shadows almost every time he hunted to make sure he stayed safe, that she had been doing so long before they had met last month. Something over Angel’s shoulder caught his attention and he smiled. He moved forward, gently urging the couple backwards, making it look as if he was just trying to make sure the crowd leaving the building didn’t swallow him up. They talked for another moment then Lorne’s date called his name from somewhere in the mass of people.

“That’s my cue, I’ll see you back at the hotel later today, Angel. It was good seeing you again, Ephanie. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas Lorne, it was good seeing you too.” The elf said.

Lorne smiled then right before he disappeared into the sea of demons again he called out to them. “Hey guys? Look up.”

Angel and Ephanie both turned their heads toward the ceiling.

“What is that?” Ephanie asked staring at the mass of berries and leaves hanging just above them from a length of white ribbon.

“It’s mistletoe.” Angel said with a slight smile. “Tradition says when two people are under it they have to kiss.”

“Oh.” The elf muttered, her pale blue cheeks turning pink.

Angel shrugged. *What the hell.*

He ducked his head slightly. “It is tradition after all.” He whispered before his lips met hers. He had only meant to briefly touch his lips to hers. A swift, chaste, innocent peck. He wasn’t counting on the electricity he felt as their mouths connected or the wave or pure lust that swept over his body. He’d never been affected so much by one kiss. He felt one of Ephanie’s arms slide around his neck and he wrapped his around her waist pulling her to him. All to soon she was jerking away to pull in frantic gulps of air. She looked up into his eyes, her own wide as her free hand came up to touch her lips. Her heart was pounding and Angel could detect the slight hint of arousal coming from her.

“That was…”

“Intense.” He finished for her. She nodded then shook her head as if coming out of a trance.

“Everyone’s gone.” She said pointing to the now empty doorway.

He nodded and they made the walk to his car in silence. Once they were inside the black convertible he broke the quiet.

“When do you have to go back home?”

“I don’t. My Captain said that whenever I want it I can have some downtime because of my part in defeating the beast last month. So if you want me to, I could hang around.”

“I wouldn’t mind the company.” Angel said figuring he could just forget the kiss. It couldn’t lead to anything anyway.

When they arrived back at the hotel Angel led Ephanie to a room upstairs Fred and Cordelia had turned into a living room. They both sat on the couch and Angel turned on the TV, after a few moments of channel surfing they settled on the holiday comedy ‘Scrooged’. Ephanie had never seen it and it always made Angel laugh. As it ended Ephanie moved to stand but then groaned and fell back on the couch.

“My foot’s asleep.” She said as she reached down and began to massage her calf to get the blood flowing.

Unthinkingly Angel dropped to one knee in front of her and brushed her hands away. It shouldn’t have been a big deal, he’d done this a hundred times for Cordy and Buffy, even once for Willow after an excruciatingly long research party. But when he looked up into her eyes it suddenly became a very big deal. Ephanie licked her lips and leaned down cupping one hand to his cheek and guiding his mouth to hers. Ephanie moaned softly into his mouth as their tongues met. Angel got up from the floor and pressed her into the back of the couch. They kissed for what seemed like hours only breaking apart for a few seconds when Ephanie needed to breathe. The kisses became more heated every moment and it wasn’t until Ephanie’s warm hand slipped under his shirt to caress his back that Angel came to his senses. He broke away from her and stood up.

“We need to stop, this is a really bad idea.” Angel said running a shaking hand threw his hair.

He saw confusion then sadness dim her eyes as she ducked her head. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…”

“No, it’s not you.” Angel interrupted. He sat down next to her and titled her chin so he could lon hen her eyes. “If we take things any further, it could get dangerous. I’m cursed Ephanie, if I have one moment of perfect happiness, and I think I could if we were together, I’ll lose my soul.”

“Is that all?” She asked incredulously.

Angel’s jaw dropped. “Do you have any idea what would happen if I lost my soul?”

“No, I didn’t mean that. I meant the curse, I could easily fix that. Elves are masters with soul magick.” He stared at her in silence so she continued. “It would only take a few simple phrases to permanently anchor you soul to your body and Elven soul magick is unbreakable.”

“Are you serious?” He chocked out after a moment.

“Of course. All you have to do is say the word and I can have it done in a matter of seconds.”

Angel leaned forward and claimed her lips in a desperate kiss. After a moment he broke away from her.

“Is that a yes?” She asked panting lightly and bringing a hand up to a flushed cheek.

“Yes.” He said nodding frantically.

She smiled and took his hand. Their eyes caught and held as she began to chant in a language Angel didn’t recognize. A few seconds later Angel felt something click inside himself. It was like a puzzle piece falling into place and he could feel his demon rage violently against his cage one last time before the beast within him fell silent for the first time since he had been cursed. He closed his eyes as a sense of total peace drifted over his being. He opened eye eyes as Ephanie’s fingertips ran down his cheek.

“It worked, I felt it.” He said.

“Me too.” She said softly. “Your soul’s not going anywhere.”

Angel stood and pulled Ephanie to her feet. He lifted her off the ground and spun around until her tinkling laughter filled the room. Then he drew her close and hugged her tight.

“Thank you.” He whispered as he kissed her hair and placed her back on her feet.

“Your welcome.” She said with a smile. One of her hands rose and she traced his bottom lip with her thumb.

“Are you sure about this?” He asked as he toyed with a raven ringlet.

“What kind of mage would I be if I didn’t test my spells.” She murmured causing Angel to chuckle.

She leaned forward and nuzzled his cheek with her own and Angel pulled her against him again. Her lips went to his jaw and her fingers worked on the buttons of his shirt as he gently tugged down the thin straps of her dress and pushed it down her lithe form. Angel gave an appreciative growl when he saw see wore nothing beneath it. Ephanie pushed the shirt off his shoulders then moaned as his hands skimmed over her now bare skin. Her mouth dropped to his chest and her hands went to his belt, quickly undoing it then moving to the button and zipper of his pants. Angel pulled her head up and kissed her again as she pushed his slacks down his hips. He’d taken off his shoes earlier so he easily stepped out of them when they pooled at his feet. Ephanie whimpered when she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and their naked bodies connected. She pushed him backwards gently until his legs hit the wide couch, another light shove had him sitting down and she climbed onto his lap. Angel’s hand slid down her stomach then into her heat. He traced her outer lips then dipped a finger inside burying it within her, eliciting a high pitched keen from the elf. He pumped his finger in and out of her for a moment before adding another then Ephanie began to move, throwing her head back as she rode his hand. His thumb brushed her clit and she tightened around his fingers, calling out his name as she came. When he pulled his hand away from her she whimpered pathetically and Angel couldn’t help but laugh. He lifted her slightly then turned and laid her down. He took a minute to look at her, examining her body in a way he couldn’t earlier. Her breasts were small but perfectly shaped and firm, her stomach was flat and toned, his eyes traveled over beautifully rounded hips then down long trim legs.

“Angel.” Ephanie moaned, bringing his hot gaze back up to her face. She stuck out her lower lip and crocked a finger at him.

He laughed again and crawled up her body, stopping here and there to kiss or nip a bit of her skin. When they were face to face Ephanie caught his lips with hers and one of her hands snaked between their bodies. She stroked his erection for a moment then guided it to her entrance. He complied with her silent demand and entered her in one hard stroke. Her legs wrapped around his waist as he began slow yet harsh rhythm, his pubic bone grinding into her clit on each down stroke. Angel broke away from her lips and trailed icy hot kisses down her neck, pausing for a moment to suckle her jugular vein then tracing one of the vines of her tattoo with his tongue then his mouth moved down to her breast and she gasped as he took an already hard nipple into his mouth, sucking lightly and rolling it with his tongue. Ephanie slid her hands down his back to his ass, urging him to speed up. When he did the continuous moans that had been coming from the raven haired elf increased in volume and she dragged her nails up his back then dug them into his shoulders. Angel groaned when her inner walls tightened around his shaft and she screamed her release. Three more fast strokes and he joined her in oblivion. He collapsed on top of her for a moment then tried to move so he wouldn’t crush her but Ephanie’s arms tightened around his back.

“No, stay right there.” She murmured, burying her face in his neck.

He thought about trying to move again then dismissed it. If he was hurting her he knew she’d say something. He was just beginning to drift to sleep was Ephanie lifted her head and kissed his cheek.

“Merry Christmas, Angel.” She whispered.

Angel opened his eyes and smiled at her. For the first time in almost a century it truly was.

“Merry Christmas to you too, Ephanie. Merry Christmas to you too.”


The End


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