The Forgotten Lovers

Chapter 4 of TFL

*Four Years Later, May 1, 2002*

Ashley, Yelsin and I were walking down the streets of Sunnydale after four long years of traveling between Chicago, New York and South Carilorn were we all attended college before deciding it was time to return to the place we last saw them. My mother, who basically raised Ashley, Yelsin and myself, after the death of my Watcher, passed away a few weeks ago leaving us with no really family and a really big house that we had no way of paying for. So when Aunt Joyce arrived she told us to pack our things because we were moving in with her. We did that…and that is why we have been walking down Main Street around three in the afternoon as I thought back to what has changed in the past few years.
I was in the house no more then two minutes to find out that Buffy and Giles was getting married. Danielle: So when were you going to tell me sugar daddy? Giles smiled and pulled me into a hug. Giles: It’s good to see you again sweetheart. I smiled and moved away from him. Danielle: So what have I missed and no abridge version I want all the details. Buffy smiled and told us that we would be she was marring Giles and that she would like us to be a part of the wedding.
She pulled me aside as the others talked in the living room. Buffy: I was wondering if it would be alright that if Willow be my Maid of Honor. I smiled and hugged her. Danielle: I’m fine with it just tell me that you’re not making us wear somethin seriously ugly. Buffy: I can’t tell you. Ashley: Why not? Buffy looked at us and smiled. Buffy: It’s a surprise. Danielle: I figured you would say that.
About two months passed by and we had official moved in…well I was unpacked enough that I could find my way around my room that used to be Buffy’s room because she had moved in with Giles a few months before after moving out of the dorm seeing that she spent little time there anyway. Ashley, Yelsin and I took a walk down town to see Buffy and the others at the Magic Box. Ashley: So what do we do now that we’re back? Danielle: Well we’ll be bridesmaids while Yelsin is a groomsman. Yelsin: I think she meant something else. I looked up and huffed. Danielle: You know this would be a lot easier if we were not standing under the sign of the place were we last saw them. Yelsin: Stop side tracking missy.
I started to walk down the street. Danielle: They left us. Ashley: Not before we left them. I smirked at her as she caught up with me. Danielle: All we can do is move on. Yelsin: The thing is we found them and they can find us again like last time. I looked at him as I crossed my arms over my chest. Danielle: Thanks Yelsin for damaging all hope I have for a normal life. Yelsin: It’s what I do. With a sigh we walked away from the club unaware that people where following us. Ashley: I have no idea but I say we party and worry about that later. Danielle: Right now I am entitled to agree with you.
Later that night I was standing in front of my cousin’s old mirror checking my appearance. This time I wore a black skirt with my black boots with a cream colored halter top. My hair was finally long enough so that the longest layer reached the middle of my back even when it’s curled. I was about to adjust my necklace when someone knocked on the door. Danielle: Come in.
I heard the door open and close. I turned around and noticed that Ashley was wearing a pair of black leather pants, boots and a red halter. Like me she let her hair grow until it reached the middle of her back. Ashley: Ready? I looked at her and slumped onto my bed. Danielle: No. Can we just say that were sick and do this tomorrow? She sat down beside me and shook her head no. Ashley: He won’t be there tonight…unless you want him to be there. I can find him with a spell and in an instant he would be there. I looked up at her and frowned. Danielle: Great use my mind against me and no spells. She giggled and lay down next to me. Ashley: Sorry. I looked at the ceiling. Danielle: Do you think they’ll ever leave us alone? Ashley: We can hope but we’ll never know for sure? I took a deep breath and looked in the mirror.
Looking back at myself I realized that I was no longer the girl he met four years ago instead I was a young woman that finally grew into her damn curves. After Kyle’s death two years ago I trained more allowing me to keep the body I had grown into. I looked at Ashley and found that she was smiling at me. Danielle: What are you thinking about you? Ashley: Why did you call Giles “sugar daddy”? I broke into a laugh. Danielle: It’s just something I love to tease him with. Come on we seriously need to party. I stood and held out my hand to her. She took it and stood. Ashley: About time. We walked downstairs holding hands and laughing.
Danielle: So do you think we made Yelsin wait long enough? She glanced at me and smiled before looking around the wall to see Yelsin pacing in the living room while Giles checked his watch for the second time since we’ve started to watch them. She turned and looked at me. Ashley: I think we can walk a bit slower just to make sure he gets even more annoyed. Danielle: We are so bad. Ashley: I know.
We just walked into the room when Yelsin stopped. Yelsin: Finally we can leave. What took you two so long? I rolled my eyes and looked at him. Danielle: That argument did not work last night and it will not work tonight mister. Ashley: Besides this time we were slowly coming down stairs because we knew it would bother you to the ends of the earth if we were late again. He looked at the both of us and watched us smile. Yelsin: Do you two plan these things? Buffy: Every girl does it. Giles: I would have to agree with them but like you have pointed out we need to be leaving if we wish to meet the others on time. I watched him move Buffy toward the door.
Danielle: I think I liked you better when you were just British, now that Buffy has Americanized you I don’t like you so much. He frowned at me as Buffy giggled. Giles: Who was the one that called who sugar daddy? I looked at him appalled. Danielle: I did no such thing and you can’t prove it. Yelsin: Damn then you don’t want to see the pictures I took of you two then. I looked at him mortified. Danielle: Yelsin! Ashley: Maybe we can find another guy to be the old British guy. Buffy shook her head and held onto Giles tighter. Buffy: Nope the last one left after we blew up the high school and I personally don’t want him to come back. Come on sugar daddy. Danielle: Hey you stole my nickname for him. Yelsin: Then you admit to calling him that. Danielle: I…Fine whatever I called him that. They laughed as we walked to the car.
They kissed as we stood outside the car waiting for someone to open the door. Danielle: I think I’ve been scared for life. Ashley: Want to talk about being scared missy. The way you jumped on Giles the last time we where here hasn’t left my mind. Yelsin: Thank you Ashley I really needed to be reminded. Ashley: No problem. I sighed and looked at Giles: Danielle: Just watch the PDA alright…dad? He raised an eyebrow at me before smiling. Danielle: Some of us don’t have someone to do that with. Yelsin opened the back door laughing to himself as I followed Ashley inside.
Buffy shot me a look. Danielle: Don’t try me missy, I may not have Slayer powers but I can still take you. Buffy: Whatever. I sat in the back seat with Ashley and Yelsin. Danielle: I seem to remember that someone is ticklish behind her right elbow. She turned and looked at me. Buffy: You wouldn’t. I smiled and sat back in my seat as she looked at me. Danielle: I would. So don’t push me missy. She pouted and leaned back into her seat. Giles: Really, I would have to try it some time. Yelsin leaned forward and waved his hand in front of Giles’s face. Yelsin: Earth to Giles we need to be going remember party time. Giles: Oh right…sorry I forgot. He started the car and pulled away. Buffy: You’re just evil. Danielle: Damn skippy!
We got to the Bronze and before we could even make it to the table Giles and Buffy were out on the dance floor. Ashley, Yelsin and I sat down and talked with Xander, Willow, Cordelia and Oz. Xander: So as the best man I want to say I refuse to wear a kilt. Willow sighed and looked at him. Willow: Xander, only Scottish and Irish communities wear kilts. I took a sip of my drink before answering him. Danielle: Actually it depends on where a person was raised. But if I remember correctly Giles said he grew up near London so you’re off the hook Xander. Though I do like the idea of seeing you in a skirt? He blushed and took a sip of his drink.
I smiled to myself as Willow asked us a question. Willow: So have you two seen the dresses yet? Ashley and I shook our heads. I glanced at my cousin and Giles as they danced. Danielle: She said it was a surprise. Please tell me it in no way resembles a mermaid. Willow: We’re in the clear. I sighed and looked at my drink to find it empty. Danielle: I’m going to get another drink, does anyone want one? They said no. Danielle: Alright but don’t say I didn’t warn you. I stood and weaved my through the crowd to the bar.
Danielle: Can I have a beer please? Bartender: Id please. I raised an eyebrow at him as I pulled out my Id and gave it to him. He looked at it for a few minutes and gave it back to me. Bartender: Thanks…I’ll be back to with your beer. I nodded as he walked away. Danielle: Jerk, at lease my fake still works. I took a deep breath before turning around and listening to the music until I heard “Well look at what I spy with my little eye.” I turned toward the voice and saw him. Danielle: Angelus?...I thought I told Ashley no spells!
He moved closer to me and before I could stop him he wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me closer to him. Angelus: Hello my dear. He lifted my chin forcing me to look into his eyes. Angelus: I see that you have not forgotten about me. I glanced at Buffy and noticed that she wasn’t paying any attention to me instead she was dancing with Giles still. Angelus: She can’t help you now. I took a deep breath and looked at Giles before looking back at him as Angelus moved a piece of hair behind my ear. Danielle: What do you want? I tried to pull myself out of his arms but he held me tight. Danielle: I thought we made ourselves clear that we wanted nothing to do with you after what you did to us in South Carolina.

*Flashback*

Ashley and Yelsin were visiting me and we decided to check out a local club. So we walked in and found them sitting there. Angelus was the first to notice us and walked over to me. Angelus: Hello lass. I looked up and to find a pair of chocolate brown eyes looking back at me. Danielle: What are you doing here? Drusilla walked over and pulled me into a hug. Drusilla: Mummy it’s so good to see you again. Danielle: Hello Dru. I gave her a quick hug as someone wrapped their arms around Ashley causing her to jump in surprise. Yelsin: Spike leave her alone. He pulled Ashley away and we walked toward the back of the club. Angelus reached out to me but I moved away. Angelus: Danielle…Danielle: Go home Angelus and leave us alone.
Well they didn’t listen and when a drunken friend started to hit on Ashley and I they attacked. I stood there as Angelus and Spike beat on my friend Marcus. Danielle: This is why I don’t want to see you again. I turned and left. Ashley: When are you going to grow up Spike? She left with Yelsin close behind. The next day I transferred back to Chicago and we haven’t seen them since.

*Flash-forward*

Danielle: I’m assuming Dru and Spike are here as well. He smiled as he whispered it into my ear. Angelus: They’re waiting in the balcony. I looked up and noticed that they where watching my friends as they talked with the others at our table. Angelus: I’ve missed you. He moved to kiss my neck but I pulled myself out of his arms and glared at him. Danielle: What are you doing? I glared at him as I crossed my arms over my chest. Angelus: Not this bit again? I raised an eyebrow at him. Angelus: Sorry I just wanted to touch you siog. Danielle: Well down boy. If you haven’t noticed I’m here with my cousin and if she sees you she will like seriously kick your ass and no matter how temping that is I don’t want to watch. He made a face at me before glancing at her and Giles dancing.
Angelus: I heard that she and the Watcher are getting married. Good for her maybe you can meet me tonight and we can…I rolled my eyes and hit him in the gut. Danielle: No Angelus. I turned my back on him as the bartender walked over. Angelus rested his hand on the small of my back as the bartender handed me my drink. Bartender: Here ya go miss. I took my beer and looked at Angelus over my shoulder. Danielle: Sorry but I have to keep up appearances. With one last glance at him I walked away leaving him there as I shouted at him. Danielle: Why don’t you find some other girl to toy with cause I’m not in the mood?
I was almost near the table when I felt someone grab my arm and turn me around causing me to drop my beer. I looked up and noticed that Angelus was not a happy camper. Angelus: What about what I need? Have you even told her about us? I looked around and noticed that people stopped what they were doing as they watched us. Danielle: You’re making a scene. Angelus: I don’t care, what about me? What do I get out of this agreement? I followed you around for four years and I watched boy after boy come on to you. I smiled a wicked smile at him as his hands tighten around my arms holding me in place unaware that he was causing bruises.
Danielle: How does it feel? His face harden toward me as he thought about the last four years as I got up in his face. Danielle: I watched you and her for more than a century together. What about the others? I moved closer to him, standing on my toes as I whispered into his ear so only he could hear me. Danielle: The ones you played with so you could watch them scream until they had enough. I knew there were tears in my eyes as I moved away to look him in the face. Danielle: I hate that it has to be this way. He pulled me into his arms and made comforting circles on my back as I laid my head on his chest as I cried.
Danielle: I hated her for taking you away. I hate Buffy for taking you away too. Angelus: I’m right here lass. I looked up and touched his face as he pulled me closer to his body so I could feel him against my thigh. Danielle: You say that you are but you’re still so far away from me that it still feels like I’m living in a dream. I laid my head on his chest as he just held me. Danielle: I try not to but I can’t stop loving you. He swooped down and kissed me.
When we parted I laid my head back on his chest and relaxed into his arms. Angelus: I love you no matter what you choose. I nodded against his chest as I tighten my grip on his shirt as if someone might take him away from me. Danielle: I hate that we have to wait. Angelus: Why we can go back to the mansion right now and she won’t even know you’re gone. I looked up at him and frowned. Danielle: Hello my cousin is the Slayer or do you not remember that. Angelus: Sadly I do. He moved to kiss me again. Angelus: I love it when you’re angry siog. I smiled and moved to kiss him when I heard. “Leave her alone Angelus.”
I opened my eyes to see him hit the wall and slide down it. Buffy: What about me? Do you love it when I’m angry? Danielle: What the hell? I turned and found Buffy standing beside me. Danielle: Buffy what are you doing? She walked in front of me as Xander pulled me close. Xander: Are you alright Danielle? I looked at him and at my cousin who was advancing on the man I loved. Danielle: Buffy! Stop! I pushed away from Xander and ran to her. I grabbed her arm and turned her around.
Danielle: Buffy please not here. It was stupid just leave him alone. Buffy: He was going to kill you. I couldn’t stop the tears as I watched Angelus pull himself up off the ground with help from Spike and Dru. Danielle: Buffy stop and listen to me for a minute. Buffy: No I refuse to see him hurt you so he could get to me. Just stay by Xander as I take care of him. She moved to hit him when I reached for her. Danielle: Stop, people are watching! She turned and looked at me.
Angelus: I wouldn’t kill her and you know it Slayer. He looked at me and his face softened. Angelus: I think it’s time you’ve came clean lass. I nodded as he walked over to me and kissed me before moving away. Angelus: I’ll be waiting when you’re ready. Same place as last time. I looked up at him and whispered to him as tears ran down my face. Danielle: I love you. He bent down and smirked at Buffy. Angelus: I love you too mo siog. I nodded and watched them leave after Spike and Dru said goodbye to Yelsin and Ashley. Buffy looked at us each in turn. Buffy: What the hell is going on? Ashley walked over to me and touched my hand. Yelsin: Guys, um we have somethings to tell you.
Buffy: Damn straight you do. Willow: Buffy relax. Giles: I believe Willow is right dear you should relax before you do something you might regret. Danielle: I’m sorry but there was no way to tell you without hurting you. Buffy: That you’re what sleeping with Angelus? My eyes widen at her accusation. Danielle: I am not sleeping with him but I do…Buffy: Don’t say it! He’s using you to get to me. I looked at her in complete shock. Yelsin: They want nothing to do with you. She looked at him in anger. Buffy: He doesn’t have a soul therefore he can not love you. He wants to kill you nothing more. You’re just a snack to him and I refuse to let you do anything stupid. Danielle: It’s not like that! She turned and slapped me. I turned my head and looked at her as I held my face in my hand. Buffy: He will kill you just to get to me.
Danielle: Why do you think it’s always about you? I looked at her with a bruise forming on my cheek. Danielle: He didn’t hurt me the last time I saw him and he won’t do it now. Buffy walked up to me and took a hold of my arm showing me the bruise that was forming there. Buffy: He hurt you tonight and you want to stand here and tell me why I can’t kill him. I pulled away from her. Danielle: I allowed it to happen… She frowned at me.
Buffy: You are nothing more then a snack to him. Danielle: You can’t protect me forever. One of us will die and there is nothing you can do about it. I’m not a baby anymore and I don’t need your protection. Ashley placed her hand on my shoulder. Ashley: I think we should go home where we won’t be over heard. Willow: I think your right. She took a hold of Buffy’s hand and led her outside. The others nodded and followed us out.