A Life to Remember

PART 5


Willow turned in shock at the new comers loud exclamation. Wanting nothing more for the ground to open up and swallow her, she took a deep breath.

"Jeez Xander! Don't you know how to knock?" Willow asked, moving to stand by Angel.

"No! And I'm glad I don't! Who knows what could be happening behind closed, locked doors!" Xander asked with a horrified look on his face.

"And don't you think they're closed and locked for a reason Xander?!" Willow asked, irritated at her friend.

Xander stared at her with an open mouth.

"Willow?"

Willow glared at Xander one last time for good measure before turning to her other best friend. Seeing the blonde with tears in her eyes tore at Willow's heart.

"Buffy…" Willow started, making a move toward her.

"Are…I mean…you and A-Angel are…together?" Buffy asked.

"I-I…Buffy I'm sor…"

"Are you?" Buffy cut in, holding her hand up.

"Y-yes."

Buffy nodded stiffly, looking at Willow and then Angel. It wasn't hard to see that the two were in love. She knew it was only a matter of time before the two figured that out for themselves. She also knew she didn't love Angel anymore. Of course there would always be a place in her heart for him. He was after all her first love. But she'd had a lot of time to think and she knew that while they had been in love at the time it just wasn't the case anymore. She felt too much guilt about the whole situation. So in true Buffy fashion she clenched her jaw and swallowed hard before looking back at the couple, who had inched closer together.

"I hope you guys are happy together." Buffy said tearfully before walking out.

"What?!" Xander screeched.

"C'mon Xand."

"B-But Buffy…" Xander started in confusion. Was this really happening?

"No! Xander come with me now! Just leave them alone. It's none of your business."
Buffy said, trying to urge him out with her.

"She's my best friend!"

"So! She's mine too. Just…just leave it be. Let them be happy."

Turning to the couple who had followed them into the living room she smiled slightly.

"See you guys at the library tomorrow? Giles will still want to hear about the demon that attacked you."

"S-Sure." Willow answered.

"Angel?"

"We'll be there."

"Great." Buffy said, opening the door. "See you then."

Xander put his hand against the door and slammed it shut. "Wait a minute! I, being the only sane person here…"

"That's debatable." Angel cut in softly.

Glaring at the vampire, Xander continued. "Being the only sane person here I have a lot to say about this."

"And yet nobody cares…" Buffy retorted.

"Buff…"

"No…Xander you have exactly two seconds to walk out that door with me or so help me I'll throw you out."

"But…"

"Xander don't make me slay you."

Scowling, Xander snatched open the door and stormed out. This whole thing was wrong, so wrong. He couldn't believe this. Had he stepped into the twilight zone? This couldn't be real, could it?

Buffy grinned at them before heading out. Just before she closed the door she stopped and turned back around. She knew what she said now would have a big impact on their relationship from now on. So Buffy smiled slightly and looked between them.

"I really meant it you guys. I want you to be happy together. I mean I know it won't be easy at first, at least for me, but I'll get over it. And I'm getting over my guilt. I'm getting better. And I really want us to be friends." Buffy said looking at Angel.

He nodded and she smiled.

"Well, I'll see you guys tomorrow then." Buffy said, closing the door softly.

The couple stood there for a few moments watching the closed door. Willow, half expecting it to slam open again as reality set into her friend. She dreaded that. She wanted to believe that Buffy was ok with it all. But it just didn't seem likely. Angel had been her first love. Her only love in fact. If Willow had lost him to another woman she knew she wouldn't be able to get over it, let alone be friendly toward the other woman.

"Did that just happen?" Angel asked, turning to his love.

"I think so."

"I knew Xander would take it bad. I expected it really. Buffy, on the other hand…I expected tears, threats, maybe even some violence." Angel said, pulling her into his arms.

"It might still happen." Willow said, looking up helpfully.

Angel pulled back slightly and looked into her eyes. Seeing his questioning look she sighed and broke away to walk over to the couch.

Sitting down she continued. "I'm just not sure it's over yet. I don't think she realizes what's going on yet. And I'm afraid when she does it's not going to be pretty."

"Oh Willow…I actually think it might be. She was right when she said it won't be easy. We still haven't spoken about it and while she might be getting over her guilt, until we settle things between us she'll still be holding onto a little bit of it. She'll never get over it fully. But she's trying. And in order for her to get over it completely she and I will have to work it all out," Angel said, tucking a lose piece of hair behind her ear.

"But you don't have to worry. She doesn't love me anymore. Although I'm sure she holds a place for me in her heart, like I do for her. But I know we're not in love anymore Willow. There's nothing for you to worry about." Angel reassured her, taking her hand in his.

"I-I'm not…" Willow stuttered, looking away.

"Willow, I know you. I know how that beautiful mind of yours works. I promise everything will be ok. You have nothing to worry about. Buffy really is ok with this and she'll probably help the others get through it." Angel said, stroking her cheek with his thumb.

Willow smiled and leaned into him. Bringing his hands to a rest on her back, Angel gently pulled her toward him and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Willow sighed softly against his lips and settled against him for some much needed comfort and smoochies.

**Part 6**

Buffy and Xander walked into her house silently. She could tell he was still mad at her for not objecting to Willow and Angel’s relationship, but frankly she didn’t care. It wasn’t really his business to get mad like that. Sure they were friends but that didn’t give him the right to act the way he had. If she didn’t know any better she would think he was jealous. But she knew that wasn’t the case, he hated Angel more than any one else. She really hoped he got over it soon though. She was sure this would ruin his and Willow’s friendship.

“I don’t understand how she can be with him. And I don’t understand why you’re ok with it!” Xander said, throwing himself onto the couch.

Buffy sat down next to him and took his hand. “ Xand…I really do understand where you’re coming from. But if you want to stay friends with Willow you’ll have to get over this. She is so in love with him I know it seems sudden but it really isn’t. I promise he won’t hurt her and he’s probably the best thing for her right now. His soul is permanent so there is nothing to worry about.”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?”

“It’s just she’s my little buddy. She shouldn’t be shacking it up with the undead. It was bad enough when you were doing it. I thought she would find a nice normal guy who could give her every thing she could ever want and be good to her, be there for her like her parents weren’t. I didn’t want her to become his plaything.”

“Is that what I am?”

“No!” Xander exclaimed with a horrified look on his face.

“Well then don’t think it about her! And don’t ever let Willow hear you say it. Not only will she kill you, but if by some chance you live, Angel will finish you off.”

“Yea I’d like to see him try.”

“Xander stop ok. Just get over it.”

“Ok Ok. “

"Good.”

Xander gave his little half smile and got up. “Well I guess I’ll be off then. I’ll call you in the morning.”

“I’ll do a quick sweep now and head to bed.” Buffy said, following him out.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Buffy sighed as she wiped the dust off her new shirt. She really hated this job sometimes. It never got any easier. She was going to be going to college next year. There was no way she could keep up her slaying and studies. It was hard enough now. Not to mention they would have to relocate bases. The high school library was fine while they were in high school. But there was no way Snyder would let college freshmen hangout there. He already had it in for them.

Buffy stopped suddenly. Straining her ears to hear the slight noise she thought she might have heard, she started off to the left. Carefully making her way over to the old abandoned crypt she started behind it, Mr. Pointy raised at a careful level. Upon turning the corner she just managed she keep her surprised gasp in. Five camouflaged beings were spread out over the small clearing and had two vampires laid out on the ground. Three of the goons looked to be checking the vamps out and the other two keeping a look out and doing something with some kind of gadget that looked like a game-boy. Not entirely sure as to what to do Buffy decided to watch a little more. Just then one of the vamps started to move.

Buffy gasped as a commando, as she came to decide they were, shot him with a taser gun. The vamp’s body jumped with the shock a few times before coming to rest on the ground. One of the commandos looked toward where she was standing and she tried to fade back into the shadows. Unfortunately a fledgling decided he wanted to fight so Buffy had no other choice but to defend herself and give up her hiding place. The fight had drawn the attention of the commandos and they were now running over to investigate.
She had just dusted the vamp when they came up to her, guns raised.

Riley Finn stared at the beautiful girl in front of him. His censers indicated she was a human so as he knew she wasn’t a hostile, well at least not a vampire. He was sure she was human though. She was just so beautiful. She must have been one of the vamps intended meals. Giving his men the signal to stand down he moved to greet her. Seeing her eyes widen in what he assumed was fear he put his hands up in what he hoped was a friendly, non-threatening gesture.

Buffy took a step back from who she assumed was the leader as he advanced. When he brought his hands up in front of him she couldn’t help but think he looked a bit ridiculous after just having tagged two vamps. Normally she would have just attacked but these guys were obviously human and it just wasn’t in her to fight humans. Besides that she needed to find out as much as she could to tell Giles.

Riley watched as the girl’s eyes darted around. She seemed to be thinking of a way to get out of here. Not that he blamed her. Being in the cemetery can really take a lot out of a person. Being from Iowa, the farm bread boy had no business in graveyards. The closest he’d been to one in years after his grandfather died had been passing by on the way to church every Sunday. If this was the way he felt he couldn’t even imagine how she felt. So he nodded to her, motioning for her to be on her way. He knew he’d hear holy hell about it but at this point he didn’t care. They had bagged two Hostiles and tagged another. The other teams had done just as well. Walsh would be happy so he hopefully would get to sleep before listening to her complain.

Buffy watched in shock as the leader nodded at her to leave. He couldn’t really mean it. She was sure she would have to fight her way out. Oh well. She wasn’t about to ask questions now. She always knew that saying was correct. Act now ask later. Buffy decided that was now her new philosophy. After taking another look behind her, Buffy took off running.

Forest threw his mask to the ground and opened his mouth to start in on Riley just as he started giving orders.

“Jackson, follow her, I want to know where she goes, what she does and who she talks to. If she starts asking questions or telling people about what she saw, bring her in. Miller and Gates we’re bringing the hostiles back to the compound. Johnson secure the area and report back to me.”

Chapter 7


Buffy threw open the doors to the library and tossed her stuff on the checkout counter. Looking at the group gathered there she sighed. This would be fun.

“Ok so patrol was very fruitful last night. After I walked Xander home, I went by the cemetery and staked a vamp. No biggie there. Then I hear this noise right so I go around this really old looking crypt and I see five commandos. They had guns and I’m guessing some kind of tracking device. They also had two vamps laid out on the ground and when one started to come to one of the commandos shot him with a taser. Now I don’t mind the help. Trust me I really don’t, but these guys weren’t just killing, I think they were taking the vamps somewhere. Although don’t ask me where, or why for that matter.” Buffy said.

“Ok, but these could be good guys right?” Willow asked from her position at the table next to Angel.

“Well they let me go. The leader-looking guy stopped the others from shooting me, although I’m not sure they were going to, but he stopped them, and then let me go. So in my book he’s good. But we still have to check them out because I don’t know what they’re doing with the vamps they take in, if they really are taking them. So right now I think the plan should be to find out as much as we can about them and go from there.”

“Great who’s up for some breakfast?” Xander asked, clapping his hands together.

“Mmmm I could use some.” Willow said, putting a hand over her stomach.

“Buff, G-man, Deadboy? What’dya say we go to the diner and get some food?” Xander asked, standing.

Everyone looked at him in shock. Had he really just invited Angel to get breakfast with them? Maybe he was going to be ok with this after all.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Riley quickly made his way into Walsh’s office. He’d expected this. At least he’d gotten to sleep before she bitched at him. Well he got about three hours anyway. He just couldn’t get that girl out of his head. She was so beautiful. He’d only been in Sunnydale for a year and a half and this was only the second girl he was interested in. He wished he could have met her under normal circumstances.

“Ahh yes, I understand your patrol was successful Agent Finn.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Now what’s this about a civilian? A civilian you let get away, oh no my mistake…” Walsh said, looking at some papers. “ A civilian you told to...go home?”

“The girl was away from the hostiles. I wasn’t sure if she was even there because of them ma’am.”

“And what, Agent Finn do you think a girl would be doing in a cemetery in the middle of the night if it had nothing to do with vampires?” Maggie Walsh asked, pointedly.

“I’m not sure…”

“Your not sure…well you going to be sure. You, Agent Miller, and Agent Gates are going undercover. I want full reports everyday about her. There is something going on here and I want to know what it is.” Maggie Walsh said, looking at a file in her hand.

“Yes ma’am.”

“Good. Now you will continue your normal everyday duties. I don’t want your normal lives to be affected by this, but I do expect that anytime you would be here at the Initiative you be with her or around her.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Good, now go inform your team.”

With a curt nod Riley exited the office.

*Not affect our normal lives! What is she out of her mind? If we get to know this girl it’ll do nothing but affect our normal lives! I swear sometimes I wonder why I agreed to this.*

Riley entered his dorm room and slammed the door. Throwing himself onto his bed he picked up a small foam ball and threw it at the net hanging on the door. Missing the shot he got up to get the ball and stopped short as the door opened.

“Walsh said you were gonna debrief us.” Forrest said, laying back on Riley’s bed.

“Yea, I just needed a minute to cool off. That woman is outta her mind sometimes.”

“Yea, so what happened?” Forrest asked, sharing a look with Graham.

“She wants us undercover. The girl I let go last night is worrying her. She wants us to follow her. Instead of going to the Initiative we’re to be spending time with her or be around her. She wants full reports everyday.”

“Oh wonderful.” Graham groaned.

“Exactly.”

Willow and Buffy sat in a booth quietly sipping at their orange juices. Xander was in the bathroom and Angel hadn’t come, claiming there were no tunnels to the diner. The threesome really hadn’t minded that much, wanting to spend time together. Just then the door to the diner opened and Buffy gasped.

“What?” Willow asked, looking around.

“Wills do you see those guys that just walked in?”

Turning around so she could see whom the blonde was talking about, Willow nodded. “Yea?”

“Well the tall blonde one is looking really good right now. And oh my god is he coming over here?”

“Looks like.”

“How’s my hair?”

“You look great Buffy.”

“Excuse me ladies, do you mind if we join you?” Riley asked.

“Wel…” Willow started, only to be cut off by Buffy.

“No…go ahead.” Buffy said, sliding over to make more room.

Buffy smiled slightly as the tall blonde sat next to her on the one side and his friends filed in next to Willow.

“I’m Riley Finn, this is Graham Miller and Forrest Gates.”

“I’m Buffy Summers and this is Willow Rosenberg.”

“So are you girls in college?”

“Oh no we’re seniors in high school. Next year though!” Buffy smiled.

“Oh, well that’s cool.” Graham retorted, mentally taking notes.

Buffy smiled at Riley and started her own conversation with him. She didn’t know what it was about him that attracted her so much but she couldn’t seem to draw her attention away from him.

The group was drawn out of their conversations as someone cleared their throat. The men looked at the other man in confusion hoping this was not one of the girl’s boyfriends and he was about to start a scene.

“Umm so I was only gone a few minutes.”

“It’s ok Xander. This is Riley, Graham, and Forrest. They go to UC Sunnydale.”

“Oh.”

“Well, we actually have to be going soon anyway. We just came in to get a quick breakfast to go.” Riley said, starting to get up.

“Yea, we have that meeting in about an hour.” Graham said, looking at his watch, while following Riley’s lead.

“Oh well ok.” Buffy said, disappointed.

“Listen can I um…can I have your number?” Riley asked hesitantly, looking at the group around the table.

“Ugh sure.” Buffy smiled, reaching into her purse for a pen. Quickly jotting down her number she handed it over and received a promise that he would call her later. As the door closed Buffy waited a second incase one of them happened to come back in before squealing in happiness. Jumping up and down in her seat she looked back and forth between her best friends.

“Tell me he wasn’t the cutest thing you ever saw!”

“One of the cutest.” Willow said, cutting into her French toast.

“Oh come on Wills. He was charming.”

“He was. I just thought it was a little weird how they came in looked right at us and came over. Not to mention left right after that.”

“Wills…C’mon…Your ruining it for me. Now I’m gonna think he has some ulterior motive or something. He’s not a vamp! I can be thankful for that at least.” Buffy whined.

“That’s always a plus in my book.” Xander said, earning a glare from the girls.