Forever

Summery: Buffy and Angel are married, although he's in jail.
She goes to tell him that she wants a divorce, but he says something to her
and she decides to not divorce him. But, what he says to her, will change her
life forever.

Author Notes: The reasoning for Angel being in jail will b re revealed in an upcoming chapter.

 

Forever

 

 

“Get up you bastard!” The guard barked at him, “You have
a visitor.”

Angel lifted his head from the cot to take a better look at the smirking guard.

“It’s your wife.”

Angel nodded as he sat up. He glanced at a picture of Buffy taped up on the
dirty wall. His Buffy. No matter how hard it was in prison, he always had Buffy
to look forward to when he got out. He swore to himself that he would make things
right and give her the life she deserved. He desperately wanted to make her
happy, but knew that it was a lost cause while he was stuck within these four
walls.

“Hurry it up, we haven’t got all day.”

Angel didn’t say a word as he followed the guard to the visitor station.
He stopped in his tracks when he saw her. The brown hair threw him off but then
he saw her wide green eyes looking up at him. Her pouty lips tha wou would give
anything to kiss. He slowly raked his eyes over her until he saw her left hand.

She wasn’t wearing his ring.

She must have noticed where he was looking and placed her hand in her lap,
taking a deep breath in the process. Angel sat down and picked up the phone,
nodding his head for her to do so as well. She did, clearing her throat to find
her voice and looked at him.

“Buffy …” Angel’s voice was so soft, like he was dead
inside. So many things he wanted to tell her, ask her. Especially now that she
wasn’t wearing his wedding band. “Why aren’t you wearing my
ring?” he asked.

Buffy had tears in her eyes already. She knew this was going to be hard. Not
just for him, but for her as well. She never imagined this day to come where
she would walk away from him. The love of her life. The man she’d sworn
to always love and cherish through everything. And now that day was here. She
felt ashamed.

“It’s so hard without you, Angel. It’s been two years and
I can’t go on like this.” She started playing with the phone wire
out of nervousness. She had already seen a lawyer to draw up divorce papers.

“Baby, please, when I get out things are going to be different.”
Angel tried to reason with her. “Are you seeing someone else?”

“Oh, God no Angel. No one. I just, need this time for me …”
She started to plead with him until her cut her off.

“You have time, Buffy. I can’t do much while I’m in here.
I’d say you’ve had a lot of time.” Angel closed his eyes,
stopping himself because he knew he was getting angry and he didn’t want
to do anything irrational.

“Things were already rough before you came here, Angel, you can’t
say that it wasn’t. Now, I’m not the same girl you fell in love
with. I’ve changed.”

“What do you mean? Buffy, you are the same woman. Well, except for the
hair.” He pointed out. He always loved her hair. So soft and silky. And
blonde like the sunshine. Happy days, days that he was looking forward to when
he could touch her again.

“I have needs and with you being here …” She trailed off
her words and had the decency to look down. They had always had an active sex
life, even when they were fighting. Sometimes, the sex was better when they
were in an argument. Buffy let a tear fall and wiped it away with her hand.
She knew it was selfish of her, but she couldn’t let herself cheat on
him. She loved him too much for that.

“Sex?” Angel sighed and covered his face with his hand. Buffy was
a passionate woman and he figured that she was seeing other guys while he was
in there. He tried not to think about it, but the thought did cross his mind.

“I’m sorry.” Buffy sniffled as she lifted her head to look
at him.

“Go ahead.” He felt that if he gave her permission to see other
people while he was in there, she’d have her needs met and be comforted.
Then when he got out, she’d still be his and he could make it up to her.
Everything.

“What?” Buffy was confused. Did he just say what she thought he
said?

“I said go ahead Buffy. See other guys.” Angel placed his hand
on the glass and nodded for Buffy to do the same. She brought her hand to his
and couldn’t help but let the tears fall once again. In a way he was letting
her go. She realized that now. He’d given up.

“I just want you to know, that when I get out, you’re still mine.
Think of me when …”

Buffy nodded and reached her hand in her pocket retrieving the wedding band.
She placed it on her finger before bringing her hand to the glass again.

“I’ll always be yours. I love you, Angel.” Buffy wanted nothing
more than to break that glass down and kiss him for all it was worth.

“Time’s up.”

Buffy brought her hand from the glass and gave Angel a shy smile.

“I love you, Buffy.” He managed to get those four words out before
the guard yelled again for him to get a move on. Buffy nodded and hung the phone
up when he did. She blew him a kiss and walked out of the automatic doors into
the sunlight, while Angel went back to his dungeon of broken dreams.

~~~~~~

Buffy had called her lawyer to tell him to halt the divorce papers. Her reason
being that they reconciled even though he was in prison. She had faith that
all would be well when he got out and they would continue on with their life,
putting the past behind them. She went on with her life as normal, not going
out and looking for anyone, just going with the flow.

Buffy was always a needy girl, but for her to go to Angel telling him this,
she knew she was being selfish. She was relieved when he understood, also surprised
when he gave her the go ahead to pursue a relationship. She knew no one could
compare to Angel and that she would always love him. She imagined the day that
he would get out of that hell hole sending him back into her arms where she
would vow to never let him go. He always told her they’d be together forever
and what would be the point to leave each other.

Forever. That’s the whole point.

Right?

~~~~~

Buffy walked into work on time like she did every morning. Even though her
husband was in prison, his business was still going strong. Angel Investigations
was now taken over by Wesley, Angel’s trusted friend. Buffy was his assnt nt
even though a high cut of the payments they received went to her anyway. Angel
wanted to make sure that Buffy was taken care of. She noticed that no one was
in yet so she went ahead and made coffee for Charles and Cordelia, English tea
for her boss, Wesley.

She sat down at her desk, grabbed her pen and started writing down messages
from their voicemail that piled up over the weekend. She then started opening
up case files that had been placed on her desk to go over and separated them
between the three private investigators. Buffy looked over Wesley’s calendar
for the day and saw that he had an interview lined up at 1:30. She made a note
to remind him, although he rarely needed to be reminded of such things and taped
it on her desk anyway in bright red letters.



The front door opened and without glancing up from her desk she knew that it
was Cordelia just by the tapping of her shoes. She always dressed to impress.

“Hey Cor,” Buffy said then glanced up and smiled. “Long night?”

The pretty brunette smiled as she placed her hand bag on a chair and went to
the coffee machine, “I’d say a world of yes. Went out, ate dinner
at this fancy restaurant,” She turned and glanced at Buffy, “He
really has expensive taste,” She poured cream in her coffee, “Just
the way I like them.”

Buffy rested her chin on her hands and listened to her.

“Then he took me dancing, but not at the restaurant, at that trendy club
downtown, where like everything is VIP. I had such a great time and the best
part? He didn’t try anything. Just gave me a kiss and that was it. Which,
I mean, I wouldn’t mind if we did or whatever, but he was a gentleman.”
Cordelia sat in front of Buffy’s desk and started mixing her coffee with
the cream using a straw. “So … what did you do last night?”

Buffy’s smile faded as she brought her hands together and shrugged. “Well,
nothing really. I mean I still had a good night and all, you know watching American
Idol is very fulfilling and stuff.” Buffy said slowly. “Even Simon
was okay last night, not as grouchy,” Buffy sighed, “Who am I kidding,
I sat at home holding onto a pint of Ben and Jerry’s being miserable.
Cordy, I miss him so much, but I’m putting into consideration to what
he told me.”

“Oh, about the it’s okay to sleep with other guys thing?”
Cordelia lifted a brow then took a sip of her coffee.

“Yea, that thing. I’m so lonely, but I love Angel so much. At least
when I started to have wandering eyes, I decided that we should get divorced
so it wouldn’t be … cheating, you know?”

“Oh, but now you’re gonna go out and be like this big time slut,
and then I bet you’ll fall in love, then Angel would come out,”
Cordelia placed her coffee down on the desk and started using her hands to elaborate
what she was saying, “Of course, catch you with someone else, brood, cause
you know he’s going to. Oh, and then he’ll kill the guy, get sent
back to jail just because you wanted some itch to be scratched.” Cordelia
sat back in the seat and crossed her arms over her chest. “Believe me
babe; I see this one a mile away.”

Buffy’s face was full of worry, “But he said … He said that
I could. I mean he wouldn’t just say that if he didn’t mean it,
you think?”

“My name is Cordelia. I don’t think, I know.”

Buffy grinned a little and reached to turn her computer on, “Yea, you’re
right. He will be out soon,” She paused, “If you count two more
years soon. I can wait. I can totally wait for him. I’ll go see him tonight,
then go home and miss him …”

“You’re more than welcomed to come out with me anytime you want
Buffy. I assure you, you’ll have a great time.” Cordy added, “Just
dress nice and put some damn make up on once in a while, okay?” She went
into her office.

~~~~~

Noon came around quickly Buffy noticed as she saw Charles heading up to her
desk.

“Already?”

“That’s right; I’d say we could use some food in our system,
what’ll it be blondy?” Gunn sat down holding the paper and pen waiting
for her order.

“Where are you going?” Buffy asked.

“Subway, and could you hurry it up before the lines start forming?”
He started tapping the pen on her desk.

“Sheesh, hold on, I’m thinking.”

“Ain’t got all day sista. If you don’t know in about five
seconds, I’m going with or without your order.” Charles stood and
crossed his arms.

“Ok ok ok, the usual.”

“All of that just to get you the usual.” Charles wrote it down
and smiled nervously, “How is he?”

Buffy opened her mouth to retort his ‘usual’ comment but then closed
it when she heard his question.

Charles placed his hands at his sides, “Just tell him I said …”
He searched for words.

Buffy broke into his thoughts, “I could just say you said hi. How’s
that?” She smiled at him.

“That’ll work, thanks Buff.” He began to walk away.

“Hey mister! It’s Buffy. Not Buff, not bunny. Buff-eeeee.”
She exaggerated.

Charles just smiled and nodded, “I got that,” and walked out to
go retrieve lunch.

Buffy shook her head, “Some people.”

“Some people what?”

Buffy jumped a little in her seat and turned it around looking at Wesley.

“Oh, nothing, just the whole nobody ever gets my name right thing. No
big.” Buffy told him and spun her chair around again, to play solitaire
on her computer.

Wesley opened up a filing cabinet, putting away papers. “Have you talked
to Angel as of late?”

She continued to play her game and answered with an ‘uh huh.’

“When precisely?” He shut the drawer, and then sat down in front
of her desk.

“Umm, about two nights ago, why?” Buffy stopped playing her game
and played with her fingernails as she listened to him.

“And how is he doing?”

Buffy just lifted her eyebrows as she nibbled on her finger.

“I imagine not well. This weekend I plan on going to see him.”
Wesley stated.

“Oh, he’ll, he’ll like that.” One chewed up nail for
Buffy.

Wesley smiled, “Great. It’ll be good for him to see some old familiar
faces.”

“Yes, it would.” Buffy started in on her second nail. “Oh,
I almost forgot, you have an interview at 1:30, I wasn’t sure if you’d
remember.”

“Oh right, I do. Not really an interview, he’s my cousin.”

“Oh.”

“I wanted to ask you about that anyway. Buffy, I know that I now run
Angel Investigations for your husband, but he requested that you have a say
so in what happens here.”

Buffy worked on finger number three, “Okay, what did you want to ask
me?”

“I wanted to ask if it would be okay if well … Buffy, please stop
chewing on your nails, it’s distracting.”

“Oh, sorry.” She stopped and folded her hands together watching
him.

“Is it okay if I give him a job with us? He just got laid off and he’d
be appreciative. Just part time work for now, he could help me around here.”

Buffy shrugged, “Why not? And Wes, you really don’t have to ask
me about these things. Angel left you in charge. It’s your game, not mine.
I’m just the assistant.”

“Yes, in fact you are Buffy, but I just wante ask ask you.” He
smiled slightly and stood up. “I’m sure he’ll be glad to know
that he has a job with us. Thank you again Buffy.”

“Sure, no problem.” Buffy smiled as he walked away to go talk to
Cordelia. She always liked Wes. He always made sure to include her in everything
that went on at Angel Investigations no matter how much she told him it was
okay to do his own thing. It was in fact his game now. Angel let him take over
once he was sent away. Buffy assured Wes over and over that Angel made a great
choice. Buffy laughed when she thought of Cordelia running the office and simply
told Angel no. She considered Charles, but Wesley had been here longer, he had
more experience. Plus the fact that he and Angel had been best friends. Wesley
knew everything there was to know about Angel Investigations, so they made the
choice to have him run it. Wesley was more than pleased.

“Yo! Food’s here.” Charles yelled and Buffy placed the phone
on voicemail. She grabbed her can of coca-cola and followed him to the table
where they had lunch everyday. Charles started passing out everyone’s
orders, then he sat down to eat.>
<>

“Shoot, man I almost forgot.” Charles took a bite of his sub and
continued, “I have to go and follow this cheating bitch for this guy tonight.
I tell him that she is in fact cheating, I followed her last week, but he wants
more pictures.”

“Oh, that must cut into your time. Like you really have any time to cut.”
Cordy gave a smart ass grin and took a sip of her drink.

“I do have time, or at least I would if I wasn’t following this
lady all over town.”

Cordelia gave a knowing glance at Buffy and she just looked away, taking a
bite of her sub.

“Mmm, this is good. Thank you Gunn.” Buffy covered her mouth as
she spoke.

“Anytime, anytime.” Charles chuckled a little, because Buffy rarely
called him Gunn.

Wesley spoke up, “I take it Buffy got her usual?”

“That would be correct.” Buffy stated. They all finished eating
their lunch with good conversation going along with it.

~~~~~

Buffy and Cordelia were sitting in Cordy’s office talking about plans
they just made for that night. Buffy decided she did in fact want to go out
and went to tell Cordy of a place that she’d never been too.

They heard the front door open and Buffy rolled her eyes. “Be right back;
let me find out what this person needs.”

“Gotcha, I’ll be here.”

Buffy grabbed a folder that she had brought with her into Cordy’s office
and headed out to the front. “Can I hel …” Her words trailed
off as she took in what was before her.

Bleached blonde unruly hair, the brightest blue eyes she’d ever seen,
cheekbones galore – to say the least, the man was gorg. Bu. Buffy raked
her eyes over his body and let out a sigh.

“Um, I’m sorry, can I help you?” Buffy asked weakly. Was
that her voice? Oh dear Lord.

“Here to see Wes. He should be expecting me.” The man informed
her.

“Oh, 1:30 right.” Buffy ld atd at her watch, “It’s
only 1:05, you’re early. He’s not here right now, but he will be
back. You can take a seat and wait.” Buffy decided against going back
into Cordy’s office and instead sat down at her own desk.

Buffy hid her face behind her computer as he sat down. She could see him, but
he couldn’t see her. She opened up another game of solitaire, but she
paid more attention to the man instead of her game.

“Hey Buffy, I just had a … well, well, well.” Cordy smiled
and walked over to the man and extended her hand. “My name is Cordelia
Chase and you are?”

The man grasped his hand in hers and replied, “Will.”

Will. Will is a great name, Buffy thought. She rolled her eyes when she saw
that Cordy wasn’t taking her hand away. Will finally did and placed his
hand in his lap.

“Oh, so you are the Will that’s going to be working here, huh?”
Cordy took liberty of sitting in the chair next to him. Buffy wouldn’t
be surprised if she asked him what his sign was any minute from now.

“Pretty much, love.” He grinned and turned his attention to Buffy.

“Buffy is it?”

“What … huh?” Buffy peaked her head to the side of the computer
and looked at them.

“Your name, it’s Buffy?” He asked again.

“Oh, yes, my name. Yes it is Buffy,” she told him and put her head
back behind the computer when he smiled at her. Buffy felt her head getting
hot and was hoping that she wouldn’t start sweating right then and there.
She stared at her computer screen and listened to their small talk until Cordelia
announced that she had work to do and went back to her office.

Will crossed his leg over the other, leaning back in his seat watching Buffy.

“What are you doing?”

“Who me?” Buffy still didn’t look at him.

“Yea you.” He got up and walked over to her desk, sitting in one
of the chairs in front of it. He turned her monitor around and saw what she
was doing. Before he had a chance to move it back she smacked his arm.

“That’s rude; you don’t go around turning people’s
monitors.” She turned it back, and then turned it off.

“So sorry to interrupt your work.” He exaggerated the last word.

“I’ll have you know …” She stopped talking when Wesley
walked in.

“William! You made it.” Wesley placed his handbag down in a chair
and walked over to him.

“That I did, how have you been?” Will stood up, giving Wes a handshake,
the then they walked into Wesley’s office shutting the door.

Buffy chewed off fingernail number four, turned on her computer screen and
continued to play her game.

Tbc…