A mind is a terrible thing: Angel's lament
by always angel
Angel was visiting Buffy when Giles, Buffy's therapist, walked in. “ Hello Angel.” Angel turned and smiled sadly at the older man. “ Hello Mr. Giles.” “ Please just Giles. Thats what everybody else calls me. How have things been?” Angel sighed. “ The same as always.” “ No change at all?” “ No. Well last month she squeezed my hand and for a moment I was convinced that she was trying to tell me somethin,. but Dr. Pryce said it was just a muscle spasm.” “ I see. And do you believe that?” Angel shook his head. “ No I don't. I mean my head knows that what Dr. Pryce says makes perfect sense and that I should just go with it but my heart tells me otherwise. When I mentioned to Dr. Pryce that I thought it was her way of telling me that shes still with me he told me that with the state shes now in that was impossible.”
“ I've known Wesley for a long time. Hes a good man and his heart is in the right place. But the only way he sees things is scientifically. When something happens that seems like a miracle to others he has to give it a scientific explanation. He fails to see that there is a power that is far greater than anything written in his books....love.” Angel smiled at him warmly. He could see now why Buffy liked him so much.
“ I've noticed that you have stopped visiting as much as you used to.” Angel nodded. “ Yeah. Things are hard as it is trying to work and take care of Connor. Coming to see Buffy everyday had made that almost impossible. I'm starting to feel guilty for not being here all the time though.” “ Thats understandable. And you've probably thought that she could wake up to find nobody here.” “ Exactly! But I just can't be here all the time anymore. I love her so much and seeing her like this kills me.”
“ Maybe instead of focusing so much on Buffy you should think about yourself for once.” “ Are you trying to tell me that I should stop coming to see her?” Giles shook his head. “ Angel I'm telling you to do what you think is right for you and Connor. If you think that means not coming to see Buffy anymore than so be it.”
Buffy walked to the library with new determination in her eyes. She was going to fight this master guy and send him straight to hell! She marched inside to find Giles packing a weapon bag and a frantic Ms. Calender trying to stop him. “ Whats going on?” “ He's planning on fighting the master.” Jenny explained. “ What! Thats crazy Giles. You'll be killed! Besides, fighting the master is my job.” “ Yes well you quit remember?” '' Then I un-quit! Giles I can't let you do this.” “ You were right Buffy. Sending you to face the master is crazy. Thats why I'm doing it for you. And as your watcher I order you to stay here. I'm doing this and theres nothing you can do to stop me.”
“ You're right.” She said admitting defeat and turning to walk away. With lightening speed she spun around and punched him in the face, knocking him unconscious. Jenny gasped and grabbed him before he hit the ground. “ If you face the master you'll die.” “ Maybe.” Buffy said as she grabbed her crossbow and walked out the door. When she stepped outside there was a young boy waiting for her. She knew in her heart that he was The Anointed One. He took her by the hand and led her to the prison that was holding his master.
Buffy stepped into the church and looked around. “ Ya know you really should call your contractor. I think you might have some water damage.” The master stepped out of the shadows and glared at her. “ Ah yes the witty banter part of the fight. Can't we just cut to the chase and get to the real figh.....” Buffy spun and fired off a shot of the crossbow. With speed rivaling her own, the master reached out and caught it before it pierced his chest. “ Nice shot!.”
Buffy tried not to show how frightened she was getting as she struggled to reload the crossbow. “ You know that wont kill me.” “ Don't be so sure.” The master disappeared from in front of her and retreated into the shadows. “ You're still unsure about your role in all this.” He taunted, his voice coming from no where and every where at once. Buffy tensed and tried to find him. “ You're not the hunter. You're the lamb.”
Without warning he attacked. Buffy fought back using all the strength she could muster. Somehow she got the upper hand. She rolled, popping up with her crossbow and fired off another shot. A satisfied smile crossed her face when it slammed into his chest.
Angel paced in Buffy's room thinking about what Giles said. He knew in his heart that Giles was right. He needed to do what was best for him and Connor. At the moment that meant he had to stop visiting Buffy. He just hoped that if she could understand what was going on, she'd understand why he had to do this He sat down next to the bed and took her hand in his. “ Hey baby its me. You know that I love you so much and that I would do anything for you. But seeing you laying there helpless is killing me. I wait every day for you to wake up and you never do.”
His voice broke so he got up and moved to the window. Tears streamed down his face as he thought about what he was going to say next. He was so caught up in his grief he didn't notice Buffy starting to stir. “ I can't do this anymore Buffy. I'll always love you but I can't spend the rest of my life waiting for you to wake up.” Without a glance in her direction he walked to the door. “ Goodbye Buffy.”
The master paused when the bolt hit him then reached up and yanked it out. “ Close but no heart.” Buffy stood dumbfounded. She suddenly lost all will fight. The master grabbed her from behind and tilted her head back. Silent tears streamed down her face as he told her that she was the one to set him free. If she had stayed away he wouldn't have been able to escape. He pulled her to his chest and plunged his fangs into her neck. When he was satisfied he tossed her body to the ground.
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