Hours Later
Buffy stayed with him the whole day, seeing as how it was a Saturday, and she didn’t have anywhere to be. As hard as she tried she couldn’t get him to sit down, let alone sleep. He had been pacing in front of the fireplace for hours. It’s a wonder he hadn’t worn a track into the floor. It was then that she heard the door open, and she jumped up. Startling Angel in the process. She tuned to find Willow standing in front of the closed door staring at them.
Buffy:
Will, hi!
Buffy tried to sound cheerful.
Willow:
We’ve been looking for you. Your mom was worried when you weren’t in your room this morning. How is he here?
She pointed to Angel, who had retreated and was hiding behind Buffy.
Buffy:
I don’t know. When I was looking for whoever was killing those people I ran into him.
Willow:
Is he…you know?
Buffy:
I don’t think so. He hasn’t tried to hurt me, at least not for a while.
Willow:
Is he afraid of me?
Buffy:
He’s afraid of everything.
Buffy could feel the tension coming off him in waves. She knew he was uncomfortable, and he probably didn’t even remember Willow.
Willow:
Is he alright?
Buffy grabbed his hand, and brought him, rather reluctantly on his part, to stand beside her.
Buffy:
He’s fine, physically at least. He just has a few cuts and bruises.
She looked up into his eyes.
Buffy:
You remember Willow, don’t you?
He looked from her face, to Willow, then to the floor.
Buffy:
He hasn’t been very talkative lately.
Willow:
As opposed to his regular talkative self?
She joked and the mood lightened a bit.
Willow:
Do you need help with him? The others could…
Buffy:
No. I mean, I don’t think the others will be too happy about him being back. I think it might be too much for him right now.
Willow:
Has he slept?
Buffy shook her head.
Buffy:
Not really. He keeps having nightmares. He refuses to sleep.
Willow:
Maybe I could help.
She stepped forward, and Angel stepped back. Buffy’s hand being the only thing that kept him from retreating any further.
Buffy:
She’s not going to hurt you, Angel.
Willow:
That’s right, Angel. I’m your friend.
She held her hands out at her sides, showing that she didn’t have anything in her hands. Angel kept looking from Buffy to Willow. Buffy smiled at him encouragingly. She knew he was scared He was trembling slightly, and she knew that she was the only thing keeping him here. She knew that he would leave if she hadn’t been holding his hand. Willow made her way slowly over to Buffy’s side. Angel stayed as still as he could. He was trembling with fear and shifted from foot to foot. Willow finally made it over to Buffy’s side, but Angel was staring at the floor.
Willow:
Hi, Angel.
He nodded his head in some semblance of recognition.
Willow:
Do you remember me?
He raised his head slightly, and stared at her beneath his eyelids. He seemed to be trying to concentrate on her. He was still trembling, but he seemed to be really concentrating on her.
Angel:
Willow.
Willow:
That’s right. I’m your friend, and I want to help you.
Angel:
Help.
Willow nodded.
Buffy:
Will you let her do that?
He stared at both of them, trying to understand what was going on. He really didn’t understand what they were saying. He thought he remembered the girl standing next to Buffy, but he wasn’t sure. He looked at Buffy, and she smiled. All that he could remember was Buffy, and he trusted Buffy.
Angel:
Yes.
Buffy:
You’ll let Willow help?
Angel:
Yes.
Buffy:
Why don’t we sit down?
Willow moved over and sat down on the couch. Buffy brought Angel over with her and sat him between Willow and herself. He seemed to calm down slightly.
Buffy:
Are you hungry? Do you want me to get you something to eat?
He nodded.
Buffy:
Will you be okay if Willow stays with you?
He nodded, and she left to get him a glass of blood. She’d have to go out later to get more, but for now it could wait. She was relieved that she had someone to talk to about this. Out in the other room, Willow sat quietly with Angel. He hadn’t moved, and she could tell he was tense, and still afraid. She gently put her arm around his shoulders.
Willow:
It’s okay, Angel. I’m not going to hurt you. I want to help you, like Buffy.
She rubbed his back.
Willow:
Calm down, nobody wants to hurt you here.
After her summer with Oz she was experienced with soothing a beast. Buffy came back in with the mug to find the two of them like that. Willow whispering words of encouragement and rubbing his back. She silently came over to the couch.
Buffy:
How’s he doing?
Willow:
We’re doing just fine. Aren’t we Angel?
He nodded.
Buffy:
Here Angel.
She handed him the mug and he drank it slowly. When it was empty he handed it back to Buffy, while keeping his eyes on the ground. He blinked tiredly and stood back up. Set on pacing in front of the fireplace again. Buffy grabbed his arm.
Buffy:
Why don’t you sit down for a little while? You’ve been pacing all day. Aren’t you tired?
He shook his head. Willow listened to the conversation, and could see that both were exhausted.
Willow:
Why don’t we go for a walk?
Buffy:
Willow…
Willow:
It’s alright. You’re exhausted. We can go for a walk while you walk.
She stood and whispered in Buffy’s ear.
Willow:
I’ll get him to go to sleep.
Willow took Angel’s hand.
Willow:
Come on, Angel. Lets go for a walk.
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