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Chapter 9: Sanctuary
Angel and Angel*
“Buffy?” Angel* stared awed for a second as she fell into his arms.
“Buffy?” Angel whispered taking her from the other Angel and walking back toward the Hyperion. He then looked back toward his doppelganger “Tell the Willows we’ve got her.”
Angel nodded and almost smiled. She was okay and she was alive. He sighed and contacted Willow and then followed Angel.
Inside the Hyperion
“Should we wake her?” Giles asked the group that surrounded the bed.
“No, let her sleep.” Giles* answered.
They watched the Slayer. She murmured something but no one could understand. Finally Giles got up and went downstairs and the Wesley’s, the Fred’s, Dawn, the Xander’s and Spike followed him. The only ones who remained were Angel and Angel*.
Angel* sat in a chair and the other Angel sat by Buffy’s side, stroking her hair.
“Willow’s working on the spell right now.” Angel* said.
“What would have happened to her, what was that arrow?” Angel asked.
“Remember when we were hit by that arrow right before Buffy’s graduation?” Angel* asked and Angel nodded.
“Well that’s what this is, only it’s a lot stronger. There’s a cure for humans but not for vampires.” Angel* said.
“Oh, wait but you hit me with the-.” Angel started but Angel* stopped him.
“No, we didn’t know you were a vampire, we just hit you with normal arrows.” Angel* told him.
“Is she-does it hurt her now?” Angel asked looking at Buffy.
“I don’t know, it might.” Angel* said and then shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
Angel nodded. Then there was a soft knock on the door and Willow* cam in followed by the other Willow, holding a mug that was probably filled with Buffy’s cure.
“You said that this arrow was like the one we got shot with, does she need slayer’s blood?” Angel asked.
“No, well not really. She is the Slayer so her blood will substitute for the blood needed.” Willow said. She handed the mug to Angel and then opened the door for Giles, Spike, Dawn and Xander.
Angel set the mug down on the nightstand next to the bed and sat Buffy up. She was still unconscious and her head rolled like a rag dolls to one side. He grabbed the mug and gently lifted her head and brought the mug to her lips.
“Come on Buffy, drink.” He said softly and he lifted the mug so some of its contents could go down her throat.
“That smells nasty.” Dawn pointed out.
“Tell me about it.” Xander said, covering his nose.
After Buffy had drunk all of the contents Angel laid her back down on the bed.
“She’s going to be alright now?” Spike asked.
“Yeah. Just let her sleep. She’ll wake up in a little bit.” Willow* said and then left the room, everyone following behind her, except of course Angel and Angel*.
Downstairs in the lobby everything was tense. It was as if any minute a bubble would burst. Dawn was talking to the Willow’s and Fred’s and Cordelia* over by the ottoman. The Gunn’s and Xander’s were talking by the weapons chest and then the Wesley’s and Giles’s. Just then everything grew silent as Angel* came downstairs followed by Angel and finally Buffy.
Dawn ran up to her and hugged her. “Hey Dawnie, you’re ok right?” Buffy asked.
“Yeah.” Dawn said and nodded. “Isn’t weird, there’s two of all of us. Two Willow, two of Xander, two of me and-and two of you.” Dawn said with a whisper.
“Yeah, cool.”
Buffy walked down and sat on a couch and everyone stared at her. “Umm…hi?” Buffy said feeling all the eyes on her.
“Buffy are you alright?” Giles asked.
“Yeah, I’m good. But how do I know that you’re my Giles? Both of you are the same. You should where little hats that say Giles one and Giles two...all of you should.”
“That is something we should work out.” Wesley said, nodding.
“Yeah, it could get kind of confusing.” Dawn said.
“Huh, oh well. We’ll figure out something. So umm…Giles, my Giles, do they know why were here. Can they help us with something, anything that might give us a clue as to why we’re here?” Buffy asked.
“Well, Buffy I think there’s something you should know.” Giles said taking off his glasses. Then he paused. “Do you know who took you?”
“I didn’t get a good look at her. I’m assuming it was a her because of the blonde hair, but no I didn’t get a good look at whoever it was.” Buffy said.
Giles took a deep breath. “Buffy in this world, you are a vampire.”
Buffy inhaled sharply. “Oh. That’s umm…how?”
Almost everyone in the room turned their head to Spike who frowned.
“Spike turned me!” Buffy said. “How? When?” She looked at Spike who hung his head.
“Don’t look at me Pet, it was the other me who did it.” Spike said.
“Yeah, I know it’s just. Where is he?” Buffy asked.
“Dead.” Xander* said.
“Oh…who?”
“You. Before you died.” Angel* said.
“Oh.” Buffy whispered.
Everything was quiet for a little while. Until Cordelia* said, “Where do you go from here?”
“I have an idea.” Fred* said and everyone looked at her. “Let’s go see Lorne.”
Most people nodded their agreement; some had no idea who they were talking about.
“Who’s he?” Buffy asked.
Caritas
“So what’s this place?” Buffy asked as they faced the entrance to a place called Caritas.
“It’s a club, some people call it a Sanctuary. It’s Lorne’s place, he’s a demon, who reads people and guides them toward their future.” Angel said.
“Oh, and you knew him back home too?” Buffy asked.
“Yeah.” Angel said.
“Cool.”
“So what do you want? Lorne to read us all?” Gunn asked.
“No, just Buffy.” Angel* said.
“Oh great, why only me?” Buffy asked.
“Because you may be the reason you are making this world better, you could be what you are making better.” Wesley* said.
“I don’t think this can get anymore confusing.” Xander muttered.
They walked inside and a green skinned demon with two horns sticking out of it smiled at them and walked over. “It’s been a long time since I saw you guys and what’s with the doppelgangers?”
“Hi Lorne.” Willow* said.
“They’re us from another dimension. They’re here to make it better.” Angel* said.
“Oh, wow. This is big. Well, come in. Come in. Can I get you anything? How about a sea breeze?” he asked and gestured toward the glass in his hand.
Everyone shook his or her head no. “No that’s alright Lorne but can you possibly read Buffy?” Wesley asked and gestured toward the slayer.
Lorne’s eyes widened. He lowered his voice. “You brought her here? This place is supposed to be a sanctuary for people, and you brought her here?”
“It’s not that Buffy. We’re talking about the other one, from the other world.” Xander* said.
“Oh, okay then. Well there’s no one here anyway. You know, so you don’t startle any people.” Lorne smiled and held out his hand. “I’m Lorne, we’ve never met, and well I’ve met your-never mind. This is quite an honor. How are you?”
Buffy smiled. She liked Lorne. “Okay.”
“Good, okay go pick out a song sweet cheeks.” Lorne said pointing to the stage.
“A song?” Buffy asked looking at Angel.
“Well, to read you, I have to hear you sing.” Lorne said.
“Nobody told me that!” She said looking at the group. “I don’t sing…the only time I sing is in the shower and I probably don’t sing well either!”
“That’s alright, give it a try. It’s a very spiritual feeling, the singing. Especially if you pick the right song.” Lorne said.
Buffy took a deep breath and looked at Angel. “Have you ever done this?”
Angel nodded. “Yeah.”
“Alright…I guess I’ll try.” Buffy started walking toward the stage. “None of you better laugh, and Dawn that means you.”
“Okay!” Dawn said giggling.
Buffy looked toward the list of songs and raised her eyebrows. “Uhh…what song do I pick?”
Lorne smiled. “Something that has some special meaning to you. A song that you might feel connected too. Pick two if you’d like. I want to get to know you first and then we’ll see what the future holds.”
Buffy nodded and looked at the list nothing really popped out at her. The list was in alphabetical order by artist and there was nothing in the A’s, or B’s…C’s, D’s. She kept looking until she got to the M’s and she saw Sarah MchLachlan. She smiled and looked at the songs by her. Her heart almost skipped a beat as she looked at two songs. I will remember you and Angel. She smiled and knew that those were the right songs.
“Okay, I’ve got them.” Buffy said.
“Okay.” Lorne said and set it up.
“You ready?” Lorne asked and she nodded.
“I’m a little nervous.” Buffy admitted.
“That’s normal.” Lorne said.
“Okay.” Buffy said. She looked at her friends. They were all watching her and she felt her palms start to sweat and her heart start to beat fast. She took a deep breath and took the mike and waited until she heard the intro. Angel was playing first.
“Spend all your time waiting
for that second chance
for a break that would make it okay
there's always one reason
to feel not good enough
and it's hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction
oh beautiful release
memory seeps from my veins
let me be empty
and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight”
Buffy sang the words and her heartbeat slowed down, she felt the music and she connected with it. She now knew what Lorne meant by spiritual feeling. She continued:
“In the arms of an angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold hotel room
and the endlessness that you fear
you are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie
you're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort there.”
She looked out into the audience and saw people watching her and she smiled and continued singing.
“So tired of the straight line
and everywhere you turn
there's vultures and thieves at your back
and the storm keeps on twisting
you keep on building the lie
that you make up for all that you lack
it don't make no difference
escaping one last time
it's easier to believe in this sweet madness oh
this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees
In the arms of an angel
fly away from here
from this dark cold hotel room
and the endlessness that you fear
you are pulled from the wreckage
of your silent reverie
you're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort there
you're in the arms of the angel
may you find some comfort here”
When she finished singing there was a round of applause from the audience and Buffy smiled.
Then the next song came on and as she heard the intro she thought she was going to cry. This was the right song. She could feel it in her bones. She felt the claddagh ring, which she wore on her finger, the first time in a while, and she smiled. But where did it come from? She left it at home. Weird, she thought. And then it was time for her to sing.
“I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
Remember the good times that we had?
I let them slip away from us when things got bad
How clearly I first saw you smilin' in the sun
Wanna feel your warmth upon me, I wanna be the one
I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories”
As she sung she looked out and spotted Angel. She smiled at him and he smiled back. She spotted the claddagh ring on his hand and bit her lip. She continued singing.
“I'm so tired but I can't sleep
Standin' on the edge of something much too deep
It's funny how we feel so much but we cannot say a word
We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard
But I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
I'm so afraid to love you, but more afraid to loose
Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose
Once there was a darkness, deep and endless night
You gave me everything you had, oh you gave me light.”
She looked back out and saw Angel*. He was biting his lip and Buffy couldn’t tell if he was crying, laughing or what.
“And I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
And I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories
Weep not for the memories.”
As she finished up she felt her eyes start to fill up with tears. When she was done a burst of applause came from the audience and a few people gave her a standing ovation. She smiled and walked off stage.
Dawn came up and hugged her. “Whoa Buffy, that was amazing.”
“Yeah, Buf, how come you never told us you were Sarah MchLachlan in disguise?” Xander asked.
Buffy smiled and turned to Lorne who was wiping his eyes.
“Wow.” He said.
“Thank you.” Buffy said.
“How did it feel?” Lorne asked.
“Wonderful, exhilarating. Like I was free and safe. I was in my own-.” She stopped, trying to find the words. “Sanctuary, like I was in my own sanctuary. And I feel stronger and I don’t think that feeling is going to go away. I think-I think I might have tapped into a place deep within me and I like it here.”
“You did.” Lorne said and smiled. “That was incredible. You have such life, you have so many emotions and feelings especially for a certain brooding vampire with a soul over there.” Lorne said and Buffy smiled.
“So, what’s her future?” Xander said coming up to them.
Lorne regarded the group. “She’ll definitely help you, help the world. She’s going to make it better. The how is a little unclear, but she’ll think of something.” He smiled.
Angel came up to Buffy and hugged her. “I love you.” He said to her and she smiled. “I love you too.”
They kissed and held each other for a couple minutes until Angel felt a tap on his back.
“Sorry big guy, but can I talk to Buffy for a minute?” Lorne asked.
“Yeah sure.” He said and then walked toward the others who were getting ready to go.
Lorne led Buffy off to the side. “What I said back there I mean it. You are going to help them and you probably will figure it out but just in case.” Lorne took her hand and slipped a small piece of paper into it.
“What-?” Buffy started to ask but Lorne put up a hand.
“I don’t know if you might need it, but if you do you have it. And don’t look at it unless you know it’s absolutely necessary. As a last resort thing and all.”
“What is it?” Buffy asked.
“Let’s just say its been known to help people in the past.” Lorne said.
“Okay.” Buffy said.
“Good. Now go have fun. Go do something; you might even find something out about the world. Something you can use to help.” Lorne said.
Buffy smiled. “Thank you.”
“No thank you, it was an honor. And I’m happy we met.” Lorne said.
“Yeah, me too.” Buffy said and smiled at him.
“Oh and if you ever need me, I’m here.”
Buffy nodded and walked toward the group.
“What did he say to you?” Angel asked.
“Just that if I ever needed anything I could come to him.” Buffy said and smiled.
“Let’s go through the tunnels.” Angel* said.
“Why?” Xander asked.
“It’s daylight and it’s quicker.” Angel* told him.
“Got it.” Xander said and they walked toward the entrance to the sewers.
Back at the Hyperion everyone was bored, they were all doing something but they wanted something else to do. The Giles’s and Wesley’s were reading books. The Gunn’s and Xander’s were hanging out in the training room downstairs. The Willow’s were working on spells. The Fred’s were just chatting. Dawn and Cordelia* were talking by the ottoman and Spike was counting to a million, that’s how bored he was. The Angel’s and Buffy were hanging out by the counter. It was rounding nine o clocks and everyone was hungry or anxious to do something.
Suddenly Cordelia* sprang out of her seat, causing Dawn to jump up and said. “I have an idea!”
“What’s that?” Xander said coming up with Xander* and the Gunn’s.
“Let’s go shopping!” Cordelia burst out and everyone stared at her.
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