Chapter 24

Buffy and Angel walked hand in hand as they patrolled. It was partly showing their affection for one another but mostly, it reassured Buffy.

As they walked she was reminded of numerous other patrols, back in the beginning when they walked hand in hand, barely able to keep their hands off one another.

But these were different times. They had been innocent back then, unknowing of the dangers of Angelus curse or Buffy’s recent nightmare.

Buffy longed for those days. Those days when all she had to worry about was patrolling and school. No worries about Angelus, college, being raped. They were simple times.

“It’s quiet tonight.” Angel observed.

“’Bout time someone cut me a break.” Buffy replied, tightening her grip on her stake.

Angel could hear her pounding heart. She was terrified and justifiably so. He just wished he could bring the old Buffy back. The confident one just waiting for the next vampire and ready with a quip for each one. He almost hoped they did encounter a vampire because if they didn’t her fear would only grow. He checked his watch. 10.43.

Almost three hours without one vampire.

They walked silently on, hand in hand. Every noise caused Buffy to tighten her grip on his hand as she looked about for it’s source. So far, they had all been animals.

“This is useless.” Buffy said, wanting desperately to end the torment and go home where she felt safe again.

“Just a little longer.” Angel prompted.

Buffy took a deep breath and they continued on.

They soon found a vampire. Angel wasn’t sure if he was glad or frightened but either way, this had to be done. He was a lone vampire, heading back to his crypt probably.

Buffy froze as she stared at it. No quip to get it’s attention, no raising the stake in defence, she just stood there as it walked.

Angel nudged her and Buffy looked into his eyes. Angels heart broke at what he was about to do. Her eyes were full of fear and sadness. But she had to do this, he told himself.

Angel called out to the vampire “Hey!”

The vampire turned to look at them.

“Slayer? I thought you were dead.” He said.

Buffy swallowed, trying to find that bravado that used to come so easily.

“Yeah… I…I guess you heard wrong, didn’t you.”

“Lucky for me.” The vampire began walking towards them. Buffy squeezed Angels hand to the point of pain.

“Do it!” Angel whispered urgently to her.

Buffy raised the arm with the stake in but she didn’t move to fight.

The vampire came too close for Angels comfort and he kicked out at it, sending it flying onto it’s back. He wrenched his hand from Buffy’s grip and began fighting it. Buffy looked on, seemingly paralysed.

Angel kept glancing at her to see when she would join it but she didn’t, she just watched.

Angel’s next glance cost him. The vampire kicked him behind the knee, sending him to the ground.

“Buffy!” he called for help.

The vampire sat on Angels back and reached for his neck to break it. He didn’t have a stake to kill Angel with so neck breaking would have to do.

Buffy watched her Angel fighting, doing her job but try as she might, she couldn’t bring herself to take over.

Then Angel fell to the ground and the other vampire climbed on him.

From no where Buffy screamed. “NO!” she couldn’t loose him. Not this time, not this way.

She launched herself at the vampire and plunged the stake into it’s back. It dissolved into ashes.

“Oh god.” Said Buffy, falling to her knees. Angel was quickly by her side.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t…” Buffy tried to explain.

“Shh. It’s ok. You did great.” Angel reassured her, pulling her towards him. Then the tears began to fall. Tears of frustration, sorrow, pity and self loathing.

“Come on,” said Angel, helping he to her feet. “That’s enough for one night.”