DISCLAIMER: The characters of Buffy and company belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, WB, 20^th Century FOX, and probably some more. 

Memory

Buffy slept restlessly. She walked in an eerie world of clouded memories. She dreamed of the time when she had first found out that Angel was a vampire.

Buffy walked home after a study session with Willow, depressed by the knowledge that the one bright spot in her life had just turned black, confused by her first choice between love and duty. But Angel had never hurt her, or the people she cared for, instead he had helped her. So, for the moment, she was willing to leave him alone.

The young Slayer walked into her kitchen. Like a warning, Buffy tried to prepare herself for what was to come. She willed her younger self to give love the benefit of the doubt, but the scene progressed just as she remembered. As Buffy walked into the kitchen, Angel was holding the unconscious form of her mother. And his vampire countenance was clearly visible as he leaned over her mother’s neck.

A moment later, she realized that it was not the same scene. Because this time, the vampire’s fangs were actually in her mother’s neck. And as she watched, frozen in horror, her mother’s body gave the little jerk that signaled death. Buffy had seen too many victims of vampires to mistake the way the body fell bonelessly to the floor as Angel released her.

Buffy stared at the body in shock. A distant part of her mind whispered, no, it didn’t happen like this. But that realization did not change what was about to happen. The Slayer reached blindly for a stake, as she watched the vamprie that she had so misjudged.

Angel raised a hand to his mouth wiping the blood free. As she watched, still unable to move, he liked his fingers clean. And then he spoke to her, "You are what I am."

Buffy raised a stake, and screamed a denial.

The vampire only laughed at her. "If you kill me, you kill yourself."

Buffy slowly lowered the stake. She knew that he spoke the truth, but that did not change the facts. She looked at the body of her mother. "I never wanted this."

"Really? Then you shouldn’t have loved me."

"I don’t understand."

"But you will."

The dream faded into darkness.

Buffy looked around her bed in horror. She did not know what the dream meant. She reached out with her mind, locating Angel.

Buffy walked down the streets of Sunnydale. There were no lights anywhere, but the light of the waning moon and her own night sight allowed her to find her way without difficulty. There seemed to be nothing living anywhere, and a chill wind swirled the dead leaves at her feet.

She reached the school. It appeared deserted, but the entrance was unlocked. She entered and headed for the library. When she walked through the door she saw that Angel was waiting for her.

But he was not alone. The greater demon Alec was with him. Buffy did not understand. Angel spoke to her, "Buffy, it is so good of you to join us. We have been waiting."

Buffy looked between the two. "I don’t understand."

"We need your help."

Buffy was confused. "What?"

"Just come here."

She slowly walked to her lover’s side. She trusted him. When she reached it, she saw light flare before her. And when her vision cleared, she saw a vortex. A portal to Hell. The Hellmouth was open.

Alec spoke. "Thank you for your help. I never could have done it without you."

Angel took her hand. "We have to go now."

"Where?"

"Home."

Buffy tried to escape, but Angel dragged her into Hell with him.

Buffy sat up in bed.

She glanced at the clock, 10:03 on a Sunday morning. She raised her hands to her head, and pushed her hair off of her face. A deep breath later, Buffy was feeling a little better. The dream had been vividly haunting, but it didn’t make any sense. She rested her head in her hands and tried to think.

Angel would not, could not, betray her. The curse was gone, she could not lose him like she had before. And nothing existed that could break the soul link. Therefore, Angel would never be her enemy. And the dream could not be a prophecy. The words calmed her.

Eventually, Buffy looked over to where Angel was sleeping. She wanted his opinion, but it had been a busy weekend for both of them. Neither had gotten much sleep, and Angel had taken the dawn shift for patrolling. She couldn’t bear to disturb his rest. Sleep, she decided, she needed to sleep. Laying her head on Angel’s chest, she listened to his heartbeat.

Soothed by the sound of her love’s heartbeat, the Slayer fell into a dreamless sleep.

Back to: The Coming of the Light.