Interlude: Tete-A-Tete In Sunnydale
Summary: It's 6 days and 10 hours to the wedding and Angel's having a little conversation with Nana Bethie while everyone else is having one of their own.
Notes: Feedback please! And this happens when Angel never loses his soul when Buffy and he get pelvic. Buffy's great-grandmother is Nana Bethie who is also known as Lady Atherton. Liam is Spike. Buffy is called Elizabeth. Joyce is called Joyceln. Harbinger is Whistler.
*****
Nana Bethie watched the sleeping form before her with a detached eye. Though the covers reached his well-formed chest, it was obvious that he was naked underneath them. Nana cocked her head to the side as she saw him roll over and hug the pillow next to him closer, murmuring,"Buffy..."
Angel snuggled his face into the pillow and breathed in the scent and smiled."Buffy..."
She looked at her watch and sighed, It was only ten in the morning, and she supposed that a vampire, even one with a soul, needed his rest. Especially one that had been so...diligent in trying to avoid her. As she pulled up a chair at the foot of the bed, she waited. And she tried to see the future.
*****
Joyce cradled the phone closer to her ear as she looked through the pile of mail that was in her office."Rupert, dear, there's no need for you to come with Owen, Buffy and me to the hospital. We can handle getting him to the house by ourselves."
Joyce sighed as she listened for a moment to her husband's sputtering."And how do you propose to leave the school during school hours? He gets out at eleven, and we still have shopping to do for the wedding so he's coming with us. Are you going to take off four hours off work to make sure that Hank doesn't do whatever you think that he's not going to do?"
Rolling her eyes, Joyce sighed into the phone."Rupert, this is ridiculous. I have no time to deal with your jealousy and insecurities, but I'll tell you right now, I love you and when this wedding is over I'm going to slap you upside your head, now good-bye."
She hung up the phone with a clink and was out the office door when it started to ring again incessantly.
*****
"So, who was that guy that was trying to pick you up?"Xander asked as he leaned against the glass counter. Cordelia looked at him with a steely eye.
"Could you please *not* lean on the counter? I just had it cleaned,"Cordelia said as she crossed her arms."And why do you want to know?"
Xander straightened as he glared at her."Well, I don't know, Cordy. Could it possibly be because of the fact that we're seeing each other? Exclusively."
"Since when? Where was I on this momentous decision? I was not aware that us see each other on a social basis was considered an exclusive thing, Xander,"Cordelia challenged as she tilted her head at him.
Xander stepped forward and looked down at her. Their faces nearly touching."Oh, you were on this momentous occasion, remember? It was when one of the Murphy bride's maid cornered me and asked me out to lunch and a nightcap. That was when you came up and told her, and I quote,'That man is not on display nor is he available for being the main course in any meal.' End quote."
Cordelia rolled her eyes as she scoffed at him."Please, you were backed into the Bridal veil corner by her. I was only trying to rescue you. You looked like Harmony when she found her hair was caught in the locker."
"I was not! I'm just not used to aggressive younger women, with the exception of you, Buffy and Faith,"Xander shot back."With you as the leading favorite. And we're getting off the subject here, I thought we were dating on a one-on one basis here?"
Cordelia cocked her eyebrow at him, giving him an icy stare."And I repeat, since when? Until it's a mutual and clear decision, I can have dinner with anyone I want."
"All right then, let's settle this for once and for all: Cordelia Chase, owner of Designing Dreams, are we going to see each other for an one-to-one relationship that in the future, might or might not entail a permanent commitment before God, man, werewolf, and vampire? A future that might include same closets, beds,hairspray and children?"Xander demanded as he looked straight at her stunned brown eyes. His hand trembled as he raised to touch her face."I missed you, Cordy. I never thought I would or thought I did, but I do."
Xander's heart sank as she slowly stepped back from him.
*****
As she placed the last computer game at its stand, Willow looked at her husband through narrowed eyes."And you said where was this bachelor party being held? And what are you going to do?"
Standing from his place behind the counter, Oz looked at his wife warily."You are aware that if I tell you, all the males in the world will have a right to string me up to the nearest tree and give me wedgies?"
Willow snorted delicately as she approached him."You'll survive, Oz. I believe in you. Now are you going to tell me or do I have to get rough with you?"
"Willow, you are aware that we're in the store right now? Fun Stop is open for business? And Xander's not here to cover the front, right?"Oz asked as he backed further into the counter corner. He hit the wall. He watched warily as his wife's fingers started creeping towards him and the smile that lit her face."Willow?"
When Oz caught her hands and held them, Willow simply leaned over and latched on to his earlobe with her teeth and started to nibble on it. Oz sighed,"Lobe nibbling. Not fair, Will."
*****
"That's the last of it B,"Faith said as she placed the last book on the shelf."You can book to catch your dad now."
"Bad pun, Faith. But let me add that if I never see another book, it'll be too soon,"Buffy grumbled as she jumped over the small display of fire arms counter. She looked around the large shop and sighed with satisfaction."Who would have thought two Slayers and a Watcher would have an action and romance section in their antique arms and book store? Want a frappacino before I go?"
"That'd be cool. But remember, G-man calls it the copies of the original ballads of the minstrels,"Faith said in her best British tone as Buffy went to the small coffee counter."Very rare and very precious. Do be careful with them."
"And would you two please refrain from calling it the action and romance section, it will be known as the ballads section of the store,"Buffy said in her best British voice as she poured milk into her cup of cappacino. Buffy handed Faith her drink as she added some more sugar into hers."As if we're going to throw these things around the place."
"You sound just like him,"said a voice from behind Buffy. Both Slayers looked up to see Owen standing near the door smiling at them."Ah, sorry to disturb you two on your break. But we're supposed go, Buffy?"
"Yeah, sure, Owen. Just let me have a moment to get my stuff, I'll meet you at the car,"Buffy said with a forced smile. When Owen left, Faith grabbed Buffy's arm.
"Owen is driving you to the hospital? Does your main vamp know anything about this?"Faith demanded. Buffy shrugged sheepishly.
"Sort of. Angel knows that Owen's going to help dad, but not that he's the one that's going to stick with Mom and me like glue while we get our wedding chores done,"Buffy said with a small grimace."And I am *so* not looking forward for Angel to know this little piece of information. He has yet to forgive for the wedgie I gave him last night."
"Yeah, the mood after was kinda,intense? Did you offer to kiss it and make it better?"Faith asked as she gave her friend a mock leer. Buffy blushed slightly as she looked at her other bride's maid."I guess that means he still wasn't speaking to you afterwards. Even if he was looking at your butt the whole time we were patrolling."
"Probably because he wanted to paddle it, not kiss it,"Buffy sighed as she gathered her bag."I can't wait until this wedding is all over, the celery thing's getting so bad that I'm beginning to think that everything he says to me has some sort of sex message hidden in it."
Faith frowned."What celery thing? You starting to get it on with vegetables? Isn't that a bit kinky?"
"Not celery. I think the word is celebrity? Or was it chastity? You know the word that means no getting touchy-feely or smoochies big time,"Buffy said as she shook her head."Hope he doesn't give me a hard time about spending the day shopping for wedding stuff with Owen."
Faith offered."Hey, if Angel gives you any trouble, I know a really good Slayer with a nice stake if he goes vamp on you."
"Not me that I'm worried about,"Buffy said as she headed out the door."It's Owen. I don't want to *think* what Angel would probably do him. And I *really* have no desire to spend my time defending Owen from Angel."
As Buffy left, Faith grabbed the phone and punched a number."And I think that I just found a new betting pool."
*****
Nana Bethie opened her eyes again and looked at the bed. She smiled slightly at the still form before her. Angel had not moved since she went into her trance, but she knew that he was a awake. And probably wondering what she was going to say.
Amused, she waited to see what he would do.
*****
Smiling, Joyce walked into Hank Summer's hospital room."Hey there, stranger. Feeling better? Can you talk?"
Hank Summers turned around, smiling at his ex-wife. He sported a strange contraption around his mouth."Hey, Joycie. Sort of. My jaw is clamped shut by a brace, my lips move, my tongue is not numb any more, and I can now play the piano when I never was able to before."
"And yet, you still can't carry a tune,"Joyce said wryly."The wonders of modern medicine."
"Oh, yeah. I can't wait until we're back at the house,"Hank chuckled."This is turning out to be *some* vacation and wedding planning. I was fully expecting Nana Bethie to deck me, but what happens? My daughter's fiancee decks me and cracks my jaw and Rupert nearly decks me. At least most of the mice are gone yes?"
"Hank,"Joyce said softly."There were no mice. There never were."
Hank Summers turned to look at her."What do you mean? Of course there were. I heard them. Would I lie to you about that?"
"Yes, you would,"Joyce said firmly as she looked at him. Hank looked at Joyce stunned."And I want to know why. Why did you make up a lie like that? Why are you staying at my home and not in a hotel? Don't tell me that it's more convenient for the wedding plans because you haven't been very helpful with them. So what's going on in that little head of yours? Why are you trying to interfere with my life? And Buffy's? Why, Hank?"
Hank Summers looked at his ex-wife. She looked at him with hard brown eyes. And he slowly sat on the bed."So the jig is up, huh?"
"The jig is up, Hank,"Joyce said softly as she walked forward to him."What's going on?"
As Joyce and Hank looked intensely at each other, they never noticed the shadow by the door.
"I want it all back, Joyce. What I messed up on. I want it all back,"Hank said softly."You. Buffy. Time. I want it all back."
Joyce looked at him, puzzled. Hank ran his fingers through his hair."I know that I haven't been the greatest of fathers. And certainly not the greatest of husbands when we were married. I'm an obstinate man. Used to getting his way. Ignoring people that don't matter. A general snot and useless piece of humanity. And please feel free to jump in at anytime to stop this dose of self-flagellation, Joyce."
Joyce simply shrugged."Why stop you? You got it all right so far. So what is it that brought about this great revelation that you're not such a great person?"
"I had a heart attack, Joyce,"Hank said bluntly."While I was in Japan for business, I had a heart attack. Two days before Buffy's high school graduation, I had a heart attack. That's the real reason why I couldn't come to that graduation."
He chuckled derisively."Not that I was missed. Buffy seemed to do great without me. Daddy's little girl didn't need her daddy anymore. She had you. Rupert. Her friends. And after being regulated to the very back back-burner in her life, I buried myself in work again. But this time I managed to find a steady girlfriend. Who wasn't so steady. Because she left as soon as I found out that I needed a double bi-pass. And I found myself alone in the hospital again."
Hank looked at Joyce with a crooked smile."And then I got better again. And then after I got out of the hospital, Buffy graduated again. If I didn't know better I'd say that Buffy's graduations are tied to the conditions of my heart. Thank god she's not in school anymore."
Joyce chuckled involuntarily."Her birthdays and graduations. They all have to have a theme to them. But why...why didn't you call Buffy? Or even me when you were in the hospital? We would've stood by you. At least to hold your hand."
"And that was the least of what I wanted, Joycie. I didn't want to be alone,"Hank said as he took Joyce's hand."It never hit me until I saw you. With Rupert Giles at Buffy's graduation. You two were so happy. And so...together. Not officially married, but acting like it. And I saw what I was missing. "
"And now Buffy's getting married,"he sighed."To a man that I never even knew she was seeing. To a man that I don't even know. And for some reason, one that I don't fully trust even if I do see that he loves her. But will he keep her happy? Safe?"
"He'd die to keep her safe, Hank. I know it. I've seen it. And I know him well enough that he'd react very badly to anyone that tried to take her away from him," Joyce said as she took her hand from Hank's, but he held on to it.
Hank looked at Joyce and smiled at her.”Just like how I feel for you, Joyce. Joyce, I want it all back. I want to try again. You, me and Buffy. I want to try it all over again. And get it right.”
“Hank, I think Angel jostled your brains more than we think he did,”said Joyce looked at her ex-husband. She forcefully pulled her hand away.”But let me tell you plainly, get a life, Hank.”
Hank Summers stared at her. Joyce looked back at him and for a moment, she reminded him of her Nana Bethie.”You really need a life. I’m sorry that you were alone when you had your heart attack. When you had no one beside you when you had your operation. But, you’re not coming back into my life because you have a few regrets.”
"I can’t make you get out of the house right now, but after the wedding, I want you to leave the house. And leave Rupert and me alone. I love Rupert very much, Hank. With everything I have in me. Now, I’m going to the main desk to sign you out, so make sure that you have all your stuff,"Joyce said as she turned towards the door. The shadow beside the door disappeared in a flash.
*****
Cordelia looked at Xander warily."What is this? A repeat of what happened in high school? You want to get back together with Cordelia Chase the former May Queen? Why?"
"I never wanted to date the May Queen Cordelia Chase,"Xander said frustrated. He ran his fingers though his hair."Hell, I never wanted to even date you when you were the most popular girl in high school. But there you were, always needing to get rescued from some vamp or demon or whatever monster of the god-know whatever-time-of-the-day-of-the-week it was. And then after that incident with Willow, you were gone. And there was a big hole that I've been trying to fill with every other girl I've known since high school."
Cordelia watched as Xander paced before her."So now I'm a hole filler? Gee, that's a wonderful thing to know. The romance of that statement is so not there."
"Not just any hole filler, Cordy. The only hole filler that I can find,"Xander said as he took her hand."The only one that I need to know if she'd be willing to give the goof in high school a second chance."
"The only part of that statement that I understand is that you just called yourself a big goof,"Cordelia said as she wrapped her arms around his neck."And that there's a part of me that's willing to give you a second chance. So, yes, I'll start dating you on a one-on-one relationship."
Xander grinned as he hovered over her mouth for a kiss."Does this mean that you want to go to a closet and neck?"
"I think so,"Cordelia said as she kissed him."But here, now. And not in the closet."
"Here? In front of this big public window?"Xander asked in amazement."In public?"
"Just shut up and kiss me, you big goof,"Cordelia said as she brought his lips on to hers.
*****
"Are you going to talk yet?"Willow said as her tongue darted across her husband's lips. Her fingers played in his now magenta hair."Or do I have to get rougher?"
"I'll never break under your torture,"Oz sighed as Willow kissed him again."I think I hear bells ringing."
"That's the phone,"Willow whispered as she pulled away."Want to ignore it?"
"It's business. It had better be business,"Oz said as he picked up the phone from behind him. He cleared his throat."Hello, Fun Stop, the store that has all your music, comics and computer games. Oh, hi Faith."
When Willow heard who it was on the other end, she started to nibble on Oz's other ear as her hands started traveling lower. Oz sucked in a deep breath."Another betting pool? Great. Ah, Will! Faith? Can we call you back later? Willow's trying to torture me, and I'm trying to enjoy it."
Willow's head shot up and her eyes narrowed."Enjoy it?"
"Sorry, honey. I mean, I'm trying to suffer. Really suffer here. Need total concentration to do total suffering,"Oz said as seriously as he could."Faith, I have to go now. Willow wants me to really suffer here. She's trying to get information about the bachelor party from me. See ya."
"Enjoying it?" Willow said as she started to tickled her husband.
*****
After thirty minutes, Nana Bethie sighed. Finally, she picked up her thick wooden cane."Angel, if you don't stop faking sleep, I'm going to whack your legs right now after the count of five. Very hard. One. Two."
Nana Bethie raised her cane "Three."
The cane whipped through the air. And came down with a vicious smack on the bed. When Nana Bethie looked at the head of the bed, she saw Angel sitting up with his legs to his chin. He glared at her."You said after five."
"Reflexes. Very bad. Happens with old age,"Nana Bethie said blandly."Memory goes too. Thought I said three. Ready for that talk now?"
Angel scowled at the diminutive woman sitting in the chair before him."I can't talk now."
Nana Bethie gave him a sardonic look."You seem to be doing fine for a mute."
"I'm sleeping."
"Wonderful. Who knows what secrets you might reveal?"
"I'm naked."
"Nothing I haven't seen before. Unless you have the pox."
"I'm not ready to talk."
"I know."
"I don't want to."
"That's why we're talking right now."
Angel put his game face on and scowled at her. Nana Bethie looked at him with an amused eye."Do you *really* think that scares me?"
His yellow eyes flashing, Angel looked at her ferociously."I'm a nasty vampire."
"Quite all right, dear. Spike is just as bad."
“Before I was cursed I was known as the Scourge of Europe."
"I know."
"I sired Spike."
"I know."
"I have a soul."
Nana Bethie looked at her fingernails. Angel tried again."I love Buffy. With all my heart."
She picked some dirt from under her nails. Angel tried another tactic."My soul is permanent. I can never lose it again. There's nothing to worry about me losing it."
Still silent, Nana Bethie looked at her other hand. Angel thought desperately."I told Buffy to dust me instantly if there's even a threat of me losing my soul again."
She was still silent."I made a will. Buffy's my heir. She gets everything that I have should I die."
Nana Bethie was still silent. Angel thought harder."We're getting married in six days and-"
Angel looked at the clock beside him. It read 11:45 am."And six hours and fifteen minutes. Nothing is going to stop me from keeping me from marrying Buffy."
Nana Bethie looked at Angel as she leaned against her hand. Angel thought again."And I'm keeping my oath to Buffy's father and the priest to not touch Buffy until after the wedding."
Nana Bethie snorted."Your loss. As if I *really* care what that idiot makes you do through your own guilt and gullibility."
Angel looked at Buffy's diminutive great-grandmother with growing frustration."So then what do you really care about? What do you want to know? What do you want to talk about?"
"Boxers or briefs?"
Angel stared at her. He couldn't have heard right."What? Did you just ask if I wore boxers or briefs?"
"Your hearing is fine,"Nana said complacently. Angel was afraid that he was starting to blush.
"You're joking, right?"he asked in a small voice hopefully. Nana Bethie looked at him, then sighed.
"Yes, I'm joking,"she said. She repressed a smile when she heard the air whoosh out of his dead lungs."But I did come to talk to you, Angel."
Angel looked at her with trepidation."About what?"
Nana Bethie simply shrugged."I just wanted to know where you wanted to have your honeymoon. Do shut your mouth, Angel I have no desire to stare at your fangs all day."
Shutting his mouth, Angel shook his head and stared at her. The he demanded,"That's all you wanted to know?!? You let me go on and on like an idiot, like a fool, like a ninny, like a moron, like-like Spike!"
"Well, you were going on and on, and I had no desire to stop your babble once you started. Especially when you answered what I already knew,"Nana Bethie said calmly."But it was nice to have you confirm it."
Angel stared at her."I don't believe it! You're just like Buffy! Is this what I have to look forward to in the next fifty years of our life together?"
"Horrifying isn't it?"Nana Bethie said impishly as she stood up."Wait until she decides to get revenge on her husband for every wrong that you really didn't do. Or forgot to do."
Angel stared at her, then started laughing."You just wanted to see if you could rattle my cage, didn't you?"
"Not really, but it's nice to know that I can. I must do that more often,"Nana Bethie said."Like I said, I wanted to know where you and Elizabeth are going to have your honeymoon. And to tell you a few things."
"I'm all ears,"Angel said as he spread his arms out."You have my complete attention. I'm not going anywhere."
"Not like you have a choice, since you're obviously naked down there,"Nana said dryly."And I have no intention of leaving until I have my say."
Angel nodded his head to her."It's your time and breath, Nana Bethie."
*****
Joyce walked to the nurse’s station when she heard her name being called. She turned to see her husband standing a few feet away from her.”Rupert! I told you that there was no need for you to come to the hospital.”
Giles smiled at her as he gathered her in his arms and gave her a smacking kiss.”I know. I just wanted to be here with you. Want to make a baby?”
Joyce looked at her husband warily.“Have you been possessed by a demon again? Or eating Band Candy?”
“No, I have not been possessed by a demon again or been eating Band Candy,”Giles snapped.”I just wanted to know if you wanted to make a baby. Why do you ask?”
Joyce crossed her arms.”Because we’re in the front of the nurses’ station and having a very private discussion in public.”
“Oh, I guess that it was quite, suden,”Giles said sheepishly as he ran his fingers through his hair.”But your answer, Joyce?”
Joyce sighed.”Why not? But I want to know about this sudden need for children, Rupert.”
“Blame it on the Nana,”Giles said as his mouth touched hers.
*****
Nana Bethie looked at him cheekly."Let me have a moment to savor the fact that I have a naked man at my thrall. And at my advanced age, too."
Angel closed his eyes, brought his hand against them and sighed. "Definitely like Buffy. What am I getting into?"
"Hopefully, the best years of your life,"Nana Bethie said with a cocked eye."Don't you think?"
"I know that they'll be,"Angel said quietly. Nana looked at Angel and nodded her head at him.
"Both of you know that you love each other, there is no need for me to say anything about it. And I know that no matter what I say or the world or the Watcher's Council or even that idiot we both dislike says, both you and Elizabeth will do what you will,"Nana Bethie said."But then, that’s not the issue.”
“Then what is the issue, Nana? Are you afraid that I’ll hurt Buffy? That I’ll lose my soul and kill her?”Angel asked quietly.
Nana Bethie looked at him.”Hurt her, yes. Every marriages has its own inadvertent little hurts and cruelties. Even the best ones. And lose your soul again? Not that I can see.”
“Then why are you here? Just to ask about where we’re going to have honeymoon? Because we really don’t know yet,”Angel said a bit puzzled.
“The issue is the future, I cannot read it when it comes to you and Elizabeth. Joyceln’s and Rupert’s I can read the threads, see what happens. Even with Spike’s future, I can see *something*, but not with yours and Elizabeth’s,”Nana Bethie said, her voice frustrated.”I cannot see it and I have no assureance that I can give to the both of you. And I so dearly want to. Especially for my Elizabeth.”
Angel looked at the elderly woman who so obviously loved her family.”We know that we live on borrowed time, Nana. And we plan to spend every minute of it being happy and loving each other. As much as we can.”
Nana Bethie nodded.”I had best go now. The idiot is getting out of the hospital, Rupert is avoiding getting into trouble with Joyceln. And Elizabeth is meeting all three with Owen.”
“Owen? SHE’S with Owen?”Angel roared. He was about to bolt out of his bed when Nana Bethie quickly planted her wooden cane against his heart.
“Not that I wouldn’t enjoy the show, Angel. But I think that the sunlight could stop you from beating the boy to a pulp,”Nana Bethie said.”Besides, you shouldn’t worry about Elizabeth. You have other matters to worry about. Has Joyceln or Elizabeth told you about their uncles and cousins from England?”
Angel looked at her warily.”What about them? Only that some of them are coming to the wedding.”
“Not some. ALL. And they all want to see you. And Rupert,”Nana Bethie said as she walked over to the door.”To do some male checking out.”
“All? Male checking out?”Angel repeated. He scowled at her.”How many male cousins are we talking her?”
Nana Bethie smiled brightly at Angel.”Let me just tell you this: I have four living sons. And nineteen grandchildren. And ten great-grandchildren. Elizabeth is the youngest. And other than Joyce, there are no Carruthers that are female. You think about that. See you tonight, Angel.”
Angel smacked his forehead.”I am *so* dust. Now I’m *never* going to make it to the wedding! Maybe Buffy will let me kill Owen as a last request?”
~Fin