TORN

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the characters here. But I want James. I don’t care if he’s 26 years my senior.

Notes: Thank you to RabidReject for your comment. I really appreciate it. IF you meant that a lot happens so fast, then I’ll try to do your advice. I’m not really good at writing, so no promises. Thanks. :D

Chapter 2: For a Moment

I didn’t get to show Buffy Angel’s rides. The incident in the elevator only made things more confusing for her. So she wanted to talk to Fred, wanted answers. She was really confused, as was I. Maybe I could affect people I like.

Fred held out her pen to me. “Concentrate and try to hold the pen for me.”

“Anything for you, pet.” I’ve really gotten used to flirting to Fred that I forgot Buffy was there. She ducked her head and I slapped myself mentally. “Sometimes I shouldn’t just speak.” I mumbled. So I concentrated, real hard I might add, and tried to hold the pen. Nothing really happened. After a few times of trying, I finally gave up. “Bugger this.” I sighed. So did Buffy.

Fred wrote on her clipboard. “I don’t get it. You seem to affect me… and Buffy, but not anything else.”

“What does that mean?” I could see Buffy was getting impatient.

“I don’t really know.” Fred shrugged.

“It’s alright. We could -” I disappeared again.

“Where’d he go?” Buffy looked around the room to find me nowhere.

“He does that sometimes.” Fred looked worried. I wasn’t worried. At least, not yet. But I seem to be disappearing longer…

“Where does he go?”

“I’m not exactly sure. But by what he’s told me, I think he’s being pulled out of this dimension.”

“Pulled where?” Fred smiled slightly at Buffy’s insistent questioning. “I’m sorry. I’m just… this is all hard to process.” She said as she rubbed her temples. Fred smiled sympathetically.

“It’s ok. Angel’s in his office now, if you’d like to talk to him.”

“No, I’m fine here.” She wandered around the room, touching stuff and studying them.

“He’s told me a lot of things about you.”

“Who, Spike?”

“Yeah. He still loves you so much. All he talks about is you. And when he first came here, the first thing he asked about was you.” Fred was babbling now. If I was there, I’d be embarrassed with what she had just babbled about. Buffy smiled to herself as she mused.

--

Buffy then went to the poof’s office.

“How’re you holding up?” Angel handed her a cup of coffee.

“I’m… confused.” She shook her head. Confused doesn’t even begin to cover it. “I really wasn’t expecting this when I came here. I expected chivalry and flirting and then getting the amulet back. Not Spike the friendly ghost.”

“I know… Wait, did you just say flirting?” Buffy laughed. “But I wanted to tell you. I really did. But he asked me not to. ” Angel placed his hand over hers.

“I understand, really. Except I really don’t.” she chuckled warily. He held her hand tighter and she looked at him wistfully. Seemed like they were having a moment. Good thing I popped up there right at that moment.

“Huh. That was nice timing of me.” I smirked. Angel rolled his eyes as he let go of her hand. Buffy shifted uncomfortably.

Angel cleared his throat. “We’ve got a lead on who’s got the amulet. It might take some more time to track him down. Seems like you’re staying the night. We have a spare room…”

“I could accompany you to it.” We both said at the same time. Buffy smiled to herself.

“Angel could show me. Thank you, Spike.” Angel leered. I could smack that smile off him.

--

“This is great, Angel. Thank you.” She smiled as she sat down the bed.

“We’ll get that amulet back tomorrow. Right now, you should get some rest. Must’ve been a long flight from Rome.”

“Ok. Thank you, again.” AN: There used to be the word pompous here but it shouldn't have been here. lol sorry

“Anytime.” He’s such a poof.

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” As soon as he closed the door, I walked in the room.

“Hey.” I waved my incorporeal hand. She just smiled at me and leaned back on the headboard of the bed. For a woman who used to give very long speeches, she seems to be lacking of words lately. But Buffy wasn’t really one to express her thoughts and feelings.

“I should go-”

“No!” I was surprised at the desperation in her voice. “Could you just stay here?”

I hesitated for a moment. But I wasn’t going to pass up the chance to be with her. “Sure.”, I said as I sat on the bed beside her. We were silent for a while. Just feeling the other’s presence. She kept looking at her fingers and I just kept staring at her. “How’s everyone?”

“Fine. Dawn’s going to school again, in Europe. Giles is off somewhere with Xander, finding other slayers… How are you doing?”

“Alright, I guess.”

“Can you smoke?”

“Hm. Funny thing. I can, actually.”

“How’s that work?” she raised one eyebrow at me.

I just shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know. Same way I could touch my coat, I figure.” We shared an amused moment. “You’re not sleepy yet?”

“Actually, I’m exhausted.” She chuckled.

“You should sleep, then.”

She hesitated before answering. “Promise me you’ll still be here when I wake up?” She looked at me with those green eyes that seemed to hypnotize me.

“There’s no where I’d rather be.” She smiled at my assurance but I felt her sadness. She slid down and rested her head on the pillow. She lay down on her side to face me as I followed her movement and then we were face to face. It was utter torture – that she was there, just a few inches from my face, from my body, from me, but I couldn’t kiss her, or hold her.

She whispered goodnight as she closed her eyes. It reminded me of that night, when she’d told me that I gave her the strength she needed to get the scythe and defeat Caleb. It reminded me of the talk we had, the one where she said she was there with me. But I guess it really didn’t matter right now. All I knew was that she was there, and I was happy.

I stared at her while she slept. She looked so peaceful and calm and happy. Things I’ve never really seen her be. She snuggled her hands beneath her chin and at that moment I wanted to hold them. I wanted to feel her. I held out my hand slowly. There’s no harm in trying eh?

At first there was just a spark. Thankfully, it didn’t wake her up. I tried again. And for a moment, I felt her. It was just for a second, but it was enough.

TBC

AN: Review please.