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BtVS & TB
Giles paced his office trying to figure out what to do about Angelus. It would seem one perfect moment of happiness and Angel would lose his soul. It disturbed Giles what exactly that one moment was but that was neither here nor there at the moment. What was done was done and now they all had to deal with the fallout. He felt sorry for Buffy, he really did, but it didn't change the fact that Angel was now Angelus.
He wished he had known about the curse. They had found out after Buffy confided to Jenny Calendar about her confusion of what was going on. When Miss Calendar had finally stopped beating around the bush about what she knew, after poor Willow's fish were killed, they knew to be wary of the demon. At least Jenny was trying to find a spell to send Angel's soul back but had so far been unsuccessful.
Deciding they needed more help than what was available, Giles reached out to someone he should have thought of before. As he dialed the number, he hoped it was a good time and that his contact would have more information for them; he knew it was only a matter of time before the dying would start.
After the third ring, the phone was answered.
"Been a long time, Giles." the voice stated.
"Yes, it has. How have you been?" Giles asked.
"Same as always, what can I do for you, I doubt this is a social call?" was asked.
"I'm sorry, old friend, but we have a serious situation here in Sunnydale and I was hoping you could help shed some light on how to handle it." Giles shared.
"What is so bad that you would call me?" the voice was full of concern.
"Do you know of a demon named Angelus?" Giles asked.
There was a low growl before, "Yes, I am familiar with it. I thought the vampire had his soul and the demon was not a problem any longer."
"Yes, well, it would seem that one moment of perfect happiness releases the soul and the demon takes control once more." Giles informed his friend.
"How long has Angelus been back?" the voice quietly demanded.
"Not quite a week yet." Giles answered.
"Where will you be come sunset tomorrow?" the concerned voice asked.
Giles gave his friend his address and wished him goodnight. It worried him that his friend was so concerned, that wasn't a good sign, not at all.
BtVS & TB
Eric was bored out of his mind as he sat in his booth at Fangtasia. The clientele no longer held any appeal to him and he wasn't in the mood to deal with Sookie. She was beginning to be more of a bother than she was worth. It was fun for the first two weeks but after a month of dealing with the stubborn blond, Eric was tired of her antics. He needed another distraction and soon. Just as this thought crossed his mind, his phone rang.
To say Eric was surprised by the caller was mild, he hadn't heard from Rupert Giles in over a decade. He had met Giles when the young man was training to become a Watcher. They had crossed paths during a trip Eric had made to England to do business. He had been impressed with Giles and his mannerisms; the man was hard to ruffle. However, they had had quite an interesting chat while waiting for a vampire to rise.
Eric had heard about the Watcher's Council and Slayers but had yet to actually meet one so he took advantage of the situation and learned what he could. He had managed to surprise Giles when he finally told him he was a vampire but not the kind the Council and Slayers dealt with. His kind were turned by the sharing of blood, yes, but the maker had to lay in the earth with the possible Child and it would take up to three days for the new vampire to rise; unlike the hellmouth vampires. Also, he was no demon despite what others may think; they both had chuckled. His kind could be cruel and merciless, make no mistake, but most just wanted to live their lives like everyone else. His type were in all walks of life, they had their own hierarchy and police. He admitted he was a Sheriff which had Giles asking many questions.
Eric shared that a stake through the heart and beheading would kill them as well as sunlight. He also told Giles that his kind didn't turn to dust once staked. With a smirk, he explained that they exploded instead and the sun burned them, leaving ashes behind. An invitation had to be given by a person living in the home before entering however, unlike the hellmouth vampires, a simple uninvite was all that was needed to keep them out. Also, his kind were pulled under to their day death by the sun, which was why his kind kept their sleeping quarters a secret from everyone except a select few; once resting, there was no rousting them until the sun set. Of course Eric didn't share that the time the sun had pull lessened the older his kind became, some things needn't be known.
When Eric shared that he could not consume any sort of human food, Giles had been surprised. He amended his statement by saying food and drink could be consumed but they would expel it violently shortly thereafter, therefore, no one of his kind would consume anything but blood. However, he did explain that what the being ate influenced how their blood would taste. His kind would develop a very delicate palate, also, the type of blood made a difference. When Giles just stared at him , Eric smiled, A-B-O, Giles nodded his head in understanding then. The hellmouth vampires could and most did, eat human food but they generally added some blood to make it taste better. When Giles asked about poisons, drugs and alcohol; Eric stated that poisons would weaken him but not kill him and drugs or alcohol only altered the taste of the blood, no other side effects.
Why would he be calling? After a brief conversation, Eric hung up and dialed Anubis Air to book a flight to Sunnydale, California. He told Pam he was leaving and wouldn't be back for a couple of weeks, when she asked why; he told her he would explain after he landed. She was to call him only if it was something dire. When she nodded, Eric took to the air to go pack.
As he was packing enough clothes for several weeks, he also went to his library to gather a few books for Giles to read. He was fairly sure the man had never read them and they would help with Angelus. Once done, he grabbed his bag and drove to the airport. He boarded the plane and relaxed as he refreshed his memory of the demon Angelus.
He could have flown himself but it wouldn't have given him much time to find a place to stay before sunrise. As he considered the situation, he was not happy. Angelus was a vindictive and cruel demon who thrived on tormenting those around him; the more innocent they were the more enjoyment he got. Frowning, Eric wondered who his target was this time. His only encounter with the Gnosha demon was just before he left England. The bastard had targeted a young woman Eric had been fond of and, unfortunately, he had had to let the psychopath go to tend to his friend. However, he had vowed to get even one day and it would seem that day was quickly approaching.
BtVS & TB
After rising for the day and drinking down two bags of donor blood, Eric took flight to find Giles' home. It only took him twenty minutes and when he knocked on the door, a young red-head answered.
"Hello! May I help you?" she asked.
"I am here to see Rupert Giles." Eric answered.
"Giles! Someone's here for you." the red-head shouted.
"Who? Oh, Eric, please come in." Giles invited as he shook Eric's hand. "How was your flight?"
"Well, thank you." Eric answered as he took in all present.
"Good, good. Right, let me introduce you. Eric Northman, I'd like you to meet: Buffy Summers, Willow Rosenberg, Xander Harris and Daniel Osborne or Oz. Everyone, this is Eric Northman, he's here to help." Giles said.
"What are you?" Buffy demanded as she stepped closer to Eric. "You make my Slayer instincts go all wonky."
Eric looked to Giles who gave him a small smile and nod before Eric snicked his fangs down. He caught Buffy's arm without batting an eye.
"A vampire, Giles!" Xander scooted his chair back, ready to stand.
"Giles?" Willow wondered.
"What the hell!" Buffy exclaimed, not used to being stopped.
"As you all can tell, Eric isn't the same sort of vampire you deal with here." Giles explained. "His kind are not demons."
Buffy stepped back and sized Eric up. "Sorry 'bout that." she apologized.
"No worries, I knew that would be your reaction." Eric smiled as he walked to the table. "I have no plans to hurt any of you so long as you do not pose a threat to me." he told those gathered.
"Do you have a soul?" Xander blurted causing Giles to shake his head.
"I do not know, honestly." Eric answered.
"Buffy?' Willow asked.
"Don't ask me! I have no idea." Buffy responded.
"Well, you said he made your Slayer side all wonky. What does that mean?" Willow tried again.
"Damned if I know, never happened before." Buffy answered.
"So are there any other differences between your type of vampire and the hellmouth vampires?" Xander wanted to know.
Eric answered. "A wooden stake through my heart or decapitation will send me to my true death; sunlight will also. Silver weakens me and the sun pulls me to my rest each day." Eric shared. It was nothing they couldn't find out on their own if they tried.
"Do you need an invite to enter a home?" Willow was curious.
"Yes and my type can be uninvited as well, magic will forcefully pull us out." Eric told them. "Also..." he walked over to Giles, who handed him a mirror, "I have a reflection."
Everyone stood and walked behind Eric and nodded when they saw him in the mirror.
"What about crucifixes or holy water?" Xander asked.
"Crucifixes do not bother me and holy water will only wet my person and before you ask, garlic is an irritant due to our sensitive sense of smell." Eric chuckled.
"Cool and your face didn't get all ridgy when your fangs came down either." Willow stated as Eric gave her a nod.
"So you're here to help with Angelus?" Buffy asked.
"I am." Eric told her then handed Giles the books he had brought. "This should help. Angelus is a Gnosha demon."
"How do you know that?" Xander asked.
"Yeah, Giles said the Old Ones made the vampires by giving a human some of their blood, making a hybrid."
"Yes and do you think these Old Ones would use a human as a host when they could walk the Earth without them?" Eric questioned. "Let us not forget that the Hellmouth demons have been around for a very long time. They have battles in their realms just as we do here. Do you believe none meet their true death?"
"Oh, well, I hadn't thought about that." Willow admitted sheepishly.
"The demons that possess the human body after death are varied but the one in Angelus is one of the most vicious and cruel. I did quite a bit of research on the many types of demons after a friend was attacked. The Gnosha demon is among the worst."
"Why didn't you track down Angelus after seeing to your friend?" Xander wondered aloud.
"Sadly my Maker informed me that the demon had taken transport to America and we had not the time to hunt him down, other business needed tending." Eric answered.
"Sorry." Buffy said.
"But why didn't you stop him? You were able to stop Buffy." Xander inquired.
"I arrived too late and had to tend to my friend and no one else was around." Eric stated.
"Couldn't you have called someone?" Willow wondered aloud.
"No, phones were not as prevalent as they are now." Eric answered.
"Oh." Willow said. "Sorry."
"It is alright. My run-in with Angelus was over a century ago." Eric told them.
The next several hours were spent talking about how to deal with Angelus. When Eric learned that it was Buffy he was focusing on, he asked how she was holding up.
"Alright, I guess. I mean, he left me a sketch of myself sleeping on my bed. Then he left an envelope on Willow’s bed and inside was all her fish, dead and tied with string like some sort of sick, twisted necklace." Buffy shared. “He also likes to pop out of nowhere to try to scare me."
"Keeping you on edge?" Eric wanted Buffy to clarify her thoughts.
"Yeah, that sounds right." Buffy answered.
"That is all? Any human deaths yet?" Eric prodded.
"Not yet." Giles answered.
"Then he is just getting started." Eric said as they discussed various ways to capture Angelus before things got any more out of hand.
That night, Eric decided to join the Scoobies and Giles on patrol.
He conversed with Giles as he watched the group dispatch newly risen vampires and was impressed by their teamwork.
"Still a Watcher I see." Eric commented.
"I'm not anymore, no." Giles replied. When Eric raised a brow, Giles explained. "I refused to put Buffy through the Tento di Cruciamentum and they fired me, claiming I had become soft. That I had allowed my feelings to get in the way of doing my duty." When he explained to Eric what the trial was, Eric allowed his disgust to show. "When I told Buffy about it, she quit the Council. She refuses to be their plaything." Giles chuckled.
"They do this to all the Slayers that live long enough and no one has said anything before now?" Eric's disbelief was clear in his voice.
Giles nodded, "Normally, the Slayer isn't told what is going on. She goes to sleep and wakens with weaken abilities, not understanding why they don't have their powers as before."
"I see." Eric was proud Buffy had stood her ground and that Giles refused such a barbaric ritual. The trust that would have been broken if Buffy had ever found out would have been devastating. Eric remembered what Giles had said how the Council handles most slayers and knew all others wouldn't think to question their watcher about something like that.
Their conversation was interrupted by a demon who thought they were easy marks, Eric proved him wrong.
BtVS & TB
After a few hours, they called it a night and Eric decided to walk Buffy home so he could talk with her about Angel.
"So, you're my escort now?" she snarked.
"For tonight, yes." Eric smiled.
"Whatever." Buffy flippantly said but was happy to have company in case Angelus showed up.
"Tell me about Angel." Eric gently demanded.
So Buffy filled him in from the first time she met Angel to when he lost his soul (not going into any detail, her blush was enough) with Eric avidly listening.
"So his one true moment of happiness was with you." Eric stated non-judgmentally.
"Yes" Buffy quietly answered. "I had no clue what had happened until I told Miss Calendar about it. She explained the gypsy's curse, eventually."
"From that moment on, he has tormented you and now your friends?" Eric prodded.
"Yes. I feel so bad over Willow's fish. If I hadn't..." Buffy started only to have Eric cut her off.
"None of this is your fault, understand this now." Eric admonished her. "Anything could have triggered the curse, it just happened to be having intimate relations with you. If Angel is as you have described him, he was not able to allow himself happiness until he gave in to the love you share. This was all on him, Buffy, not you."
"Yeah, well, I still feel bad about it." Buffy stubbornly stated.
"Which is normal but not your fault." Eric soothed. They walked for a bit as Eric thought over possibilities. When he had his run-in with Angelus in England, he had felt an echo of the pull. At the time, he had been too concerned with his friend to think much on it but now, now he wondered if the pull would be there if Angel was at the surface.
"Buffy" Eric called to get her attention.
"Yeah?" Buffy stopped her inner monologue to turn to her escort.
"If there was a way to save Angel and banish Angelus forever, do you think Angel would be interested?" Eric was curious of her answer. He planned to offer to Angel if the spell was done and gave the soul back.
Buffy took several minutes to think over his question before asking a few of her own. She wasn't happy with the thought of Angel being dead dead but couldn't fight the hope that swelled at the thought that they would be able to be together completely.
"I guess we'll have to wait and see if Miss Calendar can recast the spell to put Angel's soul back." Buffy concluded.
"This is me." She added as she stopped in front of her house.
"We will, indeed. Have a pleasant night." Eric said as he watched her slip around the side and start to climb a tree which was just outside a window he suspected was her room. Chuckling, he zipped over to her and tapped her shoulder.
"Yes?" Buffy managed to say without screaming.
"Would you like a hand?" Eric offered and it was only then Buffy realized he was floating off the ground.
"Um, yeah, sure. You can levitate?" Her voice full of wonder.
"I can fly." Eric told her as he wrapped his arms around her waist and shot up into the air. Buffy squealed at the sudden rise and then laughed when Eric smirked at her.
"Cool! Now could you please take me down to my window?" She said with humor in her voice.
"As the lady wishes." Eric replied as he lowered them down slowly and stopped at her window.
"Thank you kind sir." Buffy replied as she stepped into her room. "Good night." she said as she closed her curtains.
"Good night." Eric told her as he flew to his hotel room. Just as Eric was to walk into the hotel, he paused to listen to a conversation that a small group were having. It centered around Angelus and what he had been up to. Eric learned that the next night, the demon had plans to either attack Buffy's mom or attack Jenny Calendar, they weren't sure which one. Apparently, Angelus had been told to attack Buffy's mom but no one knew if he would or do his own thing. Since Angelus knew Miss Calendar was a descendant to the gypsy who had cursed him, Eric was betting that she would definitely be a target. Although attacking Joyce would definitely hurt Buffy, attacking Miss Calendar would as well with the benefit of getting revenge.
BtVS & TB
Eric paced his room the following afternoon. He hated he had to wait for the sun to go down before he could alert Buffy to what he had learned. The only consolation was that Angelus also had to wait and Eric knew he could get to Buffy's well before the demon. However, he would call Giles and let him know about the danger Miss Calendar was in so he could be there to help defend the woman.
When Eric arrived at Buffy's house, she invited him in.
"What's up, Eric?" Buffy asked, seeing the look on his face.
"Is Joyce home?" Eric asked.
"Not yet, she generally doesn't leave the gallery until six or so. Plus, she was going to go to the store before heading home." Buffy informed him. "Why? What's going on?"
"Listen very carefully; I want you to wait outside for your mother. She is in great danger and you may need to protect her from Angelus." Eric shared.
"What?!" Buffy all but yelled.
"I overheard talk of what he has been ordered to do but I am not sure if he will follow through or not. The demon is known for doing what he wants not necessarily what he has been told." Eric told her.
"Okay, gimme a sec." Buffy said as she ran to her room to get her stake. She came back down with a grim look. "Will you be here too?" she asked.
"No, I must assist in protecting Miss Calendar." Eric stated.
"He's targeting her too?" Buffy huffed.
"Afraid he is. She is the descendant of the gypsy that cursed Angelus." Eric explained.
"Huh, well, she's probably more in danger than my mom then." Buffy deducted.
"Not necessarily. Hurting your mother would hurt you the most and that is right up Angelus' way." Eric pinned her with a look.
"Right. Well, I'll just make myself comfy on the porch then." Buffy said as they walked out.
"Call Willow and alert her to lock all doors and windows; also, if she has any protection charms to cast them." Eric warned.
"Actually, Giles found a spell of protection and they tried it on Willow's home earlier today since she's generally there alone most times." Buffy informed Eric.
"Good. Give her a call and let her know to be on the alert, that Angelus is on the prowl to harm tonight, death is in the air." Eric instructed.
"On it." Buffy said as she ran and got her phone so she could call as she stood sentinel at the door.
Eric gave her one last look then took to the air to head to the school where Giles had told him they would be. As soon as he landed, he quickly made his way to the computer lab, her domain, and was in time to pull Angelus off the woman before he could sink his fangs in.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the Viking." Angelus sneered.
"Demon" Eric returned.
"You think you can protect everyone?" the demon taunted.
"I have no need, the rest are well guarded." Eric replied, his face a mask of neutrality.
"We'll just see about that." Angelus sneered as he backed away and then left.
"Is she alright?" Eric eyed the blood on Jenny's neck.
"I'm fine, his fangs hadn't pierced yet just scraped across when you pulled him away." Jenny answered as she took the rag Giles offered her.
"Shouldn't you be going to Buffy's?" Giles asked.
Eric shook his head, "She will be fine until we get you somewhere safe."
"My house, I put a protection spell up so he can't come in." Giles shared.
"Alright." Eric said as he picked Jenny up and carried her to Giles' car. Once in, Giles drove to his home and Eric carried Jenny in, passing the barrier with ease. He felt the magic but it didn't stop him from entering.
When Jenny looked confused, Eric explained, "My kind of vampire has to be verbally uninvited. I am not like the ones you deal with here, remember?"
"Right." Jenny answered as he lowered her into a chair, remembering Rupert explaining his friend. When he turned to leave, she said, "Thank you."
"Yes, yes, thank you, Eric." Giles added.
"You are welcome." Eric replied as he headed out and towards Buffy's house.
"He doesn't speak in contractions, does he?" Jenny commented. She had picked up on his more proper use of the English language the few times she had been around Eric.
"No, he doesn't. He has been around for over a thousand years, before contractions were commonly used." Giles told her.
"Really?" Jenny asked as Giles put a bandage on her neck before bringing her a cup of tea to sooth her nerves. "Yet he knows how to use a computer." Jenny couldn't help saying.
Giles gave her a small smile, "I have no doubt." but refused to be baited any further into the old argument.
BtVS & TB
Eric arrived in time to see Buffy stand between Angelus and her mother on the sidewalk. As he approached, he couldn't help but smirk at the look of determination on Buffy's face. When Joyce saw him, she relaxed minutely. He had met the woman the night before.
"Eric, how are you?" Joyce asked when Eric gave her a minute nod.
"Very well, seems I got here in time for the party." Eric responded causing Angelus to spin around and sneer.
"Don't you have anything better to do than ruin my fun?" Angelus demanded.
"No. I quite like ruining your fun, demon. Run along now, time for you to go home." Eric chided.
"Like you can tell me what to do. I own this town, Viking. You can't save everyone." The demon pontificated.
"No, just the ones I deem worthy." Eric stared the demon down. Angelus actually flinched when Eric took a step forward which caused Eric to smirk unkindly.
All gathered could tell Angelus was weighing his options, finally, the demon decided going up against Eric wasn't worth it but as a parting shot, he looked at Joyce, "You really should keep a better eye on your daughter. I took her virginity a few nights ago but not worth a repeat performance." he sneered before running off.
Everyone stood still for a moment before Joyce found her voice first. "Is that true, Buffy? Did you have sex with Angelus? We need to talk, right now, young lady." Joyce said as she grabbed Buffy's shoulder and marched her into the house.
Just before Joyce shut the door, she turned to Eric, "Thank you for saving us without the need for violence. I appreciate it greatly."
Eric just gave the irate woman a nod as he walked down the sidewalk. Instead of walking away, he went around the house to make sure the argument didn't get out of hand; he had a feeling. It was quiet for a time before voices could be heard. He listened as Joyce became the mother and Buffy became the Slayer which caused the voices to be raised and the argument to become heated.
Eric wasn't surprised when he saw Buffy leave and cringed at Joyce's parting words. Parents tended to not use the brain-to-mouth filter when emotions were so high. Rather than calling out to Buffy, he followed her instead. He had a pretty good idea what she was planning on but if he had anything to say about, she wouldn't be doing it. He would take that step instead of it being on her young shoulders. No one should have to kill the love of their life.
They arrived in time to hear Angelus start chanting. As they both hurried their steps, Buffy still unaware of Eric following her due to so much on her mind and he not being the usual vampire for her, they rounded the corner just as Angelus finished his chant by slicing his hand and smearing blood on a statue.
"You're too late, Slayer! The ritual is done and hell is about to come to this realm." The demon crowed.
"Not if I can help it!" Buffy replied as she engaged Angelus in a sword fight.
The fight took several minutes before Buffy was able to get the upper hand. Just as she was about to lunge forward, shoving the sword into Angelus' stomach, she was pulled back as a strong pale hand wrapped around Angelus’ throat.
“Allow me.” Eric hissed.
“Viking” Angelus growled as he clawed at the hand holding him; getting frustrated that the Viking wouldn't let go or even flinch. It really pissed Angelus off when the scratches healed almost as quickly as he could make them. He didn't heal that quickly so no one else should be able to either.
“I thought you would have learned a century ago to steer clear of those I hold dear.” Eric stated as he held the demon at arm’s length, not allowing Angelus a chance to do much damage to his person. What little he was doing was insignificant. "Or did you think my threat was an empty one?"
Instead of answering, Angelus smugly said, “I thought you would’ve kept your pets on a tighter leash!” as he eyed Buffy.
“She is not my pet.” Eric hissed as he slammed Angelus into the nearby wall. Eric’s other hand had taken the sword from Buffy before she knew it and as Eric held the sword next to Angelus’ neck, Buffy caught him before he could slice.
“Wait!” she exclaimed as she laid a hand on Eric’s bicep. "We need his blood for the portal! It’s the only way to close it.” She hastily explained.
Eric gave a slight nod as he sliced Angelus’ arm long and deep and allowed some blood to coat the blade before flinging it into the portal. As the portal started to close, there was a great wind that tried to pull Angelus into it. However, whatever had caused the wind hadn’t counted on a thousand year old non-demon vampire to be holding the body in place.
Eric wasn’t quite sure who or what was causing the extreme wind but he refused to let go of the demon in his grasp, especially when he saw Angel come to the forefront.
“You have your blood, now be gone!” Eric commanded as he let his power loose for a few seconds.
The wind seemed to stall before making a howling noise as the portal closed.
Buffy stood still as she tried to get her bearings; she had never felt such power off any of the vampires or demons she had killed so far. It was foreign yet comforting at the same time, throwing her off balance until a soft questioning voice got her attention.
“Buffy? Eric?” Angel asked.
“Angel?” Buffy quietly questioned as she took in the vampire’s change in demeanor.
“What’s goin’ on?” Angel inquired.
“You don’t remember?” Buffy asked as she stepped closer once Eric released Angel, knowing the demon was once again caged.
“I…” Angel shook his head and looked around. “The last I remember, Angelus was chanting and sliced his hand.”
“Has this happened before?” Eric was curious.
“No. Normally I remember everything Angelus does. It’s part of the curse, so I feel remorse and guilt from his actions.” Angel explained.
“I see, maybe the portal blocked that part when it opened and then tried to suck you in?” Eric pondered. “Has Angelus ever tried such a ritual before?”
“No.” Angel answered.
“Well, that’s weird, maybe Eric’s right.” Buffy shrugged.
“Yeah, maybe.” Angel agreed.
“So, Eric?” Buffy asked. When Eric cocked a brow, she continued. “Do you really think it would work?”
“There is a strong chance, yes.” Eric replied.
“What? What might work?” Angel looked from Buffy to Eric and back again.
“We think, if Eric drank your blood and gave you his, that the demon would be banished for good and Angelus would have no chance of coming back.” Buffy shared.
“Is that truly possible? How would that work?” Angel asked, hope filling him. He wanted to not have to worry about Angelus ever again. Although he hadn't been the best example of a gentleman when he had been human, he hated the demon Angelus was and the truly evil things he would do when in control.
“I cannot say for sure but I believe if I drained you next to death and fed you my blood, then lay you in the earth as is our way, there is a good chance you would rise as my Child.” Eric explained.
“And Angelus would be gone?” Buffy needed to hear it again. Angelus had caused her so much pain that she wanted this to be true.
“From what I have managed to research, the Gnosha demon Angelus is is only about four centuries old, my blood should be powerful enough to push it out if that is what I instruct my blood to do.” Eric shared. “BUT, let me be perfectly clear, it may not work or you, Angel, could meet your true death.” He clarified.
“Think long and hard if this is a risk you are willing to take.” Eric told Angel sternly. “This is not an endeavor to rush blindly into.”
“Why?” Angel needed to know. “Why would you do this?”
Eric studied the young vampire for a long moment before answering, “Because with your soul, I feel the pull, otherwise I would not offer.”
Angel nodded as he asked about the type of vampire Eric was. He needed to make sure he wasn't exchanging one demon for another, so to speak. “How long do I have to decide?”
“I will be in Sunnydale for at least another week; but you can take as long as you like.” Eric told him as he cut his eyes to Buffy.
Angel noticed and gave a slight nod in acknowledgement before he left to ponder the risks of Eric’s offer versus the benefits.
Buffy looked to Eric, “Do really think it’ll work?” She wasn’t sure how she felt about the possible costs. Fortunately, it was Angel's decision to make, not hers.
“It has its risks but I think so, yes.” Eric answered honestly.
“Will you know?” Buffy asked, not sure still of the differences of the hellmouth vampires versus the supernatural vampires.
“Without a doubt.” Eric answered.
“What will you do if he agrees and Angelus is there instead of Angel? Won’t your blood, like, make him stronger?” Buffy had to know.
Eric sighed, “I will send him to his true death, banishing the demon from this realm. I am and always will be considerably stronger than Angelus.”
“Okay” Buffy replied quietly.
Eric placed an arm over her shoulders and pulled her into his side as he guided her out. He led her towards her house but Buffy wasn’t really paying any attention, trusting Eric.
“Why are we here?” Buffy wondered as she remembered her mom’s last words as she glanced towards her former home.
“It is where you live, is it not?” Eric asked.
“Not anymore.” Buffy answered dejectedly.
Eric stared at her, “Mom told me not to come back.” She shared.
“I heard the argument and can you honestly tell me you have never said anything you have regretted to someone?” Eric prodded.
“Well, yeah, but you didn’t see her face, Eric. She meant what she said.” Buffy shared.
“If your mother truly meant her words, I will help you pack; but, I want to make sure it wasn’t a heat-of-the-moment statement.” Eric told Buffy as he gently tightened his hold and steered her to the door.
As Buffy stepped over the threshold, Joyce all but ran from the kitchen to embrace her daughter.
“Oh Buffy! I am sooo sorry! I didn’t mean it! I was just so scared and worried. I didn’t think before speaking!” Joyce admitted. “Are you okay?” she asked as she looked Buffy over before noticing the man outside. “Eric?”
“Joyce” Eric greeted with a nod.
“He wanted to make sure I still had a home.” Buffy admitted.
“Oh. Oh! Thank you.” Joyce said with unshed tears in her eyes.
“You are welcome. I will bid you ladies a good night.” Eric said as he turned to leave.
“Wait, would you like to come in?” Joyce invited.
“Thank you but I believe the two of you have a bit of talking to do.” Eric smiled and gave a small bow before taking flight which caused both females to chuckle.
“Well, he knows how to make an exit.” Buffy chuckled.
“That he does.” Joyce agreed. “Now, why don’t we get some rest and we’ll talk in the morning.” she suggested.
“Okay” Buffy agreed. It had been an emotionally fueled night and she really didn’t want to talk at the moment.
“I love you, Buffy. You know that, right? We'll work through this, okay?” Joyce hugged her daughter tightly before walking with her up the stairs. Just before parting, Joyce hesitantly asked, “You will be here in the morning, right?”
Buffy took a moment as she considered things. Her mom wasn’t mad anymore, well as mad anyway, and seemed to really want to work through everything. So Buffy nodded her head, “Yeah, mom, I’ll be here.”
At her mom’s relieved smile Buffy knew her thought to pack and leave after entering her room was no longer something she wanted to do.
~Fin~