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| Becoming III | |
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"Angel!" The girl fell to her knees sobbing and holding her head. The feeling of betrayal, confusion, and of pain echoed through her soul. But it was not with her that these feeling originated. She could feel him, without being there she knew what had happened. The Whistler knelt beside her concerned. He knew that they shared a connection. She had known when Angel had lost his soul. But then she had acted as one grieving for a lost friend. Now Paula, also know as Callista from her past was an animal in pain. "Angel, oh Angel" she sobbed. She shuddered from the cold that had entered her soul.
"What is it?" The Whistler demanded holding her shoulders to steady her.
"She did it she sent him to hell. But he was Angel again when she did it. Not Angelus! He had his soul back and she still sent him to hell!" The Whistler fell back in shock and confusion. He watched as her expression shifted from one of pain and grief to one of anger and hatred. "I'll kill her!" Paula cried, "She'll pay for what she did!" Then suddenly her ranting ended and the tears once again streamed down her face. "Look at me," Whistler commanded, "tell me what you felt." "He had her beat, he was about to kill the Slayer, I could feel his triumph. Then something happened she began to overwhelm him. Then something else happened. The curse was restored. He was so confused, and she told him to close his eyes and she stabbed him and sent him to hell. I could feel the betrayal he felt. And now I feel his pain. His torment, the guilt that he feels in hell. I can still feel him!" She lifted her head and the Whistler could see the torment in her eyes. "I can still feel him." "Listen to me, I'll make it all right. Just do what I tell you." The Whistler went to his kitchen and opens a cabinet. He takes out a pill and dissolved in the tea that he was making. Here drink this," he said handing her the cup, "this will help calm you down." Paula took the cup and drank the tea. Soon she was sound asleep. "Sorry 'bout that kid," he whispered, "but I can't having you turning into a homicide maniac. I need time to plan." He carried her to couch and set her down, he placed a cover over her and left locking the door from the outside. He went to the mansion and found Acathla a stone statue and found the sword Angelus had used in fighting Buffy. Evidence of the nights carnage were everywhere.. A broken table, broken glass. You feel the pain around you. The Whistler went up to the statue and place his hand on it. "I'm sorry it turned out this way Angel," he whispered.. When he got back to house, Paula had woken up and was quite angry about having been drugged. "What the hell did you were doing drugging me like that?" she demanded. "Hey," he replied "you gave me no choice. You were like psycho-girl. I couldn't chance you running off and doing something hasty." "I can't just sit here. I can't stand it. I feel his pain every second of every of every hour. I've gotta do something.. Please just out of my way and let me do what I have to do." "Sorry no can do" Whistler placed himself between and the door. "Then you give me no choice" Suddenly Paula was a blur of speed. With single leap she soared over Whistlers head, kicking him from behind. But Whistler with super-human speed, grabbed her foot and pulled her out of the air. Paula landed with a painful thud. "You don't understand," she begged, "I can't live like this. You can't imagine the pain." "I'm going to help you" he said, "But we're to do this my way, the right way. Right even as speak, Buffy is leaving leaving Sunnydale. We can't let her do that. We need her help in this" "I don't want her help or need it. I'm going to make her pay for what she did to Angel and to me" "She doesn't even know you exist Callista" "Don't call me that . Only Angel ever called me that! Only Angel understood! He's the only one who could ever understand." She cried tears once again flowing down her face. "Don't forget who found in the gutter, almost dead. I brought you hear and I've taken care of you all this time. I care, remember.?" He grabbed by the shoulders and shook her trying to knock some sense into her. Paula easily shook off his grip and stood glaring at him, her eyes beginning to glow. "All right" she said, her anger cooling once more, "we'll do this your way for now. I owe you for saving life and taking care of me. But I also owe Angel, We always knew what was in the others heart. I was glad when he found Buffy. She treated him good and made the guilt a little more bearable. But then she turned on him. I'm not gonna let her just walk away from this. We'll bus and she'll help us or I'll see to it its last thing she ever does." Buffy was riding out of Sunnydale trying to escape the nights events. They were about three miles out of town when the bus suddenly jolted to a stop. The doors opened and she couldn't believe it. There stood the Whistler and behind him a girl she had never seen before. The girl looked to be between the ages of 16 and 18. But the expression in her eyes chilled Buffy the core. There was an anger, a hate, an indescribable pain there. Something that didn't belong in the eyes of a girl so young. "Get off the bus Buffy" Whistler commanded, "you can't run away from this and I won't let you." Completely astonished Buffy obeyed, grabbed her suitcase and left the bus. The second she was off the bus the floored and left the weird people behind. Recovering Buffy demanded "What the hell are doing here?" It was then the girl spoke up. "We're fixing the mess you made. You ought to be nicer to Whistler because he's the only the keeping me from killing you." "Oh wow you're going to hurt me" Buffy said sarcastically. "Not even the Slayer can defeat me. Oh yes I know Slayer," Paula said responding to the shock in Buffy's' eyes, "you have messed with the wrong person and you will pay for your crimes." So fast that Buffy didn't even see her coming Paula had thrown her to ground punching and kicking. Buffy was dumbfounded. But that was nothing to look on Buffy's' face when Paula began to chant her spell. However before she could complete it Whistler slapped his hand over Paula's' mouth and pulled her off Buffy, fighting to get her under control. Buffy scrambled to her feet and stood there panting and regarding the girl who had almost killed her. "Who are you?" She demanded. "I'm a friend of Angels'. I have been there for him before even you, Slayer" Paula spat. "Why do you hate me so much? Whistler again slapped his hand over Paula's mouth to stop the obscene comments that Paula was sure to make. "Buffy, without meaning to or knowing it you've caused her a lot of pain. Not even I realized the pain this would cause her. For now we're going back to Sunnydale and meet with your Watcher. We're going to get Angel out of hell." Three hours later Giles, Willow, Xander, and Cordelia were gathered in the library and it was time to explain what had happened. They all looked at Paula with acute interest and even concern because she was almost always crying. "Buffy," Whistler said, "you should go first" Buffy filled them in on the previous nights events and was sobbing herself by the time she had finished her story. When Buffy began to cry Paula looked at her with complete contempt, disgust and hatred. "But" Giles began "that doesn't explain you or Paula for that matter" Buffy responded with "He's a good demon sent down to settle the score between good and evil." "Yeah that's right and I'm the one who put Angel back on his feet. I found him in an alley living off rats and starved to death. I made him what he was until they got on with the smoochies." "That clears who you are up but says nothing 'bout your friend here or-" Xander began but was interrupted by Willow. "Buffy didn't Xander tell you that I was trying the curse again?" "No, He told me that you said to kick his ass" All eyes turned to Xander. "You you're as much to blame as that b**** is!" Paula raged. "You put your jealously ahead of what was right. Oh yes Angel told me about you Xander," she continued to rant, "But he was glad that Buffy had you to look after her when he couldn't be there, he never thought that you would betray him like this." The Whistler grabbed her shoulders ordering her to calm down. "I hate them both! Why should I calm down?" "How could you Xander?" Willow asked tears coming to her eyes. Oz picked that moment to walk in. They quickly filled him in on what had happened. Xander appeared to shrink before his eyes. "I'm sorry, I really am" Xander appealed to the group. "It doesn't matter right now,"Giles interrupted, "Tell us what Paula has to do with this" I've known Angel since he was Angelus. That's right I'm over two hundred years old. You're gonna love this,"she said with an ironic pain filled smile, "I'm part Vampire" "Part?" Giles asked. "Yes, I was made by the Master, but before he could complete the process a Slayer interrupted. I managed to get away. He killed the Slayer. I drug myself to an alley and passed out. I didn't die, but I spent the next three days unconscious. I underground in a bed and Angelus was standing over me. I tried to get up but he pushed me back down. He forced a red liquid down my throat. That when I noticed a dead boy lying on the ground at Angelus' feet. Then it dawned on me that the liquid was blood. I began to cry in anger and fear. I didn't want to hurt anyone. For an evil vampire Angel was kind to me. He told me what I was and what had happened. The Master had not succeeded in making me a full vampire. This was the first time that such a thing had happened. I was different than other vampires. The cross I wore did not burn, I could go out during the day. I don't even need to drink blood that often. Only when I'm extremely weak. They couldn't make me a whole vampire for reason to this day I don't understand." "What happened next?" Oz inquired, "Why didn't they kill you" "The Master and Darla wanted to, but Angel stopped them. I don't know why but he took care of me. Actually I know why at least partly why he was nice to me. We were connected. We understood each other completely. I could feel what happened to him and vice versa.. Then about two months after I was made a vampire, he was cursed I was with him when it happened. Actually about 3 miles away, but I could feel that something was wrong and run till I reached his side. I reached him just after the gypsy left." Her voice took on a compassionate, gentle note. "He was shuddering and shaking when I found him. On his knees. I sensed the difference in him immediately. We stayed there for about an hour. I just sat beside him and held him. I tried to make the pain ease, but not even I could do that for him. That night we fled. We came to America were we hid from the others. I stayed with him night and day. So I knew no more about the world outside than he did. We were starving when the Whistler found us. He showed us Buffy and that made Angel turn his life around. He began to work to make the world a better place. I've remained with the Whistler during the last two years. But Angel would come see me almost every day. Until he lost his soul." "What happened then?" Oz gently prodded. "I went to see him a couple times. I begged him to stop but he wouldn't. Then she sent him to hell. You can't understand it. I feel his agony , his suffering and its your fault" Paula passed judgment pointing at Buffy and Xander. "I know a little of the black arts. I could make you suffer unbearable pain. But for now I need you're help. We're getting Angel out of Hell." "Hey are you all right?" Xander asked, "You don't look so good" "I don't need your con-......" Paula's eyes rolled up in her head and she suddenly passed out. Oz and Willow caught her before she hit the floor. Whistler looked at her in pity. "She's one of the strongest creatures on the face of this Earth. But this is killing her. If we don't get Angel back I'm afraid this I going to kill her." He looked at Giles while this sank in. "I'll get my books" Paula was resting in Giles' office. They had long since set up a couple of cots for the long nights when they needed a break.. She had been unconscious for somewhere around three hours. Her face was pale and her eyes had dark circles under them. "If she doesn't wake up soon I'm going to have to get some blood for her" Whistler commented. "She hates it, but, she's really weak and I don't know what else to do. I'll be back in a few minutes. I have to go break into a blood bank" No one said anything as he left. They took turns watching the half-vampire while he was gone. Xander was on watch when Whistler returned. "Is she awake yet?" "No she hasn't even twitched" Xander replied, "She has every right to hate me. But I didn't realize the price that would have to be paid. I really screwed up." "You sure did kid. Now move so I can feed her. She'll wake up cranky because she hates being a vampire . You don't want to be in the room when that happens." Xander departed quickly and Whistler lifted up her head and poured the red liquid down her throat. He waited several minutes and she began to stir. She opened her eyes and looked around the room. Then here eyes narrowed. "You fed me blood," she accused "Why?" "You would have died if I hadn't" She sat up and stretched. "I still feel weak. But I guess that won't go away till we get Angel back.. How are we doing on that one?" Just then they heard Giles exclaim "I found it!" Whistler and Paula raced into the main library. "Do mean that you found a way to get Angel out of hell?" Paula asked. "Yes I have and we can start right away. Though I must warn you, this will be difficult and possibly painful." "What do I have to do?" Paula asked. "You," Giles elaborated, "will have to go into hell after him. But the painful part of this is that the one who sent Angel to hell, that is Buffy, will have to stab you with the mate to sword that pierced Angel. That will send you into hell. The way back can only be found from inside. But its said something about trust and hope being the key." "Do you really think we should take that kinda of a chance. Is it worth it?" Xander broke in. "Listen to me, you little worm," Paula rounded on him, "you're part of the reason Angel is in hell and its worth it to me and I suspect that its worth it to Buffy and Willow and Oz and Giles. You'll have to face the consequences later, but right now we need you're help." Paula looked into his eyes and saw the remorse and her tone softened. "Look you said you were sorry for what you had done. This is your chance to prove it and to start making up for your mistake." Her eyes filled with tears as she regarded him "Please, I'm begging you." She whispered. Xander closed his eyes and sighed. "All right lets get started." In an hour the preparations were ready. Buffy had retrieved the sword and Paula stood ready to go after Angel. Buffy looked at the girl before her. "I can't thank you enough-" Paula looked her coolly in the eye. "I'm not doing this for you I'm doing it for him. Lets get this over with." Paula closed her eyes and waited. "I'm ready." Buffy did not drag it out. Mercifully she struck quickly and ran out of the way. Behind Paula a vortex open and swallowed her. The others looked on in silence and began to pray. Paula was in pain from the moment the sword pierced her. She looked around and found herself in hell, it was worse that she could have imagined. She worked quickly trying to track down Angel. She followed her senses and she soon found Angel. The torture that hell had worked out for him was being doused with holy water and constantly seared with a cross. Paula quickly shoved the demon that was torturing him away and stood between them. When the demon saw the look on her face he turned and fled. Immediately Paula turned her attention toward Angel. Weak as a child her collapsed into her arms. "Callista?" He whispered weakly. "I'm here." She answered tears of compassion and pity streaming down her face. "It can't be. You're on Earth. The demons are just playing another game." Angel was struggling to remain conscious. "Angel, my love look at me," Callista turned his face toward her, "look at me. Trust your senses. You know its me, you can feel it." Angel looked deep into her eyes and a weak smile lit his face. "Callista, you came for me. But how?" He brushed her hair from her face and put his hand to cheek seeking the peace and comfort that she brought him. "Sshh," Callista whisper pressing a finger to his lips. "I'm going to get you out of here. That's all the matters right now." "I know you will. I trust you." Callista leaned toward him and kissed his lips in a lingering kiss of mercy, love, and compassion. "Just hold on." "Callista...I....." Angel never finished his sentence. Days of torment had weakened him and he passed out. Slowly Callista noticed a change behind her. She turned and saw another vortex forming behind her. She was extremely strong and lifted Angel to her shoulder with ease. "Hold on my love, we're going home." Bracing herself she ran through the vortex. When Callista came out the other side. The others were waiting right were she had left him. When Buffy saw Angel being carried by Callista her heart raced in fear. "Paula, is he...." "No just very weak. The sun's coming up. I'd better get him into the back room." With infinite gentleness she carried him in and laid him on the cot. When the others started to follow Whistler stopped them. "Angel needs to rest. And they need time alone." For three days Angel remained unconscious and during that time Callista rarely left his side and then only when it was absolutely necessary. She fed him and took care of the many wounds he had sustained. Xander brought in her food three times a day. Now that she had Angel back the blackness in her soul was beginning to dissipate and found the strength for understanding and maybe someday even forgiveness. She was sitting in a chair next to Angels' bed holding his hand when he began to wake. Callista awoke at his first movement. "Angel, come on you can do it. Come back to me. I love you and I need you with me. Please wake up." His eye lashes fluttered and slowly he opened his eyes. "Callista" he whispered. "I'm here." She answered stroking his forehead while still holding his hand. "Its all right I'm here. You're safe now and you're going to be all right." Now becoming more awake he scanned the room around him. "Where am I?" "You're at the school, in the library. You've been here for the last three days." "Three days!?" Angel asked becoming alarmed. "Sshh. Easy now just rest. You're very weak from your injuries. You've been asleep these three days. Do you remember what happened with Buffy?" "Parts of it. But some things are still blank." He had closed his eyes but suddenly they snapped open. "She was the one who sent me to hell!" He tried to rise. Callista pushed him down as easily as if she were knocking over a child. "Angel! Stop, lie down." Callista held him by the shoulders trying to calm him. "Just rest it will come back to you when you're stronger" "Callista....." "Just rest my love, regain your strength. We'll straighten this out when you're stronger." Callista touched his cheek and pressed her lips to his. He look at her beginning to relax and to fade back to sleep. When she was sure he was asleep, she went out into the main library and told them that Angel was awake. Buffy wanted to see him but Callista grabbed her arm, stopped her. "You can't go in he needs to rest. Seeing you right now will only upset him more than he already is. All he remember is that you sent him to hell." "Then that's why I have to see him, I need to explain!" Buffy started toward the room again. Callista stepped in front of her angry now. "He needs to rest dammit! He's in enough pain right now. It will come back to him when he's stronger. He doesn't need more to deal with and if you care about him at all you'll give him some peace." Callista turned and stalked back into the room. The Whistler look at Buffy and then followed Callista into the room. Slowly day by day Angel regained his strength two weeks later he was allowed out of bed. And as his strength returned, the memories cleared. Finally Callista as they now knew her permitted Angel to speak to Buffy. "Angel I-" "Please. Don't" Angel pleaded with her. "I can't stay. I've gotta leave at least for a while. I need to heal and so do you. Please don't make this any harder." Unable to speak Buffy just nodded and walked away. One week later, still weak but now able to return home with Callista and the Whistler, Angel said his good-byes briefly and they left. Slowly Angel began to heal emotionally. Callista was there with him every step of the way and they grew closer. One day they were walking at night when Angel stopped her with a hand on her arm. He was still weak so Callista stopped thinking he needed to rest. But Angel placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her to him. He kissed her lips long and hard. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer until the entire length of him pressed against her. When they parted Angel took her hand. "I've been a fool. I've been looking for something good and it's been here in front of me the whole time." He looked deep into her emerald eyes and touched her Strawberry blond hair. Compared to him she small at only 5'5". "I want you Callista. I need you with me. I love you." "Angel......I love you too. I want you and I need you with me so much. I love you." Again they kissed passionately. They had been walking in a deserted part of town and were standing near a building. Angel turned Callista toward the wall, almost pinning her to it. He kissed her again. "We were meant for each other Callista" he whispered. "Now we know it" He took her hand and they walk off together into the night | |
