Home | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Chapter Sixteen

Riley grabbed Buffy before she went up the stairs to get Eve. He needed to kiss her again. If this was borrowed time, he didn’t want to waste a second of it. The sun was just peeking over the horizon as he opened the door. “A little early for a delivery…” His jaw dropped open. The man standing there didn’t belong here. Not in daylight. Not in that uniform.

“Package, sir.” Angel watched Riley’s reaction carefully. He thought Riley recognized him, but Riley hadn’t said anything yet. Hadn’t closed his mouth yet. So far, so good.

“I need you to sign here.” Angel was holding something out to Riley.

Riley glanced at it. A clipboard. What the hell was going on? Why would Angel be standing there?

“Sir?”

Right. Riley looked down to sign his name and noticed there was something already written there.

Do you know me?

He looked up quickly at Angel. “What…?”

Angel interrupted him. He took the clipboard back and made an adjustment. “You need to sign for both boxes.” Handed it back.

Riley looked down again.

They don’t know. Read the note.

Buffy came up behind Riley, carrying Eve. “Honey, who’s at the…” The sight of Angel in a UPS uniform almost made her burst out laughing. “…door?” Well, this was entirely too bizarre. She took a step towards Angel and was about to say something when he gave her a look that silenced her.

“Mrs. Finn.” Angel couldn’t believe he had just called her that. He wanted to be out of there. Badly.

Riley and Buffy both looked at Angel and then at each other. It was the first time they had heard her addressed that way. It was kind of nice. But weird. Really weird. Especially coming from Angel. Something was definitely wrong with this situation.

Angel cleared his throat. “I have other deliveries…”

“Oh right. Sorry.” Riley reached out to take the boxes. “Thanks. Oh – would you like to come in?”

Angel smiled. “Some other time. Thanks.” As he handed over the packages, he tapped on the note. “Have a nice day.”

Riley looked down as Angel turned to leave. Riley closed the door and started to read.

=====================================================================

They burst out cheering. Graham grabbed Willow and gave her a huge kiss. “You did it! That was amazing. You guys are incredible.”

Willow was on pure adrenaline. “Whoo. That was fun. Angel did great. Riley too! He even remembered to invite him in.” She looked to where Anya was sitting, still in a trance. “Phew. O.k. That was good.”

For the first time in twelve hours, Graham felt like he could breathe. He had gotten up and was pouring himself a cup of coffee when he heard Giles say, “What is that blasted noise?”

Graham’s mind had been wandering and he hadn’t heard his cell phone ringing. He hadn’t been part of a family like this since Walsh died and everything got crazy; he had forgotten he didn’t actually belong here. He pulled out the phone, listened for a minute and then turned to Giles.

Giles asked, “The UPS man?”

Graham nodded. “They want me back at the Base. I think you have some time before they trace you, but be careful. It’s probably not safe to do too much in the program. I’ll try and warn you if they’re getting close.” He headed for the door.

“Wait – what happens now?” Xander asked.

“Nothing. Don’t do anything,” said Graham. “Not until I see what’s happening at the Base.”

They hadn’t noticed Angel appear next to Anya, but he had been there long enough to hear the exchange. He came at Graham. “Nothing? You expect us to just sit here…?”

“You bought us some time; they’re safe for now. Ellis has no interest in keeping them in there; we’ll be doing everything we can to get them out.”

“That’s kind of a different tune than the one you were singing last night,” said Xander. “Now we’re supposed to trust the Army?”

Graham knew Xander was right, but they had come through already; now it was Graham’s turn. “No – trust me. I know what it sounds like. But let me find out what the plan is; if it’s at all questionable, I’ll help you storm the base myself.” He was a bit surprised to realize he meant it.

Giles finally spoke. “He has a point. We’re in no position to get them out; not right now.”

“How long are we supposed to wait?” asked Angel.

Graham had no love for Angel, but he understood the anger behind the question. He had said the same thing to Ellis the night before. “Give me today. I’ve spent the last year trying to keep Riley alive. I’m not going to do anything to change that now.”

“And Buffy?” Angel asked.

“You put her there,” Xander said to Graham. “Why should we believe you’ll be looking out for her too?”

“I know you barely know me, but you know Riley. You know he’d die for her even after what she did to him.” Graham hadn’t meant for that to slip out – being Buffy’s friends, they probably had a different take on the whole situation anyway – but no one challenged it. “Sorry. I just meant… After what you all just did? For the first time since this whole thing started, I actually think he has a chance here. And if he comes out of this and finds out that I’ve done something to hurt her, he’d kill me. Without a second thought.” He looked at Angel. “I have absolutely no doubt.”

Angel nodded. “One day.” He had seen enough of Riley to know Graham spoke the truth. “You have one day.”

Giles asked Graham, “Is there a way we can reach you if necessary?”

Graham wrote down his beeper and phone numbers and handed them to Giles. “And you? Are the phone lines all tied up?”

Anya gave Graham her cell phone number. Giles walked Graham to the door. “This was probably difficult for you. I know how hard it was for Riley to come to terms with the way we do things.”

Graham gave Giles a sad smile. He had understood so little of what Riley had gone through. “Yeah, but Xander’s right; it’s my fault this is all happening. Riley really loved you guys. I’m starting to see why.”

Giles was surprised at how touched he was by that. “Well, we’re fond of him, too. When you see him, please tell him that we miss having him around.”

When, not if. So they thought there was a chance too. “I will, Mr. Giles. I will.”

~~ End of Chapter 16 ~~

Home | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter