DISTRIBUTION: No one should post this fic on their site, even if they have my stuff already.
RATING: PG
AN: Based on Homer's "The Illiad"
Prologue
The second the bell rang, books got slammed and feet started to stomp outside classrooms and then locks started to turn and lockers started to open. Cell phones started to ring, and kids started to chat but the second Doyle and his girlfriend, Cordelia, started to walk down the hall, all anyone at Darren Star High School could do was stare at the very attractive couple. He had brown hair, and blue striking eyes and she with dark brown hair and tall legs, looked like a match found in heaven.
Every time they would walk down the hallways people, would stop and stare at them. Doyle and Cordelia were two of the kindest people around, making them some of the most liked people in school. People saw them as living in this world full of blessed love. Nobody really knew them just admired them from afar.
When Doyle and Cordelia passed their rounds of admires, he looked over at his girlfriend who had an amused look in her eye. She smiled happily at him, moving her head slightly and then skipped over to her locker and draping her bag on the floor.
�So�� she said as she dialed her locker combination. � What are we doing today?� She looked over at him through her reflection in the mirror she held in her locker, and he grabbed her hip and twisted her around so she was pushed against him through her locker.
�Well, I was thinking after the game we could go back to my place. What do you think?�
Cordelia narrowed her eyes at him and glowered, �Get you mind out of the gutter, honey.�
He smiled lovingly at her and released her from his grasp, �Whenever I am around you it�s all I can think about babe.�
She rolled her eyes at him and pulled her books out of her gray locker and once she put her books inside her bag she looked back at him. �Seriously, what do you want to do today after the game?�
�Well,� he said as he draped an arm around her and started walking down the school hallway. �Well beat Whedon, and then we�ll go to my place.�
Cordelia slapped his shoulder, but laughed at the same time.
***
Spike walked down the bright white hallways of Joss Whedon High School with a confident smile on his face. He knew people liked to look at him and he knew he had the most power in the school, and he was sure as hell not going to be ashamed of it. He smiled slyly at girls and nodded his head in a cool manor at. And to geeks, well he just sneered and laughed at them.
He walked towards his locker when he saw Angel standing right in front of it, his eyes narrowed. His faces said leave me alone and his demeanor read �You�re going to die.� Spike just smiled evilly; he loved when Angel was pissed and this time he knew exactly why.
�Hey, Angel.�
Angel glared at him and then held up a flyer in his hand. �What the hell is this?�
Spike gave a look at it and then started twisting the lock to his locker. �A flyer, Angel.� Spike said sarcastically.
�No, really?� Angel said sarcastically, while glaring at Spike before shoving it into his chest, �Its bull and you know it.�
�A flyer saying we are going to win Starr in a football match and then a party afterwards. It�s not the end of the world, man.�
Angel sneered at him before shoving him against the locker and pulling at his light blue polo shirt. �A party, which is being held my house! Don�t be an idiot, and don�t pull a stunt like that again!� Angel let go of him and then started walking down the hallway.
Spike stood up and smoothed his shirt and looked down the hallway to were Angel�s retreating form was walking, �You�ll regret that!�
But Angel just ignored him.
Chapter 1
It�s Just a Game
Doyle was pulling on his armor for the game, watching his friends do the same thing. The coach had just came in and yelled at them that if they did not win against Joss Whedon High then they would regret it, big time. How, he had no idea.
�Doyle!�
Doyle looked up at the mention of his name and saw Gunn walking towards him. He raised his hand in a high five gesture and Jake slapped it.
�You ready for the game?�
Doyle looked at him and started once again to add his shields, �Like every other time.�
�Man, this isn�t just any other game this Joss Whedon, we hate Joss Wheon. We despise Joss Whedon.�
Doyle rolled his eyes at him and pulled his jersey over his head. �It�s just a game against another high school, which we are going to beat.�
Gunn started at him incredulously. �Say it with me; we hate Joss Whedon High School. We want to kill Joss Whedon High School.�
Doyle started tying his laces to his shoes and looked over to his friend. �We spend so much time hating them, and we don�t even know why. So what�s the point? Their just any other high school.�
�Man, you take all the fun out of everything. Why do you have to be so mature about things? The hate makes the game against Whedon so exciting. It�s the passion, man. Passion. Do ya feel it?�
�I got enough passion for Cordelia,� Doyle said as he put his feet on the ground and looked over at Gunn.
�Yeah, yeah. Doesn�t every guy with a dick.�
Doyle pushed Gunn�s shoulder and scowled at him. �Ha Ha, very funny.�
The crowd roared as Darren Starr High School football team came running out of their dressing room. The stadium where the game was being held was pack filled with people from both High Schools. Both schools hated each other vigorously. Nobody actually knew why, all they knew was that once they had entered their certain High School, they were against other.
Buffy watched in anticipation in the crowd. She was new to the school. Sophomore, and new. She had never seen a crowd so excited before. She had been to football games before and watched Starr kick butt, but she had never seen such enthusiasm from the crowd before. The minute she had entered Star she knew nothing, expect that Darren Starr High School hated Joss Whedon and vice versa.
The Whedon High School team came running out of their dressing room and Buffy was not sure if she heard more cheers or boos. But she was sure she saw a tomato flying into the stadium and splashing on the ground. She made a disgusting face before seeing the last player come out of the dressing room. And omigod, he was gorgeous. Her eyes turned wide as she saw him walk out rather than run like the rest of his team. He had his helmet on but she could tell even without it that he was beautiful. And even with all his padding on she could tell he had an amazing body.
�He�s a hottie isn�t he?�
Buffy jumped at the sound of Cordelia�s voice and looked at her with her frightened green eyes. �Cordelia!�
�What? Just because I hate the school doesn�t mean that I can�t observe the fact that Angel is a very good looking man.�
�Angel?�
�Yup, Angel.�
�What about Doyle?� she said as she watched Angel sit down on the bench and put his mouth guard inside his mouth.
�What Doyle doesn�t know won�t hurt him,� Cordelia said smiling at her.
Buffy looked over at Cordelia with astonished eyes and blushed a deep red. �Cordelia!�
***
The game to be described was, violent. Every guy had been pushed, hurt, bruised at least twice in the game. Once the halftime started and the cheerleaders started doing their dance, Faith had run down the stairs of the arena to her older brother. He was sitting on a silver bench Gatorade in one hand, his helmet in the other. She watched as he spit blood to he ground and she made a disgusted face.
�Angel!�
He turned his face to look at her, the rough hard look on his face disappeared, and a soft, loving look came on it. Well, best it could through the black eye that was forming.
�Hey,� he whispered as she watched her take his helmet and put it on the ground.
�You have to be more careful out there!� She glowered at him. �You�ll make yourself get hurt!� She took a white towel and ignored the leer that one of the guys on the football team sent her. She laughed at Angel�s look. �Stop glaring, Larry knows better.�
He looked at her and glared at her to. �Well, stop glaring at me to! It�s not like I can help that I�m beautiful,� she smiled at him.
He just kept glaring, Faith just laughed.
She wiped the blood off his forehead and put a bandage on his arm. When she was done, she saw her brother looking into the stands. His eyes were narrowed in deep thought and burning into. She turned her head to see who he was looking at and saw a short blonde girl, smiling and blushing at the same time. She was also sitting next to Cordelia, queen on Starr.
�Angel�� she said quietly. But before she could get anything else in, the horn shrieked into the stadium, telling everyone halftime was over. Angel got up swiftly ready to play again.
�Be careful, kay?� Faith whispered.
He gave her a half smile and winked at her. ��Course.�
Angel ran up to the line of scrimmage, standing in the back waiting for the ball to fall into his hands. He watched as his fellow players lined up as well and waited for his call. He looked at the eyes of the other team, and then shouted into the hushed field. �28, 10,, 49. Hut!� The ball went straight into his hands and he watched behind his helmet as the football team from the other school tried to push their way to him, but the people on his team pushed hard back.
He moved back a little and the shining light of the lamp burned into his eye. He closed his eye tightly and saw someone large coming to him. He moved at of the way and started running as fast as he could. He ran with all his might and when someone came close to him, he just pushed them away. He heard someone yelling his name but ignored it. He moved faster and faster and faster when he heard a huge noise. It was the horn.
He turned around and saw people on the ground and people from the other team seething mad. He had run to a touch down. He had won it. At least that part anyways. He looked at the stadium and saw that people from Whedon were jumping up and down in happiness and people from Starr were just as upset as the people on their football team.
He looked around the people from Starr and saw a girl looking at him. It was like in slow motion as his eye connected to hers. Everything stopped, everyone disappeared, and the lights that were burning his eyelids before started to dim. All he saw was the girl. He was not sure if she was smiling or not, all he knew was that she was beautiful. It was the same girl as before. The one that had made him feel like she was touching his soul. She gave him a half smile before blushing and turning away and started talking to a girl sitting next to her, whom had her eyebrows raised at him.
He turned away quickly and saw his team charging at him.
***
Faith walked slowly out the stadium as people from her school cheered in victory at the fact that they beat Starr. She saw some people from Starr walk out upset, and walk to their cars. She leaned against one of the polls that held the electricity, waiting for her brother to come out of dressing room. She felt someone come behind her and breathe on her neck. She turned around but no one was there.
She shook her head. �Get a grip, Faith,� she whispered to herself. She wrapped her arms around herself, when she felt like someone was watching her. She breathed in panic. �Ha ha, Angel. You scared me. You can come out now.�
But no one came. �Angel!� Faith yelled out. But he did not come out.
She felt someone grab her by the waste. She started to yell but he put a duck tape on her mouth and her eyes widened in fright. She started pushing and yelling but she could not do anything but be scared as she felt herself be taken away from the football stadium.
***
�Hey!� Angel yelled at some passing people one the sidewalk. �Have you guys seen Faith?�
They shook their head and continued to walk on. He started walking back to the stadium when he saw Spike walking fast towards him. His eyes pointed at him.
�Angel!� Spike said as he came towards him. �I found this in the dressing room. It�s from Starr.�
Angel read the note before crushing it in his hands and letting it drop to the muddy ground. He walked away leaving Spike behind. Spike smiled sly at his disappearing form before walking behind him.
The note read:
Come out, Come out wherever you are.
Chapter Two
Doyle and Cordelia walking into the Starr�s club and smiled at everyone; they both sat a table filled with some of their friends. Doyle took Cordelia�s hand in his when he felt Ben, the president of Darren Starr High School tap his shoulder.
�Hey, man. What�s up?� he said slapping his shoulder. He was met with Ben�s serious gaze. �What?�
�I found something behind the club.�
�What?�
Ben moved his head a little. �Me and uh Ben, were going to head out for a sec, kay?� he said to everyone at his table. They shook their head a little, and smiled.
�Don�t do anything naughty guys!� someone yelled.
Doyle rolled his eyes before kissing Cordelia lightly on the lips and turning around to follow Ben to a blocked off part of the club were only a few people were aloud in. Ben looked around before getting out a key and opening the door. Doyle walked in quickly with Ben close behind him. What he was met with was not something he wanted to see.
�What is she doing here?� Doyle said turning around to Ben.
�I don�t know, man. I found her gagged and tied up behind the club. I brought her in here.�
Ben looked over at Angel�s sister. He shut his eyes tightly. �What the hell are we supposed to do with her?!�
�Man, I don�t know! I just found her.�
Doyle looked over at Faith before speaking gently to her, �Are you okay?�
Faith flinched at the sound of his voice talking to her. She looked away, before looking at the eyes of Ben and then moved quickly back to Doyle�s. �I just want to go home,� she said quietly, begging herself not to cry.
�I don�t know-� Doyle started but got cut off by Ben.
�There was a note with her,� he said taking it out of his pocket. He handed it to Jake who read it.
Meet us at the beach shore at 1:00
�They sit us up,� Doyle said looking at Ben.
�Yeah, they did.�
Faith looked at Doyle and then Ben. �What do you mean sit you up?! You guys stole me! Why would anyone in my school try to give me away to- to the school we hate?!� Her eyes turned huge in shock. Why would anyone want to send her away?! To this school! Why would Angel allow it?!
�Look, Faith, right?� she nodded her and Doyle kept on talking. �I don�t know what�s going on but just stay here, kay.�
Faith looked at Doyle and she felt tears well up in her eyes and looked away quickly. �Kay, uh okay.�
Doyle turned back to Ben, �We have to go if we are going to be able to meet up with whoever sent this note.�
Ben nodded his head towards Faith. �What about her?�
�I�ll leave Cordelia with her, or whoever, we just need to make sure she isn�t left by herself.�
�What! You don�t trust me?!� Faith shouted furiously.
�No.�
Faith glared at him. �Fine.�
�I�ll be right back, if she tries anything, knock her out.�
�What! If my brother hears this he is so going to kick your butt!�
The door slammed shut.
***
Angel stalked towards where he saw the people from Darren Starr sitting on the sand. He saw Doyle stand up, seeing him approach, but all Angel could think about was how he had taken his sister. He took hold of Doyle�s throat and raised his almost an inch from the ground.
�Where the hell is my sister?!� He growled out.
He felt his friends try to hold on to his hands and pull him but all Angel could see was red. He squeezed tighter to Doyle�s throat and glared at the boy. �Where is she?!�
Doyle tried to choke something out, but he could barely breathe. �Angel! Look man, we can tell you what�s going on if you just let him go!�
Angel looked at the voice that had just yelled at him and glared. He dropped Doyle to the ground and looked at the people from Darren High. �Where is Faith?�� He snarled at Doyle who was now sitting in the sand holding onto his neck.
He took deep breaths and when he felt Angel coming towards him again, he raised his hands. �Look, let me explain!� Doyle said getting up and holding his hands in defense. Angel stopped walking towards him and Doyle calmed a little before he looked into Angel�s eyes. �We didn�t steal your sister, someone else did. We just found her behind our club.�
Angel looked at them before rolling his eyes. �And you expect me to believe this? Are you people serious? Are you actually telling me someone from my school kidnapped my sister?�
�Yes. We don�t do things like that,� Doyle said slowly.
�Fine, if you didn�t take her then give her back.�
Doyle took a deep breath and moved farther away from Angel. �We can�t do that.�
Angel�s eyes widened in surprise and anger. �What do you mean you can�t do that?!�
�Whoever did this, they want war. We are going to give them that.�
�Whatever, we can have this war. Just give me back my sister!� Angel yelled at him, walking manically towards him.
�If you want her, then get her,� Doyle said.
�You think you can just tell me to go find my sister and this is going to be over. Doyle, I�m not someone you should be messing with.�
�I know that.�
Angel took his step closer to his enemy and looked at him. �Try anything and not only do you die, but your girlfriend as well. Got it, Doyle?� Angel said, his eyes burning.
�Got it.�
Chapter Three
It was all over the school the fact that Starr had taken Faith and kept her. The fights among the school were becoming horrible. Students from both schools were coming in and out of the ER with broken features. The little peace that the school had somehow found between each other had shattered into millions of pieces. Faith, who was now attending Starr, was quickly becoming close friends with Buffy.
The football games between both schools were brutal. Faith would attend everyone one of them and sit with the girls from Starr as she watched her brother viciously attack the players on Starr. She would look down guilty at the fact that half the football team on Starr could not walk because of her. He never noticed her and she never went out of her to get him to notice her, but a few times, she swore she saw him looking in her direction but not at her at all. And whenever she would look to see what he was looking at, she would see Buffy.
The school was different from Whedon in many ways. First, people liked the president, Ben. People loved Doyle, and people in this school did not treat each other like they were in a monarchy. When she would walk down the halls of Whedon, every girl would want to be her friend because they would want to hook up with her brother, and every guy would stay clear out of her way because they would be scared of what would happen to them.
They all had heard the story of how Penn Jones had taken her out one night and they had returned to the apartment that her and Angel shared (their parents had died in a car crash when she 14) and had started making out. Angel had walked in and Penn had not shown up to school for three months. As she walked down the halls with Doyle by her side, she could not help but feel that she was more loved and respected here. People were not afraid to talk to her and guys were not afraid to flirt. Yes, some were scared that Angel might come and hunt then down, but in all honesty, what he would not now could not hurt them.
***
Buffy and Faith were walking down Michael Crichton Lane when they both heard fighting in the background. Both of them ran, already knowing it was enemies from the other schools. When they had reached alley Faith gasped in shock as she watched her brother hitting someone.
�Angel! No!� she cried as she went over to him and pulled him off the poor boy.
Angel spun around and looked at his sister who was staring horrified at him. �Faith!� he said as he grabbed her to him and hugged her tightly.
�Angel, what are you doing? Have you lost your mind?� she demanded as she flinched out of his embrace and went over to the poor soul who lay sprawled on the ground. �Are you okay?�
He nodded best he could and she then wiped around and stared at her brother. �You have really lost your mind have you? This kid is a freshman! At least you could have beaten a senior!�
Angel stared at her in shock, she had never cared before if had hurt a kid from Starr. �Faith, we should go before someone sees. You can escape now.�
Faith looked at her brother before looking down. �Angel��
�Faith lets go.�
�I can�t,� she whispered.
�Why the hell not? Not no one can see you, let�s just go.� Angel said getting annoyed with her not listing to him.
Faith looked at Buffy who was biting her lip nervously. She looked up at Faith and smiled best she could before looking at her brother, who had yet to notice her. �Faith,� Buffy whispered. �Your brother is sort of right, I guess. Nobody can see you. I promise I won�t tell.�
For the first time, Angel noticed the girl and he looked over at Faith. �You�re friends with her?�
A girl he liked and already he forget about going home, Faith thought to herself. �Yes.�
Angel was shaken out of his reverie and pulled at Faith�s hand. �We need to get out of her before someone sees.�
Faith pulled his hand away and looked at her brother. �I love you, but I don�t want to go.�
�What?� he hissed.
�I can�t go, I�m sorry,� Faith whispered before running out of the alley and away from her brother�s betrayed look.
Buffy looked at Angel one last time before running after her friend.
***
It was one of the games that would determine which teams got into semi-finals for the state championships in football. Whedon, which stayed undefeated, was already in. Starr needed to win this game to get in; if they could only pass Angel, everything would be fine. However, talking was easier than doing. Buffy sat in the stands alone for this game. Cordelia was busy with whatever she had to do, and Faith could not face watching Angel hurt anyone else. So she stayed at Buffy�s house, were she had been staying, and sat in front of the Television and watched Dawson�s Creek, probably with cookie-dough-mint-fudge-chip in her lap.
Buffy looked at her watch, which read seven fifty five. What was going on? The game was supposed to start twenty-five minutes ago. Five minutes later Whedon came out, missing Angel. Buffy scrunched her brow as she watched both teams line up. In the first five minutes of the game, she knew that Whedon would loose. Without Angel there was no way, they would win. The horn shrieked half time and Starr was up by 28.
Buffy looked at the seat next to her and slowly got out of her chair. Halftime was almost over and she had to know what was going on, so at least she would inform Faith why her brother did not play. She felt sneaky doing what she was doing, but who would suspect lil old her? She walked slowly to Whedon�s dressing room when she saw the guys start running out of there, pounding the pavement with there feet. Heather stood by the sidelines before walking inside.
As she walked inside, she saw Angel, sitting on one of the bench, his face screwed up in a scowl, his arms crossed. She tripped over one of the towels laying on the floor and fell face foreword on the floor. Her cheeks turned red with embarrassment, and slowly she pulled her arms up when she felt his arms help her. Once she was on her feet she looked up at him, she never noticed how large he was, or how perfect his hair was.
�What are you doing here?� he said moving away from her, and leaning against one of the lockers.
�I uh I wanted to find out uh why you weren�t playing. I mean, Starr is crushing your team,� Heather rambled.
�How about I don�t care,� he replied.
She looked up at him and his cool demeanor and wondered why she ever thought of him nice. �Why not, it�s your school?!�
He looked her over and she shrunk at his gaze. �What�s your name?�
Her eyes widened a little and she looked away and then back at his gaze. He had the sexiest lopsided grin she had ever seen and she felt her stomach do a flip-flop. She remembered why she liked him. �Bu-Buffy.�
�Buffy, like a butterfly. It�s a pretty name,� he replied.
Her mouth opened to reply when they both heard footsteps coming down the hall. Angel moved quickly jamming her in one of the lockers. She gagged at the smell the locker produced but stayed still. If she was caught, who knew what might happen.
�What is wrong with you? You are losing the game for us!� she heard someone boom at him.
�Really, Spike, I don�t give a fu-� Buffy�s eyes closed at the word. She might have been in sophomore, but she was still an innocent third grader at heart.
�Well you should! If we loose this game, then we might loose the whole thing! How�s that, your whole senior carrier ruined because of some grudge you hold,� the person named Spike said.
�Don�t tell me that what I hold is a grudge. They stole my sister and now she won�t come home because of them. I will not play until she comes home,� he said, the anger in his words seeping out.
�Do what you want, but don�t ruin the schools chances of winning because your bull.�
Spike started walking down the hallway out of the dressing room when he heard Angel yell out for him. �Spike, I�m no idiot. When she does come home, and she will, I will kill the person who took her away from me in the first place. And I�m dead serious.�
After a few seconds, Angel pulled open the locker door and Buffy fell into his arms gagging and gasping from the horrible smell and what she had heard. Angel picked her up, carried her to the bench, and sat her down. He smiled tightly at her as she took hold of her throat like she was going to die. He looked over at her amused.
�It wasn�t that bad,� he said.
She looked over at him with horrified eyes. �It was worse.�
And they both burst out laughing.
***
Angel drove her home. He pulled over at her house and she did not ask how he knew she lived there. She looked over at him and once again, she noticed how large he was. His hands were so big and his shoulders were so firm and she his�. She quickly looked away and found herself looking into his brown eyes. She was drowning, but in a very good way.
�I-� she started but he stopped her by raising his hand to her cheek and cupping it.
Her green eyes turned into saucers and she started to breathe heavily. He smiled at her and before she knew what was happing she felt his lips upon hers and the whole world seemed to fade away. Everything was disappearing as she felt his hand tangle up in her hair.
Slowly he pulled away and looked at her. She smiled at him, a smile that reached her eyes and he could not help but lean over and kiss her lushes lips all over again. She smelled like vanilla and he felt himself becoming overwhelmingly entranced by her. Once he had let go, she bit her lip and smiled at the same time and he noticed she did that when she got nervous. He smiled reassuringly and slowly got out of the car and went to the other side and pulled her door open.
She got out, he took her hand in his, and they slowly walked towards her doorstep. She bit her lip again, and he gave a little chuckle before kissing her again and then finally releasing her and letting her go inside the sanctuary of her house.
She leaned against the door and smiled happily before shrieking. Faith walked into the room. �Was that my brother who just kissed you?�
Buffy nodded happily.
�No way, this is amazing!� Faith said happily.
�I know,� Buffy said as she drifted happily over to the couch and watched the rest of Dawson�s Creek.
Chapter 4
With Angel refusing to play, Whedon barely got through half their football teams, and won only by a little. They had reached finals with luck, but if they wanted to win the finals then they would need Angel to play for them. And he still refused to play.
Meanwhile, in Starr they were striving in their victory, happy that Angel was not playing in the games and with him, not playing it would be easier for them to win championships. Doyle walked down the hall towards Cordelia�s locker and smiled when he saw her locking at something inside her locker, deep in thought. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck.
She looked up at him startled and hid whatever she was reading. �Doyle!�
He smirked at her. �Hey, what are you looking at?�
Her eyes broadened as she looked at him. �Nothing,� she said to quickly.
He scrunched his noise. �Cordelia� what�s up?�
She looked at him for a second before taking out what she was looking at it was a pregnancy test. Doyle looked at the test before looking back at his girlfriend�s eyes. He gulped as he took it out of her hands and saw it was pink. He looked back into her blue eyes, which now held tears in them.
�Are you pregnant?� he whispered.
She bit her lip before nodding. He laid the test back in her locker before taking her in his arms and embracing her. He kissed her temple while looking into nothingness.
�I always wondered,� Faith said, as she and Heather walked down the streets of the town, �if it was true about my brother. Is her really that good of a kisser?�
�Faith!� Buffy said, blushing pink.
�Just wondering,� Faith said, giggling.
They finally reached Buffy�s house and they both stomped up to her bedroom, holding the cookies Buffy�s mom had given them. They both walked in the room, giggling about what had happened on The OC, when they�re sitting on her window edge was Angel. He looked up when they both entered, startled at first. He looked them over before getting up.
�Angel,� Buffy said breathlessly.
�Hey,� he whispered back. �I uh I just wanted to talk to uh Faith.�
Buffy turned to were Faith stood before looking back at her sort-of-not-really-sure boyfriend. �Yeah, uh sure.�
Buffy walked briskly out of the room, not looking back and locking herself in the study downstairs. Faith looked up at her brother who was looking at the door were Heather had just disappeared to. He snapped out of his stare before looking back at his sister who was glaring at him.
�What?� he asked, like he was in trouble with his parent.
She shook her head, and wondered again how he was older than her. �What are you doing here?�
�I wanted to talk to you.�
�So talk,� she said irritably.
He looked at his sister and wondered about her mood before dismissing it. �I want to now when you are coming home.�
�I�m not.�
He looked at her for a second, taken aback. �What?�
�You heard me clear, Angel. I don�t want to go home. I like it here, people like me here!�
�I�m still your brother, and you�re still seventeen and under my guardianship!� Angel said, infuriated.
Faith looked at her brother, her anger doubling his. �You are not going to force me around! Who are you to do so?!�
�You�re brother!� he yelled. �I�ve been there for you through everything! And now, because you get a taste of something else you are going to leave me because of it! I don�t think so. You belong with me at Whedon,� he raged in anger. Adding, �Anyways, they probably brainwashed you.�
Faith looked at her brother, whose eyes were blazing with anger. And suddenly felt guilty. She had all these friends now, all these people who liked her and he � he had no one. �I�m happy.�
He looked at her one last time before storming out of the room and passing Buffy who opened the Study right when he walked down the stairs. She looked up at Faith�s heartbroken face and then looked watched Angel�s form walk out of her house. Her mother came out of the kitchen and looked at both the girls.
�What�s going on girls?� she said wiping her hands with her apron.
�Nothing, mom. I�ll be right back,� Buffy said hurriedly as she raced out of her house.
Buffy ran as fast as she could to catch up with Angel. When she called his name, she saw him stop but he did not turn around. When she finally reached him, she did not know what to do. She touched his shoulder lightly and finally his broad frame turned around. She smiled tightly at him and crossed her arms around her body.
�What happened in there?� she asked.
He looked her up and down. �Nothing important. Don�t worry about it.�
�But I do worry about,� she replied. Looking into his eyes, her eyes full of young innocence.
�You should get away from me,� he finally said after a long moment of silence.
She looked at him for a second, shocked. �What? Why?�
�Trust me.�
�Well, what if I don�t want to stay away,� she said, her eyes determined.
�I�m not someone you should hang around with. Were a lot different,� he responded
�I think I will decided for myself who I hang out with,� she said, her eyes radiating with �
He breathed deeply before moving away from her. �You should stay away from me!�
She looked at him before responding, �No.�
He came over to her quickly, pulled her roughly by her shoulders, and made her face him. �Stay away from me, we don�t live in a happy world. Just stay away!�
She squirmed out of his embrace ad looked at him, fright shining in her eye. She looked at him for one moment before turning around and sprinting away from him. He watched as she ran away from and tried to hide the tears that threatened to fall.
***
Whedon High was getting ready for their big night, or the big night were they probably would loose. They all sat around their dressing room looking around glumly of thought of loosing the championships. Suddenly the doors opened and Allan came in with his sports bag in one hand and a water bottle in the other. The guys looked at him, shock and annoyance forming on their feature. Why does he come if he isn�t going play? They all thought.
They all stared at him as he stated putting on his gear and uniform. He turned around and saw all of them staring and scowled at them. �What the hell are you staring at? Put you crap on and lets go!�
They still stared. �Did Faith come back or something?� One of the guys asked.
He looked at the boy who dared speak and then crossed the room and took him by the neck and lifted him off the floor. �How about you shut up, boy.�
He nodded his head vigorously and Allan let him go. �Anymore questions?�
They all shook their heads and quickly got ready for the game to come.
***
The air outside the football stadium was filled with tension. Everyone had been looking forward to this game. The two enemies, Joss Whedon High School and Darren Starr High School, facing off for the championships, the one game that would decide who was better. The sky outside was a royal blue and clouds were taking over the sky. Any moment the rain would start pouring out of the sky, but that would not postpone the game.
The crowd cheered as their teams came out on the battlefield. They watched as both players lined up for the starting, and some Starr people groaned when they saw that Angel was playing. People looked around nervously, but said nothing. The apprehension surrounding the stadium was killing people, making them jittery. Everything deepened on the game. Everyone felt it, the players, the students, and the teachers.
The horn rang and the timer started, Starr starting with the ball. When they called their plays, and passed the ball to Doyle in the five seconds who could pass the ball he felt himself being pushed to the ground by the tacklers. Angel at the start. He wiped his bloody nose and glared at Angel.
He gave the ball to his teammate and then went back in line, still glaring at Angel. He once again called the calls, but once again, he had gotten tackled to the grown, by Angel. He pulled himself up and once again glared at his brother.
�What�s your problem?� Doyle asked Angel, aggravated.
�Just trying to win,� Angel responded.
The teams once again lined up and Doyle glared at Angel waiting. He knew he was coming now and he waited and when his hand finally touched the ball he ran, he sprinted to the other side, but felt himself being shoved again. He looked up when he saw Angel�s fist meet his helmet. He took off his helmet. Once it was off again, he felt his face meeting the fists of Angel.
Doyle took hold of his fists and right there in front of everyone they started to fight. The referee tried to break them up, but he could not do anything. The teams tried to break them up as well, but all they did was get pounded themselves. Blood started to fly everywhere as teams started to fight with each other.
The sky started to thunder and lighting started to be able to seen and people started running out of the stadium in fright. Faith and Buffy watched as everyone started to get beaten up and people started to get soaked.
�Come on,� Faith said in a hurry, grabbing on to Buffy�s arm.
They started to run, as fast to get out but finally when they reached the outside, Faith could not find Buffy anywhere.
�BUFFY!� Faith yelled in panic. She looked around but saw her nowhere. Her heart started to beat faster as she ran back inside the stadium looking for Faith.
***
Once she had escaped from Faith, Buffy had ran as fast as she could when she saw Cordelia start to run towards the field. Once she had gotten down there she could not see her anywhere. When she started to move towards the crowd she got herself pushed and she fell to the ground, mud splattering her outfit. She got up and started moving foreword but kept getting pushed.
The second time she fell, she got stepped on and felt tears rush to her eyes, but tried to hold them back. She moved foreword and saw Cordelia sitting far back crying as she watched Angel and Doyle fight. It was obvious that Doyle was being beaten to a bloody pulp. Buffy moved foreword and tried to get a hold of Angel but just got pushed away from someone else.
She moved foreword again and this time got through and pulled at Angel�s hand but he just pushed her away, hard. She fell to the ground, cutting her forehead. She breathed deeply before getting up and wiping the blood that was dripping from her forehead. She took hold of Angel�s hand again, and this time when he was just about to punch Doyle he turned around and looked at her. He was taken aback at first but moved away from Doyle and came foreword to her.
He moved slowly, and touched her forehead a little and she winced. He saw the tears that tracked her cheeks and wiped them with his thumb. She looked at him and then saw Doyle move towards them and pushed Angel out of the way so when Doyle went to hit Angel, hit her instead. She fell to the ground groaning and holding her cheek. She felt Angel lie down next to her and grab hold of her.
�Are you okay?� he murmured as he stroked her hair.
Buffy tried to smile but her head just hurt and she groaned. She saw him turn around and look at Doyle.
�Angel!� Buffy heard someone yell.
Angel turned around at the sound of his name and saw his sister running towards him. �Angel, No!�
He looked at his sister and moved back from Doyle, his eyes glaring at him. �You�re lucky.�
Doyle moved far away from him, and then turned to were Cordelia sat, bawling. He moved towards her and smiled sadly at her. Just looking at his face, she started sobbing harder. The crowd moved out of the way so Doyle could get to her. She sniffled when she saw him and he touched her cheek.
�Those hormones, huh?� he whispered.
He received a slap in the chest.
***
Wesely, Angel�s best friend, was sitting in the driving seat, Gunn seating next to him in the passenger seat. They were both glaring at each other. Buffy, Faith and Angel came into the car sliding into the backseat. Angel pulled Buffy onto his lap and she blushed as she hid behind his neck. The door to where Faith was seating was opened and Cordelia and Doyle came inside, scouting Faith to the middle.
�What the hell is he doing here?� Angel snarled at Faith.
�He is coming with us,� she replied, non-pulsed.
�And where is that?� Angel asked.
�Road Trip,� Wesley replied.
�Where?�
�Who knows,� Wesley said.
�Why?�
�What is this, the five Ws? We are going on this trip if you want to or not. We are going because, we need a break from all this. And just get along for once in your life and don�t break someone�s neck in the process,� Faith told her brother exasperated.
Angel glared still but stopped when he felt Buffy kiss his neck lightly. �Stop being grouchy.� He purred.
�That�s disgusting,� Faith said fake barfing.
�Yeah, well you pulled me into this side! So live,� Angel said.
�I love how he acts like his five sometimes,� Faith said shaking her head.
Everyone laughed and Angel glared. �Shut up, Doyle. Or I�ll just beat you again.� Doyle shut it. �Thought so.�
As they drove into the night, Angel looked at Wesely. �What happened to Spike?�
�I heard her got hit and had to go to the ER,� he replied.
�Oh,� Angel smirked happily.
�You are horrible!� Buffy smiled happily at him.
He smiled at her, and kissed her noise. She smiled at him and looked deep into his eyes. �I love you.�
He looked at her for a second. �I love you. Where you go, I go.�
She smiled.
�Hey, maybe we can see Giles on the way?� Faith asked at the car as it drove in to the night.
The End!!
~~~
©Holding My Hand 2004-2005
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