11A/N: So here's how it goes. Angel comes to Sunnydale and goes to the Bronze after seeing Buffy in the Yoko Factor. Not your usual Yoko Factor rewrite.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. And Carter. And the song she sings.
Angel sat at the bar of the Bronze, nursing a glass of Irish whiskey. Maybe I could do as Doyle did. Drown my damned sorrows in whiskey, he mused, when someone slapped a dollar bill down, asked for a Coke, and slid a printed email in front of him.
He looked over the words and recognized his work.
"Carter."
"Hey Angel. Thanks for the help with my lyrics."
"Lyrics? I thought it was a project."
"It is. Final phase of which is about to be competed."
Carter pointed towards the empty stage and microphone. Angel looked back at her, horrified.
"No."
"Yes."
"Everything in that letter is about what I feel for her."
"Exactly. Riveting stuff, very inspiring. Here's the finished product." Carter pushed another peice of paper towards him. He looked it over and had to admit, the lyrics were accurate. If she sang this, Buffy would know. She'd know that he was still completetly, totally, hopelessly in love with her. Ha, as if she didn't already. Angel passed the sheet back to Carter.
"Why?"
"'Cause damnit Angel, you two deserve some fricking happiness after the shit you've been through."
The bartender came back with her Coke, and the young girl made herself comfy on her stool.
"So, how's life been?" She drawled out idly.
"Moment at a time," the vampire said and threw back his whiskey, slammed his tmbler onto the counter and immedietly ordered another one.
"What are you doing?"
"If I'm going to face Buffy, which I'll probably have to after your little show here, I'm gonna need a little liquid courage, if you know what I mean."
Carter rolled her eyes and siad, "Whatever."
A man got up on stage and called her name.
"I gotta go. Try not to get too buzzed, 'kay? I really can't deal with two drunk vampires tonight."
Carter slid off her stool and walked onto the stage, what was left of the Dingoes after Oz left standing behind her.
"'Kay, so a little bit about this song. I normally don't do love songs, but tonight it's an exception. This song was inspired by an e-mail from an old friend of mine. His deal is that he's kinda hopelessly in love wioth this girl. They dated, he had to leave her, not 'cause he didn't love her, 'cause he did. It was just complicated. He's got this big, fat, complicated past, and her friends aren't exactly his biggest fans. So this is kinda from his point of view, and... yeah, her goes;
I can see the stars here
I can just sit alone
Me and my thoughts
Surrounded by the desert snow
And it's so quiet here
All the world seems far away
If I ever go back
I know I'll never be the same
I hear your heartbeat soft and slow
Why did I ever let you go?
Hear you heart and I fall asleep
Counting the seconds 'till I have to leave
So close you eyes
And listen to the silence
Just listen to the silence
Close your eyes
And listen to the silence
Ooh
I'm walking a winding road
If I ever lose my way
My nightmares push me back
I can't afford to make mistakes
But it's so lonely here
There are no hands to hold.
No one seems to understand
That you're my home
And I hear your heartbeat soft and slow
Why did I ever let you go?
Hear you heart as I fall asleep
Counting the seconds 'till I have to leave
So close you eyes, and listen to the silence
Just listen to the silence
Close your eyes
And listen to the silence
Every night is cold
Without you by my side
Every time it gets old
To keep on fighting this fight
You're all that's left of what I used to be
Would you ever love me?
And I hear your heartbeat soft and slow
Why did I ever let you go?
Hear you heart as I fall asleep
Counting the seconds 'till I have to leave
So close you eyes, and listen to the silence
Just listen to the silence
Close your eyes
And listen to the silence
Carter gave a short grin and walked back to the bar. Back at the table, Buffy's face was covered in silent tears. Riley was smiling ecstatically.
"That was great. Carter's really good, huh? I wonder who her friend is."
Everyone else's expressions were somber.
"What is it?"
The (dumbshit) boy finallly turned to face his girlfriend.
"Oh, Buffy honey, did Carter make you emotional? It's okay, I'm right here."
Me, not that monster, he added in his head. To his surprise though, it didn't have the intended effect. Buffy pulled away.
"I can't."
"You can't what Buffy?"
"Riley, I like you. I might've loved you. I sure as hell wanted to. But I just... I can't keep pulling at your strings. We're done. I'm sorry."
And she ran.
I think I'll make this a two-shot. You?