TITLE: Heroic Guardian Angels
AUTHOR: Ragna (Obsessive-Compulsive Spike - WritingGoddess@aol.com; SpikeGrrl1@aol.com)
RATING: PG
CLASSIFICATION: Doyle/Buffy, eventually.
SUMMARY: Buffy goes to Heaven and meets up with Doyle, who's now a Guardian Angel.
SPOILERS: All of Season 4 BtVS/Season1 A:tS.
DISTRIBUTION: Any sites with my fic up; you all have unspoken permission. I write it, you can post it. Everyone else just keep my name on it and let me know.
ARCHIVED AT: http://www.envy.nu/allthepain/index.html
DISCLAIMER: If you don't recognize it, chances are it's my own creation. If you do, Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Kazui Sandollar, FOX and the WB own it or them. Various friends of mine are holding characters hostage. You may see them by appointment only.
FEEDBACK: Sorry I'm not home right now I'm walking in the spiderwebs so leave a message and I'll call you back...in other words, I want it. Don't care if it's onlist or not.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Finally, another part. Now I get to throw a wrench in the works. I love this...
~*~*~
"Look, mate, I heard her crying and..." Spike was saying outside Buffy's room after she'd fallen asleep.

"It's all right, Spike," Doyle said.

"Does she know you like her?"

"No."

Spike decided a change of topic was in order. "They're doing fine down there, all of them. I heard Anya was neglecting Xander...should I go tell her about what he's up to?"

Doyle nodded. "He's going to need her help soon?"

"I don't know," Spike said, shrugging. "They're all depressed down there...Red, Xander, Riley...the whole bloody lot of them. Nothing big, but they need to have an eye kept on them."

Doyle nodded again, idly wondering why he'd gotten stuck dealing with all Buffy's friends as his trainees. "Well, she and Larry are probably still arguing. She's in her room." An idea hit him. "Willow and Xander...they're spending a lot of time together, right?"

"Yeah..."

"Take Anya to your room, use your mirror to show her what's going on, and make sure Xander's in the picture. That way, she'll realize he really *does* need her help."

Spike smiled slightly. "Good idea, mate." He headed down the hall towards Anya's room.

"Doyle?"

Doyle turned around, seeing Merrick. "Yeah?"

"Is she all right? I heard she had been crying again."

Doyle sighed. "She's been depressed longer than anyone else who's had to come here has. It's scaring me, and I'm not the type to get scared all that easily. And having to show her that lost day..."

Merrick nodded. "She has some of those closest or most important to her in life here, now. Giles, Spike, myself...and she's getting close to you, now."

"I know. Look...can you watch her for a bit? I need to go to Los Angeles...I think something might be wrong down there, and I'd rather see it for myself than through the mirror."

Merrick nodded. "Keep an eye on my new ward, too, will you?"

"Don't worry. I'll keep Cordy and Angel safe."

***


Merrick watched the Slayer he'd died for breathe in and out slowly, sleep taking over her motions.

"Merrick," Giles said, standing at the doorway.

"Rupert...you did a good job with her," Merrick said quietly. "A very good job."

Giles nodded, leaning against the wall. He nodded towards Buffy, who was waking up.

"Hey," she said quietly, sitting up. "My two favorite Watchers, watching over me. How typical." She looked around the room. "Where's Doyle at?"

"He had to go down to Los Angeles, to take care of some business with Cordelia," Merrick said. "He'll be back soon, though."

Buffy stood up. "I should be watching Wesley, shouldn't I?"

Merrick nodded. "You should, but things will be okay. I don't think he's the one in danger."

Giles also nodded, moving towards Buffy. "Are you truly all right, Buffy?"

"I'm better now, I guess." She took a deep breath. "I think I need to get to work soon."