Title: Dancing in the Rain

Disclaimer: Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, 20th Century Fox and others own Buffy and Angel. I lay no claim to them just this story.

Author: Lorna J. Dominey

Summary: This is an alternate universe story. It is written in three chapters. Chapter 1 is eight parts long and it tells Buffy's story leading up to when she meets Angel. Chapter 2 is also eight parts long and is Angel's story. Chapter 3 is only 4 parts long and it deals with what happens when they do meet. This story is finished.

Rating: PG 13 to R a little sex in chapter 3 part 2

Pairings: At first B/Owen. A/Darla then A/B.

Distribution: It's all mine.

Author's note: Feedback would be nice.

Email: TiaLorna@aol.com

Chapter 1, Buffy's story

Part 1

Fifteen year old Buffy Summers cried herself to sleep. Her folks had set her and her sister Dawn down tonight and announced they were getting a divorce. No not getting one they were divorced. To keep up appearances her Mom and Dad had continued to live together while they waited for the divorce to go through.

A few weeks later Buffy sat silently in the back-seat of her Mom's car. Dawn was sitting up front with Mom. Buffy watched as the scenery sped by. They were on the way to their new home in Sunnydale. Leaving behind everything Buffy held dear.

Buffy unpacked her clothes and hung them up in the closet. The new house was smaller than their old one. Her room was smaller. Everything was smaller. Her bedroom furniture barely fit.

The only good thing about the room were the trees she could see from the windows. She loved trees and there were several beautiful ones to gaze upon.

Buffy looked up when Dawn came bouncing into the room. A big grin on her face.

"Buffy this is so cool."

Buffy sighed, "If you say so."

Dawn folded her arms, "Come on Buffy it's an adventure moving and all that."

Buffy turned to her, "You don't miss Dad or your friends?"

Dawn shrugged, "I do but I'll make new friends when we go to school next week."

Buffy groaned, "School a new school where I won't know anyone."

Dawn giggled, "Yeah you won't be the popular girl in school now. So what."

Buffy glared at Dawn, "Also no boyfriend I had to leave Tyler."

Dawn grimaced, "Boys who needs them?"

Buffy shrugged, "Someday you will. Now get out I'm still unpacking and moping."

Dawn turned and headed out the door, "Never, they stink and want to kiss all the time."

Buffy shut the door to her room. She could forgive Dawn she knew that at barely eleven Dawn didn't get the whole idea of being popular and in love.

Part 2

Buffy slowly walked along the hallway of the high school. She'd just talked with the Principal and didn't like him. Now she was looking for her classes. Spotting a cute red headed girl standing in front of a row of lockers she went over to her.

"Hi, I'm Buffy and new and very lost can you help me?"

The girl smiled at Buffy, "Hey sure oh I'm Willow and welcome to Sunnydale."

Buffy sighed, "Thanks."

Willow smiled, "So what's your first class?"

Buffy looked at the scheduled she'd been handed, "Looks like history with a Miss Gordon."

Willow grinned, "Hey that's where I'm heading."

Buffy sighed, "Great so lead on."

In class as everyone settled in. Willow introduced Xander to Buffy.

Buffy smiled at the dark haired boy. He was cute but she didn't think she'd want to date him. Besides it was obvious that Willow had a major crush on him.

After school Buffy walked home feeling a little better. She'd made two new friends. And met a few other people she thought could be friends.

Her Mom smiled at Buffy when entered the house, "So Buffy how was the first day of school?"

Buffy shrugged, "Not bad I made two new friends. Willow Rosenberg and Xander Harris."

Joyce smiled, "Well, that's good. Would you like something to eat?"

Buffy nodded, "Yep the food at school is okay very bland."

Dawn came into the house and slammed the door behind her, "I hate my new school everyone there is a dork."

Buffy almost laughed, "But I thought you were wanting adventure."

Dawn glared at her, "Oh and was your day a good one?"

Buffy grinned, "Made some new friends and I like the school library it's cool."

Dawn shook her head, "Figures. I tried to be friendly to this girl and she told me to get lost cause I was a nobody. No one wanted to talk to me. The teachers are not very friendly and the food is yucky."

Joyce sighed, "It'll get better so just hang in there. Now come on I baked cookies and dinner will be done soon."

Buffy followed her Mom into the kitchen. Dawn turned and went up to her room to pout.

Part 3

Buffy sat in the library reading through her history book. She looked up when the doors swung open. It was Owen Thurman. Buffy sat up and smiled at him.

"Owen hey."

Owen jumped slightly, "Oh someone is in here. Oh Buffy's it's you."

Buffy nodded, "Yep little ole me."

Owen went over to where she was sitting, "So what are you doing in here?"

Buffy pointed to her books, "Homework. History got that dreaded history paper to do. I have to do a paper on George Patton."

Owen laughed, "Miss Gordon is at it again I see giving the one person who wouldn't read about Patton the assignment to do a paper on him."

Buffy frowned, "She does that?"

Owen nodded, "Yep, gave me the task of writing about women's fashions from 1900 to 1930."

Buffy giggled, "That must have been so much fun for you."

Owen shrugged, "I got through it with a little help."

Buffy grinned, "I could use a little help."

Owen sat down in the chair next to Buffy, "Then I offer my help with pleasure."

Buffy found Owen sitting under one of the large trees that dotted the school campus. She plopped down next to him.

"Owen thanks to you I got an A on my history paper."

Owen smiled at her, "Hey that's fantastic."

Buffy sighed, "So you doing anything this weekend?"

Owen smiled at her, "Nothing planned why?"

Buffy shrugged, "Mom is going to bar b cue and told me to invite over a few friends I asked Willow and Xander they are going to be there and I was wondering if you'd like to come?"

Owen nodded, "I'd love to come. Want me to bring anything?"

Buffy grinned, "Nope just yourself will do just fine."

Part 4

Buffy danced with Owen at his senior prom. They had been dating for over a year now. She was going to be so lonely her senior year without Owen.

A few weeks later Buffy and Owen were at the Bronze for the after graduation party. Buffy noticed that Owen seemed distracted.

"Honey what's wrong?"

Owen shrugged, "Come on let's go for a walk."

Buffy followed Owen out of the Bronze. He took her hand as they walked. A few blocks away he turned to her.

"Buffy I'm leaving next week. I am going to work for my Uncle this summer before going to college."

Buffy stared at Owen, "But we had plans for this summer. We were going to make the most of it before you took off for college."

Owen sighed, "I know but I need the money he'll pay me. Things have been rough on my folks this year and they dug into my college fund a little."

Buffy folded her arms, "So they have the problem and you have to make up for their mistakes."

Owen shook his head, "Buffy, please understand this the right thing for me to do."

Buffy sighed, "If you say so. Walk me home."

The following week. Buffy clung to Owen at the bus depot he was leaving and she couldn't stand the thought. He'd been there for her ever since she'd moved to Sunnydale. He was what had made it easy for her to fit in and be happy. Now he was leaving her.

Part 5

A few months later. Buffy bounded into the house. Her Mom looked up at her from the couch.

"You have a letter from Owen it's on your bed."

Buffy grinned, "Thanks Mom, I was getting worried he hasn't written in almost a month."

Buffy found the letter and tore it open. As she read the letter her world fell apart.

"My Dearest Buffy:

I don't know how it happened but I have found someone else. We have some of the same classes and we just started going out to lunch then dinner. She's pregnant about eight weeks. We got married two days ago. I am so sorry Buffy. I didn't mean for this to happen.

Owen"

Buffy dropped the letter. She curled up on the bed and began to cry. Joyce heading for her room heard Buffy crying. She stepped into the room and spotted the letter on the floor. She picked it up and read it.

Sighing she sat down next to Buffy and put her arms around her. Buffy crawled into her Mother's lap and cried herself to sleep.

Part 6

Three years later:

Buffy felt numb all over as she stood next to Dawn at their Mother's funeral. She was scared and didn't know what to do.

Later that evening Buffy sat on her bed in the dark. Dawn was asleep finally. She was glad that Willow and Tara were spending the night. The house seemed so empty and quiet.

Standing up Buffy left her room and began to wonder through the dark house. So empty no warmth. Buffy rubbed her arms trying to get warm. She paused in Dawn's room and watched her sleeping. How was she going to cope?

Buffy went downstairs to the kitchen. The room was clean. Tara and Willow must have cleaned up after she'd gone to her room.

Buffy stepped outside and stood on the deck. She felt the tears start up again. Owen and Xander had built the deck for her Mom. It was a favorite place for everyone to gather. So many bar b cues with her Mom laughing and having fun. Owen there helping out. He did so much for them. He'd become the man of the house.

Buffy went over to one of the benches and sat down. She thought about Owen he and his wife had a son. They had come by briefly this afternoon to offer their condolences. Buffy didn't know how she got through seeing him and his wife. She'd wanted to scream at Owen to rip into him to hurt him the way he'd hurt her.

Buffy stood up and looked around. She had to be strong now and be the adult. She couldn't be weak. She had to be there for Dawn. Her feelings be damned.

Part 7

Buffy struggled the next few months trying to keep things going. She got a job working nights as a waitress in the truck stop out near the freeway. Not an easy job. The pay was descent and the tips were good, especially if she let the men get away with patting her ass.

Willow and Tara moved in and paid rent. Buffy knew she should feel bad asking for the money but damn she needed it.

Buffy smiled at Lucky as she put his plate of food in front of him. He was one of the few men who tipped her well and didn't pat her ass. The night was a hot one. The summer so far had been hotter than normal.

The door to the diner opened and in strode four men. They all held up guns and pointed them at the people sitting there eating.

"Okay all of you do as we say and no one gets hurt."

Slowly two of the men walked around the room. One man held out a plastic bag.

"Put all your money and jewelry in the bag."

One of the men turned to the night manager, "Empty the cash register."

The hold up men hadn't noticed the highway patrol man who stepped out of the restroom. He had called in the situation while still in the hallway leading to the restrooms and the manager's office.

Holding out his own gun the cop spoke loudly, "Boys this place is about to be surrounded so drop your weapons."

The leader swung around and fired his gun. The bullet missed the cop and shattered the hanging lamp near by. More shooting. The cop managed to hit one of the gunmen.

The other three turned to flee. The cops who were just arriving managed to grab them before they could get away.

Lucky yelled, "Get an ambulance Buffy's been shot."

Part 8

Buffy lay in her hospital bed. She'd been there for two weeks now. She wanted to go home. So what if she couldn't move her left arm very high or make a fist. She could stand up and walk, that was when they let her.

Buffy groaned when Dr. Grant entered her room, "So what kind of torture have you devised now?"

Dr. Grant smiled, "Buffy please you almost died. Your lung collapsed and there has been nerve damage to the left side of your body. You need more rest and physical therapy."

Buffy frowned, "I feel fine just a little weak is all. I want to go home. My sister needs me."

Dr. Grant sighed, "You keep up the exercises and behave maybe I'll consider letting you go home next week."

Buffy closed her eyes, "Fine."

The following week:

Buffy stared at Willow, "What do you mean the bank is going to take the house?"

Willow sighed, "The mortgage came due and there was no money to pay it."

Buffy couldn't believe what she was hearing, "And Dawn where is she at?"

Willow took a deep breath, "Your Aunt Arlene came and took her to Ohio."

Buffy shook her head, "Where am I supposed to go and what about my things the furniture everything?"

Willow smiled a little, "We all took care of it. Everything is in storage and my folks are away and they said you can stay at their place until you figure out what to do."

Buffy closed her eyes. The Rosenbergs had sold their house when Willow had moved out. They then bought a condo near the beach. At least she had a place to stay but not much else. With her arm still not working right she couldn't work. She had no idea what to do.

Several weeks went by Buffy settled in at the condo. She liked the beach. It was just a short walk away. She went there everyday just to sit in the sun or walk along the shore.

Buffy wasn't happy though. Dawn was actually happy in Ohio. She was going to a private school. Making friends and had even met a guy she liked.

Buffy stared at her left hand. She was barely able to close it half way now. She could lift the arm a little higher and her breathing was much better. She was frustrated she couldn't work. Not at the diner anyways and besides she didn't think she could go back there.

Buffy ran into Owen's Mother while at the store. The woman had never really cared for Buffy. Seeing Buffy she went right up to Buffy with a big grin on her face.

"Why Buffy how good to see you. I am so sorry about everything that has happened."

Buffy tried to smile, "Mrs. Thurman you look well."

Mrs.Thurman smiled, "Oh I just got home from visiting Owen and Sally they just had another baby a little girl this time. Oh and they bought a real nice house. Owen is so happy his job is coming along just fine."

Buffy felt as if the air was knocked out of her, "Well, I'm glad to hear that. Owen deserves to be happy."

Mrs. Thurman smiled, "That he does well nice chatting with you."

Buffy watched as the woman walked away. Buffy left her basket of groceries and went home.

A week later:

Buffy sat on the beach looking out at the ocean. Her doctor had told her that she had gone as far as she would with her left arm and hand. Buffy looked down at her hand and tried to make a fist. All she got was a claw.

She wiped away the tears that threatened. She didn't want to cry. She had to be strong just one last time is all. Nothing she had nothing. No job, no place to call home really. She'd failed her Mother by not keeping the house. No boyfriend. No one really cared about her. She couldn't do it any more.

Buffy looked at the small bottle of pills. She had a few left over for the pain. She knew it was just enough to dull her senses and make her sleepy. That's all she needed. She was going to take the pills and when they began to effect her she was going to walk into the ocean and not stop.

Buffy opened the bottle and shook the pills out onto her hand. She stared at them. Buffy felt water splash against her face. She glanced up it was beginning to rain lightly. She stood up and looked up at the clouds.

Rain that wasn't predicted. It felt good as it splashed down on her body. It was soft and gentle. Soothing actually. Without realizing it Buffy began to dance in the rain to the beat of the ocean pounding on shore.

As the rain came to an end the clouds parted and a bright beautiful rainbow appeared. It arched over Buffy's head and stretched out to the ocean. Buffy had never seen anything so wonderful in her life.

Buffy stood there watching the rainbow and clouds. As the rainbow began to fade Buffy realized she'd dropped the pills. I guess maybe it isn't my time she thought why else would it rain on me and then give me a rainbow?

Slowly Buffy turned and headed back to the condo. She had to find a way to make it. She would find a way to make it.

Six months later:

Buffy put away the last of her groceries. She had a job at a hotel answering phones and taking reservations. She was still living in the Rosenberg condo but now she was paying some rent. Life was still hard but she was making it.

Buffy went and changed into a light, cotton sundress. Pink with small white roses. Looking out the window she decided to take a walk along the beach.

As Buffy began to walk a light rain began to fall. She loved it when it rained. She always paid homage to the rain gods by dancing in the rain.