****

"...I Knew that he loved Joyce in High School, but I didn't think he'd ever take it this far." Giles elaborated, pacing across the living room of the Summer's house.

"I can't believe it was Mr. O'brian." Willow repeated.

Xander rolled his eyes,"We're not coming across an understanding at time soon, Will, are we?"

"I still don't understand." Buffy swallowed roughly, "Why would he do something like this? I need to know, Angel needs to know."

Giles sat down next to his daughter, "Where is he?"

Buffy pointed to the steps, "He needed some alone time, I think he's sleeping in my room. Now, explain this to me. Stop changing the subject."

The sternness in her voice didn't fall flat with Giles. He knew that Buffy loved Angel more then anything, and he also knew that Angel felt the same way. They deserved to know the truth

Giles took a deep breath and continued, "Mr. O'brian and I both loved your Mother in High School, but she was in love with your Father, Hank. Wayne and I bonded over the years of High School and became close friends, but when Joyce divorced Hank, then dated me. I felt awful. I talked to Wayne about it, but he said he didn't love Joyce anymore and that he loved Angel's mother."

"So, let me guess," Xander stood, "we're playing the whole scream plot here."

"Not precisely," Giles answered, "I guess after Angel's Mother died, and then Joyce, Wayne just lost it. I guess he wanted revenge."

"SO killing Buffy fits into the sequence, how?" Oz asked.

"Revenge." Cordy stated, "Flat-out. He was mad at Giles for taking Joyce, and maybe because he couldn't have Joyce due to her death, he went after what Giles loves just as much."

"Which is why he went after Buffy?" Willow said softly, "How morbid is that?"

"I need to talk to Angel. He's really confused right now and he needs someone to talk to." Buffy said, getting up and climbing the steps to her room.

****

Slowly, Buffy entered her room, only to find Angel sitting on her bed with his head hiding in his hands. Buffy sat down next to him and leaned into his embrace," Are you OK?" He trembled, as if trying to hold in a sob, "Please, Angel, talk to me."

He stood up straight, and turned away from her," You shouldn't be near me."

Buffy stood also, "Excuse me?"

"You shouldn't be near me." Angel spun to face her, "My father tried to kill the one person that I love more then anything in the world, what does that say about me?"

"Is this some male ego thing, because I don't believe in that bullshit!" She was angry now, "It doesn't say anything about you. You aren't your father."

Angel's eyes filled with tears, and his voice softened to a whisper, "No, I'm not. I'm a product."

Buffy approached him, taking his hand into her small one, "No, Angel. You're wrong. Please sweetie."

He shook his head sadly, convinced that he was now unworthy of anything that Buffy provided. Angel turned and walked out the bedroom door, without so much as a look back.

Buffy could've let him run, could've let him walk out of her life, but she wasn't going to. Buffy wasn't about to let the love of her life slip through her fingers. Running out of the door, she chased him down the stair case, yelling along the way, "You can't run away from this Angel! I won't let you!"

He reached the front door, right about the time Buffy caught up with him, "Don't you dare walk out of this door and act like you're walking out of my life, because It won't work."

He heard the determination in her voice, but the desperation in it also. Angel didn't want to lose her, he needed her, he wanted her. Angel loved Buffy, and he almost lost her. Tears flowed down her cheeks, and he watched her throat constrict. Angel knew that he couldn't survive these next couple of months with her. He broke.

Falling to his knees, Angel holds her tightly. Buffy, surprised, by the turn of events, sinks to her knees also and envelops him in a large hug. Angel just keeps holding her and starts to sob into her jacket.

Muffled cries come from his mouth, begging forgiveness, "I'm so sorry, so sorry. I can't lose you. I love you."

"Shh...it's going to be OK. You're going to be OK." She whispered over and over into his ear.

From the living room, the group watched the two broken young adults. Oz handed Xander a camera, "This is one of those moments my Mom talks about, they're called Kodak moments."

Xander nodded in understanding, "So I've heard." He took the camera, and snapped a picture of the couple. The others stared at him like he was crazy, "What?"

Cordelia smirked and stepped away from Xander, "Not my boyfriend."

The others, including Buffy and Angel laughed, it was over.

****

"Mr. O'brian, you have a visitor." The guard attendentent said, unlocking the jail door. The attendent shoved the door open and immeditly cuffed Mr. O'brian.

"Who is it?" Wayne asked, following the guard out of the cell.

"Your Son, Angel." he infomed, rounding the corner to the visiters booth.

In the third cubical, Angel sat. He facial expressions swiching from shock, anger, and back to a clam expression. All in a time period of three seconds. Sitting down in the small chair, Mr. O'brain picked up the phone. He watched as Angel did the same, and for once in his life, Mr. O'brian was glad that there was a pane of glass between him and his Son. //If looks could kill//

"Hello Angel." Mr. O'brian spoke into the phone, with such an even, solid voice, it made Angel's blood boil.

"Don't act like we're friends, becasue we're not." Angel replied coldly, " I'm only your Son right now, becasue I have to be."

Mr. O'brain's sharp intake of breath made Angel relaize that he hit a nerve, and it was so early in the interrigation, "Why did you do it? Do you feel better about youself?" Angel sneered, " Does it make you feel better that you killed over a dozen of other women? Slowly and Painfully?"

Angel's father just swallowed roughly and looked down

"Yeah, you're such a man." Angel replied sarcastically, "You can kill a women, but you can't give your Son a striahgt answer."

"Is Buffy ok?" His question caught Angel off guard.

"She's Fine, why do you care?"

Mr. O'brain met eye contact for the first time with his Son, "I didn't mean for it to go so out of control..."

"But it did!," Angel intrupped angerly.

"I know that!" Angel's father shot back, "I was just so devestated. First Giles got Joyce, then your Mother died, then Joyce died, and then Buffy came along." Angel's face visably softened, " And she was a perfect reminder of what I wanted all those years ago. I was jealos beyond reasonable means. It scared me. So I went out trying to get dates, and ever girl that turned me down..."

"You killed."

"Yes," Mr. O'brain answered.

"And this dosen't strike you as, esylum material?" Angel quipped.

"Of course it does!" Mr. Obrian sohuted, " I can't sleep at night. everytime I close my eyes, there's some poor girl begging me to stop, and there's blood, so much blood..." He began to weep.

Angel realized that his father had some deep, unresolved issues. Issues that he, Angel, were completly un aware of, "I'm sorry, but I can't let something like this just fade. You tried to kill Buffy. I love her more then I ever thought possible, you almost took her away from me."

The guard attendant came up behind Mr. O'brain and spoke in his deep, harsh voice,"Time's up you two, say your goodbyes."

Angel offered a thin smile to his father, " I guess I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah." Wayne watched as his Son gently hung up the phone, and stood, "Oh! Angel!" Angel turned to face his father, "call me when you and Buffy get married."

Angel laughed and nodded, "Of course."

And he was gone.

****

Two Months Later

"The blue or the white dress?" Buffy asked, spinning around to face Willow and Cordeila.

"White"

"Blue"

Buffy rolled her eyes, "You're NOT helping."

"Ok, scrach that." Cordy said, standing up, "White is bad, becasue if you spill something on it, it's going to be more noticeable then if you were wearing the blue."

Willow shugged, "Which is WHY you listen to me, always. Ignore Cordy."

Cordelia smirked, and flipped her hair over her shoulder, "Which is why, I'm Quess C and you're well not."

"That's enough you two, I want my date with Angel to be pleasent. Which means no cleaning blood stains off of my dress from your impending catfight. So, shut up and help me." Buffy ordered, slipping out of her rope and into her dress. Willow walked over and tied the straps that hold the dress up around Buffy's neck.

"OK, ok, ok. Willow, you do the make up, I'll do the hair." Cordelia said, pulling Buffy over to a chair.

Willow began putting on the makeup as Cordy whipped out the hairspray. Gently, Cordy pulled Buffys hair up into a tight french-twist, leaving a few stary hairs to frame her face.

Willow applied a small amount of blush to Buffy's cheeks, a touch of white eye shadow, and a whisper of clear lip gloss. WIllow was convinced that Buffy needed limited make-up due to the fact she was already beautfiul.

Putting the final touchs on Buffy's hair, Cordy stepped back to admire, " It looks great, definatly my best work yet. I still can't get over the fact that you and Angel have been dating for a year."

Willow stepped back also, " You're telling me. Oz didn't take me out for out one year annivercery."

"And yet, he did dye his hair your favorite color on your six month annivercery." Cordy quipped.

Willow smirked, "Hey, it looked awsome."

"Alright you two, lets see what you did to me." Buffy said, standing to face her floor lengh mirror.

The dress was pale blue, that fell to the floor. It tied around then neck, and from the bust line up, it was covered in little rhimstones. Buffy smiled, Angel was going to lose it.

"Buffy are you ready? Angel is here." Giles said, opening up her door. He stopped short when he saw his daughter. He was stunned, "Buffy, you look amazing."

"Thanks, Giles." She said kissing him on the cheek," But I should get going,"

The group of three followed, Buffy out the door and down the steps to Angel. She found him looking at a picture of her, when she was only eight years old.

"Hey." Buffy said, startling Angel.

He turned to face her, but was a lose for words. //amazning...beautfiul...stunning...goddess.../// "...Buffy...uhh...my gods...you..uhh..."

"Translation: Buffy you look stunning." Cordy quppied, walking down the steps and standing indetween the couple.

"You ready to go?" Buffy asked.

Unable to take his eyes off of her, Angel offered his arm and lead her out the door. The other three followed once again, watching them get in Angel's black convertable.

Oz and Xander, from the porche's swing, along with the others watched as Buffy and Angel took off down Rebello drive.

"10 bucks say that Buffy won't be coming home tonight." Xander said, flashing a ten dollar bill in the air.

"I say 15." Oz said, pulling the amount out of his pocket.

"Willow and I double it!" Codry shouted.

Giles smirked and reached in to pocket to pull out his wallet. He looked through and grinned, " I pull the stakes up to one hundred dollars."

The others put away their money.

****

"You really didn't have to go throught all of this for me." Buffy whispered across the table to Angel.

"Of course I did. It's our one year annervercery and I want it to be special." Angel replied, taking her hand in his.

Angel took Buffy to 'The Garden.' A five star italian resturant on the shore.

"Imean it Angel, this is way to much. I would've been satified with Chucky Cheeze." Buffy elaporated.

Angel just smiled and kissed her palm, "Happy annevercery."

And her heart just melted.

****

The walk home was peaceful and quite. No mysterious men stalking the street, no death threats, just the late spring air that was full with the scent of blooming flowers. the couple walked hand in hand up Rebello Drive and up to the Summer's residence.

"Thanks for walking me home." Buffy said tuning to face Angel.

"Of course. That's my Job you know." Angel took her in his arms and place a sweet kiss on her soft lips.

Buffy broke the kiss, when she noticed a peice of paper taped up on the door, "Oh, what's this?"

://:Buffy,

Had to make an emergancy run to LA,

Something to do with the art gallery

Be back by morning

Love, Giles://:

Buffy rolled her eyes, "Gotta love the meeting out of town," She went to turn the door nob, but found it locked."

Angel looked over her shoulder, "What's wrong?"

"Daddy Giles locked the door, and Buffy threw away the key," At his confused face, she smiled, "I forgot my key, so we're locked out."

He nodded in understanding," If you'd like, you could stay at my place for the night."

"You don't mind, do you?"

Angel gathered her in his arms, " Of course not."

****

"I cant believe it started raining!" Buffy screeched upon entering Angel's apartment.

Sure enough, the moment the two left the Summer's porch, it started pouring. Sheets of rain fell from the heavens, without a second of mercy.

Angel smiled at Buffy's childlike manner, "Its, OK, you can wear something of mine."

"Thank you," She replied sincerely, " and for once I'm glad that I didn't wear that white dress, because you know, rain and white clothing don't match and...well...I'll shut-up now."

She blushed and looked at the ground, obviously embarrassed. Angel lifted her chin, " hey, are you going to stay in those wet clothes, or you going to change?"

She nods and Angel gets a white sweatshirt, and a pair of black shorts from his armoire and hands them to her.

Softly she mummers," Thanks." And walks into Angel's bedroom.

Placing the cloths on the bed, Buffy reached up to her neck, intending on untying the two strings that held her dress up //Jeez, Willow really doesn't want me to actually get out of this dress//

"Angel?" She watched as he turned around to face her, "can you help me untie this?"

He swallowed hard and stood behind her, gently taking the small knot into his shaking fingers, with a small tug of one end, the knot easily fell out. Taking his time, Angel gently let his fingers graze the bare shoulders.

Buffy's whole body heated up, with just one caress. Tuning to face Angel, Buffy felt Angel's trembling fingers, and saw the passion in his eyes. With one quick motion, Angel captured her lips in his, bringing her down the soft mattress.

Out side the rain continued to fall.

//After eons of war and lifetimes
She smiling' and free, nothing' left
But a cracking voice and a song, oh lord //

****

They laid in silence, their bodies humming; an after shock of what just occurred. Angel's big body hovered over Buffy's small frame, her eyes going half mast as Angel's breath tickled her neck. Both bodies were covered in a light mist of sweat. Angel shifted off of Buffy, bringing her so she was spread out across his chest. Buffy's head was tucked in the crook of her lover's neck, and she could have sworn that he purred in satisfaction.

"That...that was..." Buffy stammered, gazing into Angel's eyes.

"Amazing," Angel finished, kissing behind her ear, " It was unbelievable."

Buffy smiled and yawned, " So sleepy..."

Angel gently kissed her soft lips, " Sleep, I love you."

"Love you too." She replied, drifting into a deep, content sleep.

****

Two years drifted by with relative ease. Buffy and Angel's relationship grew in enormous strength each day. With graduation one day away, Buffy began to worry. She *knew* that her relationship with Angel would never change, but the future would. decisions were going to be made, and Buffy wondered if Angel would make those decisions with her in or out of his life.

****

"I can't believe we're graduating in less then twelve hours!" Willow sighed happily, making her self comfortable in Oz's lap.

"Rewind and Play," Buffy mumbled into Angel's ear

"I just *can not* believe we're graduating!" Willow repeated.

Cordy threw popcorn at her face, " OK repet-o-girl, we got the point when you said it, oh, twenty-seven times ago!"

"Well, think about it, Cordelia! We're all going out into the world, we're going to meet new people, do new things, see new things! We're not going to be in Sunnyhell anymore!" Willow elaborated, " Who knows where we'll work, or if we stay with our boyfriends and girlfriends! If it doesn't scare you shitless then maybe you'd be better off in Sunnydale!"

Xander gasped, " Did Willow just curse?" He glared at Oz," You've corrupted our little Willow."

Oz held his hands up in defense, " I had *nothing* to do with that!"

"So, you're blaming it on herself? You just don't *become* corrupted!"

Oz arched his eyebrows, " I'm not going to win with you am I?"

Xander shrugged," Have you ever?"

"Good question."

"Guys! This is serious." Willow cut-in, "What if we never see each other again."

"She has a point," Cordy said, glancing at Xander.

"Guys, you're all overreacting." Buffy stated, standing up to face her friends and lover, " We'll always be friends, and even if we don't live in the same state, or even country, we'll *always* be friends. I have no doubt. We'll probably get together for Scooby gang reunions." She turned to face Angel, " I think the thing we have to worry about now are our personal relationships."

He smiled in return.

****

The graduation ceremony went smoothly, and the graduating class of two thousand and four were honored for all of their hard work at the UC Sunnydale University.

In the dimming light of the last hours of day, Buffy and Angel stood on the hill in the 'Shady Hill' park. They were wrapped up in each other embrace, and Angel gently stroking Buffy's back.

"You know, today was really great." Buffy whispered, her body being warmed by the last remaining rays of light.

"It was. I'm sorry to hear about Cordy and Xander." Angel replied, pulling Buffy tighter to his body.

Buffy frowned, "Me two. But it had to happen. With Cordy getting a modeling contact in New York, and Xander getting a construction Job somewhere in Atlantic City, New Jersey, They couldn't stay together, at least not right now."

Angel nodded, "Xander was pretty bummed."

"So was Cordy, She was devested. She cried for two hours straight. Hopefully those two will meet up again someday."

Angel smiled down at her, "I bet you they will. What about Willow and Oz?"

Buffy shrugged and turned in his arms, " Oz is like Willow's little puppy, he'll follow where ever she goes. It's cute, in a clingy sort of way."

The sound of laughter rose from his chest, but Buffy couldn't find the happiness to join in.

"I have to tell you something." Angel said, tucking her hair behind her ears, " I got that Job I applied for, the one at the gallery in New York."

Buffy smiled happily, but she was dying on the inside, " Sweetie, that's great. And you're going to take it right?"

He nodded.

She felt the sting of tears in her eyes, " Which probably means that the next step will be to break up with me."

Angel grinned, "Acutely I was kind of hoping you'd let me marry you."

Buffy almost choked, "Excuse me?"

Getting down on one knee, Angel took out a three stone, diamond engagement ring from his pocket, "Buffy Anne Summers, will you marry me someday?"

Straining between hysterical laughter and sobbing, Buffy sank to her knees, falling into Angel's warm chest cavity, "God yes. Yes, I will."

From the distance, Four long life friends watched the scene unravel.

"10 bucks, Xander." Oz said, laying his hand out in front of Xander's face.

"Hey, wait a minute! That's not fair! I didn't know until like two minutes ago that you actually went with him to pick out the ring, other wise you wouldn've had a clue to what he was going to do today." Xander argued.

Oz eye brows arched, "Don't make me go wolfy on you."

Xander huffed," Yeah right, Just cause we could do that in our past life, doesn't mean that you can do it now."

"You want to try your odds?" Oz questioned, rolling up his sleeves.

"Now, now you two." Giles said strolling up behind them, " Let's play nice. We just did some good here, lets not ruin the moment."

Willow grinned, as Wesley walked up behind her, followed by Joyce, "This is like a Scooby reunion, only in a different dimension."

Joyce nodded, "Yes, I got to say, the whole, 'Joyce is dead' gig really was a hit here."

Cordelia turned to face Giles, " Do we really have to go back, to a world with vampires and other things that go bump in the night?"

Giles smiled sympathetically, " Unfortunately yes, while things are calm here, now that Buffy and Angel are together in this dimension, they are not in the other."

"Yet!" Willow pointed out.

"Rupert, I'm still confused here." Joyce interrupted.

"And under twenty sentences please." Xander quipped, but Giles ignored him.

"There's a prophesy regarding Angel and his shanshu, or his redemption, and in order to achieve it he's going to have to balance the score between good and evil, even in different universes, such as this one." Giles elaborated.

"But which balance between good and evil did fix here?" Joyce asked

"His father."

Xander smirked, " Since he killed his last one."

"So how many more 'balances' does Angel have to fix? Until the prophecy is, you know, fulfilled?" Cordy asked, watching Buffy and Angel kiss in the distance.

"One more." Wesley answered.

"Which is? How many more evil things is it going to kill to get a pulse?" Xander asked, pointed to his wrist for emphasis.

"Himself. He's got to defeat his demons."

The group turned and walked away, knowing that if Buffy and Angel can't be together in their dimension now, they can at least be happy now.

The name of this fic came from this quote:

"In a perfect world Human beings would co-exsist harmoniously, like a rainbow. A mulitiude of colors, each layer vibrant and clear by itself but in unison...boundless, breathtaking, and celestial. If you look closly, there's a story here, with a very happy ending. After every storm-if you look hard enough-a rainbow appears."

-Mariah Carey

So, in short, if you look hard enough into every situation, no matter how difficult it seems, there's a light shinning through the clouds somewhere, and if you can't see it then maybe you aren't looking hard enough, or you just don't want to see it.

Send feedback to Alyssa

Back to the Fanfiction Archive