Disclaimer: They're not mine, I really wish they were, I'd treat them all so much better than stupid old Joss the acid man Whedon but they still belong to him, why is it that Anya can never be a demon when you want her to? I'd like to wish a few things on Joss!
Rating: Normal Buffy stuff.
Spoilers: Um, I really don't think there are any? .. anything up to the end of S3 I guess.
Summary: The Scooby Gang goes to a fair, Angel hears about a prophecy that concerns Buffy and goes back to Sunnydale to help her.
Distribution: You want it? Take it. Just tell me where it's going.
Author's Note: First of all, Riley makes me completely sick! Which is why I chose to post this story! I wrote this before I found out anything about S4 of BtVS or S1 of Angel so none of the characters that were added on then exist. Poor Doyle! I'm sorry Doyle. Oh no! Spike! Maybe I'll find a way to add him in Naw, I'll put them in the next story. There, all fixed. Now I'll stop babbling so you can read the story

"There's a fair this weekend! Isn't that cool!? Oh we have to go! All of us! '´ Willow exclaimed excitedly at lunch.

"I don't know Will, I'm sure it'll be fun and all, but I just don't feel up to it, '´ Buffy sighed.

"Oh Buffy! You can't mean that! There hasn't been a fair here in years! Ooh! Remember last time Xander?! When you ate all that cotton candy and got sick on the Tilt-O-Whirl?? '´ Willow recalled giggling slightly.

"How could I forget! You have to come Buff! You can? '˛t pass up an opportunity like that! Seeing me puke all over the place! You have to come! You've been depressed ever since Ang- the ascension!? '´ Xander told her.

But it was the truth. She'd been horribly depressed ever since Angel had left Sunnydale last year. She just couldn't bring herself to forget him and move on, every time she had the urge to it lasted maybe ten seconds then she'd be back down in her depths of despair. Her friends had been good though, they'd been careful to not mention him, so not to make her feel worse.

"Oh, I know, but, I'm just not in a fairish mood. You guys can go, have fun. Besides, seeing people puke makes me nauseous,'´ Buffy replied softly.

Xander looked at her puzzled.

"You? The Vampire Slayer? Who sees things thousands of times worse, gets sick from someone tossing their cookies? '´ Xander asked.

Buffy just shrugged.

"I can't help it, maybe it's the smell? '´

"Don't criticize Buffy! Seeing people puke makes lots of people feel sick! And you're no one to talk! Mr. I'm nineteen-and-still-afraid-of-clowns!" Willow retorted in her friends defense.

"Very true, and besides, Xander doesn't have to eat so much cotton candy and we can keep him away from the Tilt-O-Whirl.? '´ Oz piped in after being quiet for so long.

"Well, alright, I guess it wouldn't hurt, '´ Buffy sighed.

"Great! And Will and I will make sure Xander stays away from fluffy sugar treats,'´ Oz said.

Buffy laughed, she was surprised, she was surprised she could be happy at all under the circumstances she was under. But misery was a strange thing, and she found herself laughing more, despite herself at Xander's response.

"What do you mean 'Keep me away from fluffy sugar treats?' I LIVE for fluffy sugar treats! '´

They left the table in the college cafeteria, failing to notice the exotic looking girl who'd been eavesdropping on them the entire time.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was Friday night, the night before the fair opened and everyone was putting up their finishing touches on their stands or tents or were testing the rides to make sure they were all working properly, all except for the fortune tellers tent, where underneath the dark canopy a strange meeting of people and demons was taking place.

"But remember, you must not kill the warriors, you will leave that to us.'´ An elderly man with a strong European accent told the group of demons.

"What kind of hoax is this?! '´ one of them shouted.

"We were born to kill! It is what we do! '´ another hissed.

"No! You must not! Otherwise it will not work! You will be rewarded in the end, trust me, '´ he continued. *If the Slayer spares you '* he added to himself.

"What will not work? '´ another demon questioned.

"You'll find out when the time comes.? '´ The man whispered.

Just then, the young girl who was eavesdropping on Buffy and her friends walked out from behind a curtain, now dressed in more gypsy- like clothing. The old man turned to her.

"Ah! Atalaya! You have decided to join us! What have you heard in ways of the Slayer today? '´ he asked.

The girl smiled. Sweetly but there was a mischievous glare in her eyes.

"The Slayer and her friends will be her this weekend. It's definite, '´ Atalaya replied.

"Good, very good, '´ The man praised.

"Won't they be surprised about what they'll be in for Uncle? '´ the girl sung.

"Yes, yes they will. And what about Angelus?? '´ Uncle asked.

"Worry not about the nosferateau, he will be here, trust me,'´ the girl replied. The man nodded.

"He had better, he is essential in the curse,'´ he reminded her.

"Yes, yes Uncle, I've been told many times! Do not vex me! You know I am the only one who can perform the spell. '´ Atalaya retorted.

"Don't get smart with me girl! '´ the man reprimanded.

Atalaya merely glared at him.

"Just a question Atalaya, but what if they do not some by here? '´ a lady who had been standing quietly by a table set up with a crystal ball and Tarot cards.

Atalaya walked over to her.

"You mustn't worry, they will, I know it. They slayer will want to do something supposedly 'surreal' that will stray as far away from her life as possible. And what's better than fortunetelling? Considering it's usually fake? '´ She snorted and lifted up her crystal ball,"But she will be very surprised about how accurate my telling will really be? '´ She whispered cryptically as an eerie green cloud began to stir inside the crystal ball.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Angel sat alone in his small LA apartment, miserable, as usual, as if he didn't deserve to be! He'd hurt Buffy, in the worst way possible, he deserved a couple hundred more years in hell if you asked him, but of course since he lived in such a dismal, run-down place in town away from everyone and everything, no one could. All he had to keep him company were his memories of Sunnydale and Buffy. And no matter how hard he tried to think of the good times he always started thinking of that horrible night in the sewers, or that one not to soon after that when he left her standing alone in the road after the ascension. And it always broke his heart. Over and over, time and time again, knowing that he'd broken hers. After all the times she'd risked her life for him, the time she'd given her life for him! It made him so guilty to know that she'd nearly been killed all those times and that most of them had been his fault. And it was that guilt that kept him from running back to Sunnydale. Knowing that if he did, the next time, she may not be so lucky.

He was startled suddenly by a knock at the door. Angel got up and slowly opened it. What he was expecting, he wasn't sure, but he was puzzled to see Whistler standing there.

"If it ain't ol' Sewer Boy! How's it goin' here in Los Angeles? I heard about you and the Slayer there, such a pity. I always thought you were stupid, but not that much! Now, what in hell possessed you to do that?!? '´ Whistler lectured as he waltzed into Angel's apartment.

"Thank you for having so much faith in me,'´ Angel replied sarcastically as he shut the door, "What are you doing here anyway? '´ he asked.

"Oh, you're gonna love this one! '´ Whistler chuckled. You've gotta go back to Sunnydale,'´ he told him.

If Angel could have gone any paler he would have.

"I can't,'´ he stated simply as he turned away from Whistler.

"Ah, I see. So, you'd rather your precious Buffy die then? '´ Whistler asked.

Angel spun around to face him.

"What?! '´ he asked, horrified.

"Big prophecy in the making, Slayer's in big danger. Thought you'd wanna help but.. '´

"Of course I want to,'´ Angel replied.

"Great! Then let's g-"

"But I can't. Not after the way I left her, '´ Angel said, cutting him off.

"Whatd'ya mean? You have to, she doesn't even know there is a prophecy yet. By the time she does, it could be too late,'´ Whistler told him.

A flashback of Buffy lying unconscious on the cold stone floor of the mansion with blood trickling down her neck flashed through Angel's head. No! he thought,I can't let her die!

"I'll go,'´ he told Whistler.

"Great! I'll go wait in the car, don't take too long now! I know how you women are,'´ Whister exclaimed and slammed the door shut behind him.

(About the 'women'´ comment? Oh come on! It's such a Whistler thing! He'd so say that! Do you seriously think I meant it? You have to be joking! The only ? 'woman'´ on either show is Riley!)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Whistler and Angel drove to Sunnydale that night.

"So, what is this prophecy anyway?? '´ Angel asked him.

"I'm not sure, I don't know much about it, only that it's bigger than anything that the Slayer has ever fought before, '´ Whistler explained.

"Like anything could be harder to fight than an ascension,'´ Angel scoffed.

"Well, whatever this is, is. I can tell you don't believe me, but you should. Even ask that watcher guy to check the Codex, it's in there, '´ he relpied.

Whistler drove up to the mansion.

"The sun'll be up soon, go talk to her tomorrow night, '´ Whistler told him then drove off.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Buffy, Willow, Oz, and Xander walked through the fair the next night trying to ignore all the annoying people working at the carnival games who were calling to them.

"Ooh! Look at that necklace!? '´ Willow exclaimed as they passed a little shop, a little Celtic shop. They all walked into the tent and looked around. Buffy fought back tears and stayed quiet for her friends' sakes.

"Oh Buffy! Look at this ring! Isn't it pretty!? '´ Willow exclaimed, holding up a small silver ring with two hands holding a heart with a crown sitting on top of it. Buffy felt like dying then and there, or maybe just breaking down and sobbing but instead managed to stammer softly,

'I-it's very pretty'´

"You like it Will? I'll buy one for you, '´ Oz told her.

"Oh Oz! You're the best! '´ Willow exclaimed hugging him tightly.

"Ah, this is a very special ring,? '´ the shopkeeper said with a heavy Irish accent,"it's"

"A Claddagh ring, the crown stands for loyalty, the hands for friendship, and the heart for love,'´ Buffy finished.

"Why yes! Are you Irish lass?? '´ he asked her.

:Well, no, but I've known people who were'´ she replied.

"Hey, wait a second Buff, didn't I see you with a ring like that? I remember you had one, or maybe one similar,'´ Xander asked her.

"Actually, yeah, Angel gave me one for my birthday, '´ Buffy told him, reminiscing a bit on the memory.

"Was he by any chance Irish? Excuse me for asking, '´ The shopkeeper asked.

"Well, yeah, he was,'´ Buffy replied.

:"How peculiar,'´ The shopkeeper murmured.

"What? Why? '´ Buffy asked puzzled.

"Well, you Americans wouldn't know what these rings are sometimes used for but I'd expect that someone Irish would... '´

"What are they used for? '´ Buffy asked, almost afraid of what the answer might be.

"Well, in Ireland, they're used as wedding bands,'´ he began.

Buffy's jaw dropped open, she stood there for a couple of seconds then ran from the tent..

"Buffy! '´ Willow shouted then chased after her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Willow found her a few minutes later in the empty stands set up before a stage, crying.

"Buffy? '´ Willow asked her softly.

"Oh God Willow!? '´ She sobbed as Willow sat down beside her and put an arm around her.

"I-it's what I'd always wanted! It's what I'd always dreamed of! And when I find out that it's already come true it's too late! '´ she wept.

"Shhh, it's alright Buffy, I mean, who says you'll never see him again? I bet'cha he'll realize he's made the biggest mistake of his life and he'll come back to you! '´ Willow replied.

Buffy managed a faint smile.

"I doubt it Will, but thanks anyway."

Willow smiled as they stood up.

"What are friends for? Hey! I saw a fortuneteller's tent on my way over here, what do you say? You wanna go get your fortune told? '´ Willow asked.

"Why the hell not? Nothing better then a fake happy fortune,'´ Buffy replied and they ran off.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

They both walked into the fortuneteller's tent at the same time.

"Ah! Buffy! Willow! I've been expecting you! Please! Come and sit down!? '´ a young girl sitting at a small round table said.

"Freaky´ Willow whispered to Buffy as they sat down across from her.

"Which would you prefer? Tarot cards? Or the crystal ball? '´ they girl asked.

"You go first,´ Willow told Buffy.

"Crystal ball, I've had bad experiences with Tarot cards. '´ Buffy replied.

"Alright, let me see.. you go to the local college don't you? Yes, that's right, and you have a dorm with Willow here? ' Ah, what's this? Something tragic has happened to you last year? Yes, I see. A young man? ' Angel, Is it? He left you didn't he? Said he couldn't give you the life you deserved... '´ the girl told Buffy. Buffy's face grew pale,

"How, how did you know that?? '´ Buffy murmured.

"Why, it's all right here, in my crystal ball, I also see you have quite a responsibility about you, isn't that right? You also have quite a fight in the near future. You must be on your guard'´ She whispered.

"How do you know all this?! You're freaking me out! I'm outta here! Let's go Will, '´ Buffy stammered as they got up and ran from the tent.

The girl smiled and giggled as the door to the tent closed behind them.

"So?´ the old man asked, coming out from the back of the tent.

"They definitely suspect something! Oh this is so much fun!´ she laughed.

"Our next victim? '´ the man asked her.

The girl smiled mischievously,

"Angelus.. '´ she whispered.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Angel walked into the fair grounds and headed towards a small tent near the back of the fair. He'd sensed evil forces there ever since he'd passed by it earlier that night. He stepped inside to see a girl sitting at a small round table with a crystal ball in front of her.

"Angelus, I've been waiting for you! I guess it took you awhile to get here from Los Angeles though, hmmmmmm, interessting.. '´ She muttered as she gazed intently into her crystal ball, " you are, well, a vampire! '´ she gasped.

Angel was speechless.

"How, how? '´

" How did I know? Simple! The same way that I know you love a girl, her name is.. Buffy? How ironic that she be a Vampire Slayer! You left her because of her mother, she's why you are back here at the Boca Del Inferno (I think that's what Angel called it on'Welcome to the Hellmouth), she's in danger, you want to help her, keep her safe... '´ she continued.

"Who the hell are you!? How do you know all of this?!? '´he demanded.

"I see it all here! In my crystal ball! '´ she laughed, Angel ran.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Buffy and her friends sat in the stands watching the variety show.

'You guys want drinks?? '´ Buffy asked them.

'Yeah! '´ they all replied.

'I'll buy,'´ she replied and pulled out her wallet.

'No! Buffy! You can't do that! '´ Willow said.

'Yes I can! You guys managed to actually get me out of the house tonight, it's my treat! '´ she replied as she stood up.

'Hey Buff, do you think...?"

"No Cotton Candy, Xander, '´ she replied.

"Gotcha! '´ he replied. And Buffy walked off.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Slowly and carefully, Buffy walked back to her friends attempting to juggle 4 drinks in two hands and so far wasn't doing too bad. I'm surprised I lasted so long in that waitressing job two summers ago! she thought.

Too involved in trying not to spill the drinks, and not watching where she was going she ran into someone and the drinks fell to the ground, the contents spilling into the grass.

"Oh God! I'm so sorry! Are you alright!?? '´ the person asked.

"Yeah I'm fine, and it was my fault! I should've known better than to try to carry four drinks all at..." she looked up at the person,"Angel? '´ she whispered.

"Buffy?! '´ he exclaimed.

"Wh-what are you doing here? '´ she asked as they stood up, their eyes glued on each other.

"Looking for you. We've gotta go see Giles,'´ he told her.

Buffy sighed, He'll leave because he doen't want to be with me but he'll come running back the second I'm in danger, how comforting. she thought sadly.

"I'll go get the others. '´ she said and they headed back towards the stage.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Hey guys, look what I found wandering around the fair! Can I keep him?'´ Buffy asked her friends sarcastically.

For as long as you want to, Angel wanted to answer but bit his tongue instead.

Willow, Xander and Oz all turned around,

"Angel! '´ she exclaimed.

"Hey! It's Dead Boy! What'cha doin' here Soul Man? '´ Xander asked.

'Trouble with the paranormal, I need to go see Giles. You guys can stay here if you want to though,'´ Buffy replied.

'Naw, we're your friends! You go, we go, like Mary and her lamb, '´ Oz replied. Buffy laughed.

'Then let's get going my little sheep, '´ she said sarcastically.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

'And that's all you know? '´ Giles asked Angel once they had reached Giles' house.

'Yeah, that's all Whistler told me, that it's this weekend, and that it's bigger than the ascension. '´ Angel confirmed.

'Whistler! That little...'´ Buffy grumbled to herself.

'It's supposedly in the Codex, if you want to go look, '´ he offered.

'Yes, yes, maybe I should go check'´ Giles said.

~*~

'That fool! He said it was in the Codex! They'll see there's no prophecy there! '´ the old man cursed as he Atalaya, and the woman watched Buffy and her Scooby Gang through the crystal ball.

'Hush Uncle! I've cast a spell! It's in there! Don't worry! '´ Atalaya whispered.

~*~

'Why yes! Here it is Oh dear... '´Giles exclaimed after reading it.

'What?? '´ Buffy asked.

'Well, in simpler terms, There is a girl here in Sunnydale, she has the power to open up portals from Hell, the Underworld's demons will decimate the world' Giles explained to them.

'I can see why Whistler said I needed help... '´ Buffy muttered.

'Yeah, but, who's the girl? '´ Oz asked.

"Oz does have a very good point, we must find out-'

'The fortuneteller, '´ Buffy interrupted.

'Exactly what I was thinking, '´ Angel agreed.

Buffy raised an eyebrow at him.

'You went to get your fortune told? '´ she asked, slightly amused.

'No, but I sensed something evil there. '´ He explained.

'I thought she was slightly evil myself. Well, let's go kick her ass. '´ Buffy said.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Buffy and Angel crept into the Fair grounds after closing time,

'Angel? '´ Buffy whispered.

'Yeah? '´

'You're leaving again after this, aren't you?? '´ she asked quietly.

Angel felt his heart break again.

'Yeah, I am. '´ he replied quietly, he wanted to say no, that he'd stay with her, but he knew he couldn't. It wasn't just what her mother had said, if it had been just that he would have stayed, it was the damn curse. They couldn't even be together and that's what made him leave.

They found the fortuneteller sitting just outside the tent chanting.

'I don't think you want to do that,'´ Buffy said.

'On the contrary, slayer,'´ she whispered.

'Well, I still think you should stop,'´ Buffy told her when suddenly a portal opened on either side of the girl and demons began to pour out, what Buffy and Angel didn't know was that the demons were only coming from inside the fortuneteller's tent.

'Too late,'´ the girl said, smiling mischieviously

'Damn! '´ Buffy cursed as she attacked one of the charging demons.

As Buffy and Angel fought the girl began to chant again. Her eyes glowing green, she raised her hands above her head and a white ball of energy formed. It crackled with magick as she threw it at Angel. He felt like lightning had just shot through him. He dropped to his knees then the demons disappeared.

'Angel!? '´ Buffy screamed and ran over to him.

'What did you do to him?! '´ Buffy demanded of the girl as an old man and a woman approached her.

'There was no prophecy. But we knew that the only Angelus would come to Sunnydale was if you were in trouble, Slayer,'´ The girl explained.

'What did you do to him?! Buffy demanded again still kneeling beside Angel.

The girl sighed.

'We are of the Romani tribe,'´ The girl said. Buffy's eyes grew wide, as did Angel's.

'We have communicated with Janna, or you may know her as Jenny Calendar, she says that Angelus and you both deserve happiness for your sacrifices. She told us that your only happiness is with each other. So, as a reward, we have made Angelus's curse permanent, the clause has been removed,'´ The girl said.

Buffy's jaw dropped.

'Angelus is no longer a threat to our tribe, so we wish you luck,'´ the girl said and they disappeared, tent and all. Buffy looked back at Angel,

'Angel? Are you alright? '´ she asked.

Angel grabbed her, pulled her close and kissed her.

'I love you,'´ he whispered when they broke off.

Buffy choked back a happy sob,

'I love you too.. '´

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Back at the mansion later that night, They were still kissing, Buffy finally broke it off,

'I'll take this as meaning you're not leaving,? '´ she said.

'you interpret me well,'´ he replied smiling down at her.

Buffy laughed,

'Don't you have to go back to...Wherever you were, and get your stuff? '´ Buffy asked.

'Nope, it can stay where it is, it? '˛s all replaceable. You, on the other hand, are not,'´ Angel told her.

Buffy smiled then rested her head on his chest.

'God Angel, I missed you so much! I was miserable! '´ Buffy whispered.

'I missed you too, so much. I had to fight with myself everyday to keep from running back here to you? ' But I guess that was pointless,'´ he replied.

'No it wasn't. Things happen for a reason, and you came back when you did for a reason, and a very good one at that! '´ Buffy said. Angel smiled.

'How could I have let you go? '´ he asked, Buffy smiled this time,

'But you caught me again, and that's what counts. Right? '´ she asked.

'Definitely. But enough talking, we have to catch up in other ways too... '´ He said smiling slyly.

'Mind telling me in what other ways? '´ Buffy asked smiling back.

'You'll see'´ he answered and led her into the bedroom.

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