Part 6

June 8, 1998
Crawford Street Mansion
3:11 pm

"I think its working!" yelled Cordelia over the loud wind that had picked up inside the circle.

The group had been researching for 2 days straight until they had come upon a ritual to bring a soul back from the hell dimension. They had gone to the mansion that morning to set things up, and had begun the ritual 11 minutes ago. Willow and Giles had created a four circles of the elements around the stone demon, a pentagram drawn in the middle. The five of them stood on each of the points, Willow was the one who had worked the spell, although they each contributed their energy to help Angel escape. Xander, had been the one to contribute the blood that had been needed for the ritual to be done correctly, and even though slightly pale from the loss, had insisted on performing in the ceremony.

Joyce was pressed into the corner of the room, watching wide eyed as the five people that had shared in her daughter's secret began something that she had never comprehended. She had watched, unbelieving as Mr. Giles and Willow had drawn a circle of salt, then one of sprinkled water, another of simple air blown, and finally, one of candles, fire. They had said that the four circles were for protection, to make sure the anything that they called would not be able to leave without them wanting it to. The grotesque stone sculpture stood in the middle, bathed in the blood that Xander had given by cutting his palm, and adorned with a wreath of herbs and charms.

Then the five had taken places at each point in the circle and Willow had begun a chant, eyes closed. The remaining four had spoken different phrases at particular points, each one focused on the thing in the center of the circle. She had watched as a wind had suddenly picked up when Willow had stopped, both hands outstretched toward the demon. Half of her mind was telling her that she was dreaming, that this wasn't happening, but her awake part told her that this was real, this was true. This was the sort of thing that her daughter and her friends had dealt with for two years.

A portal of swirling colors suddenly swallowed the stone figure up. Joyce blinked, unsure of what was happening as a tall black figure stepped from the portal, glowing red eyes focused on Willow.

"Who summons me here?"

"We do. We wish for a soul to be released."

"Angelus. I know of this. Two of you have held contempt for him. Why should I release him? The master enjoys having him here. He is a monster, this is where he belongs."

"He belongs here. He has a soul. The Powers that Be still have a need for him," replied Willow.

"It wasn't Angel who did those deeds, it was the demon Angelus. They are two different beings."

"Your pledge is acknowledged. The demon will stay here. But more power is needed. The Higher Ones wish him to remain below."

"Use mine." Xander's voice was loud and clear, and for once in his life, not demeaning or sarcastic or joking. "I helped put him where he is, I should help get him out."

"Done."

The demon suddenly was gone, and five bursts of light shot from the portal, each connecting with the five humans offering their power. After a few seconds, all but one disappeared as Xander's body convulsed with the power that was being drained from him. A few seconds after that, that light disappeared as well, and a nude body suddenly fell from the portal, scorching the floor black around his body as it shook and shivered.

The wind disappeared and Xander fell to the ground. With that, everyone seemed to move at once. Cordelia screamed and lunged for him, cradling his head in her lap. Willow unabashedly moved to the figure in the center of the circle, mumbling a few lines to dispel the protection circles. Oz went to the couch where a blanket was folded and brought it over to his girlfriend, who blushed as she covered the nude form.

Joyce moved to her daughter's best friend. "Is he okay?"

"The time spent in hell would have been very traumatic for him. He should be fine, as he wasn't in there very long, but he will need our help," replied Giles. "Cordelia, how is Xander?"

"I don't...he's coming around!" exclaimed the dark haired girl as her boyfriend's eyes fluttered open. "You stupid moron! Why did you do that! You could have been killed!"

"I love you too Cordy. How's Angel, Wills?"

"He's breathing! Giles! He's breathing!"

"Buffy?" Angels words were labored and seemed painful. His eyes opened slightly, and looked at each of their faces as they looked down at him. "Where's Buffy?"

Part 7

June 10, 1999
Daily Planet Office
4:45 pm

"Jimmy! Company!"

Jimmy looked across the press room to the elevators. Seven strangers he'd never seen before in his life stood there looking around the room. Crossing over to them, he approached the oldest guy, a man dressed in a tweed suit, even though it had to be 90 degrees outside. "I'm Olson. Can I help you?"

"Um yes, quite. We're looking for a young girl, blonde hair..."

"She used your name and server," added a redheaded girl who seemed to have noticed his puzzled expression.

"Buffy? Why are you looking for her?"

"Jimmy, what's going on?" asked Lois, having heard her young friend's name.

"They're looking for Buffy." Lois's eyes went wide and she lowered her coffee cup.

"Who are you?"

The oldest woman spoke. "I'm her mother. Now where the hell is my daughter?"

"I think we'd better talk. Follow me." Lois moved to the conference room, calling for Clark as they passed his desk. Shutting the doors behind her, she turned to study the group. The woman claiming to be Buffy's mother was taller than her daughter, and thin, with shoulder length curls. The older man was tall, dressed in a tweed jacket. Wire frames perched on his nose. That had to be Giles. A tiny girl with shoulder length red hair, clung to a boy's hand whose nails were painted blue and had blueish hair. The last girl was tall, with long dark hair and standing next to a dark haired boy. The last stranger was tall and handsome, with thick, spiky dark hair. He looked about 5 years older than the other teens, and his face held a touch of sadness and pain. They all looked worried.

The conference door opened and Clark came in. "Lois?"

"They're looking for Buffy."

"So she is here. Where is she? Is she okay?" asked the red head.

"Shh baby, they'll tell us."

"Or not," added the dark haired girl.

"Hold on everyone," interrupted Clark. "Buffy is fine. Now do you mind telling us who you are?"

"My name is Rupert Giles, " said Tweed Guy. "This is Buffy's mother, Joyce Summers and her friends, Willow, Oz, Cordelia and Xander."

"And Angel," added Willow, placing a hand on the guy's arm.

"I'm Clark Kent. This is my wife, Lois Lane. Its nice to meet you all, but I don't think Buffy wants to see you."

"But why?"

"Guilt, pain, memories. She's been having nightmares, when she sleeps anyway. We've gotten her to talk to us about some of it, but it doesn't seem that whatever we say is working."

"I take it you know of her night job," said Giles."

Clark nodded. "She rescued Lois. And she's staying at our house."

"We want to see her."

"She's working right now, I got her a job in the research department. She gets off soon, so why don't we head back to our house, and you can confront her there. It might be a little easier on her." Lois suddenly turned a look to Angel. "Aren't you supposed to be in hell?"

The man looked somewhat grim. "I was."

"We got him back," said Xander, placing a hand on the ex-vampire's shoulder.

"Weren't you...I'm not going to ask."

Part 8

Kent's Brownstone
5:35 pm.

"Lois, Clark, I'm home," called out Buffy, tiredly entering the Kent's home. She had been out late the night before, and when she had gotten back in, sleep had not wanted to visit her.

"Buffy!"

She stood shocked as her mother embraced her, not sure if it was a dream or not. She looked around the room. Giles, Willow, Oz, Xander, even Cordelia were standing there, with Lois and Clark holding onto each other. "Mom? Guys? How did..." Buffy broke off as a figure in the back of the group caught her eye. And he was standing in the late afternoon sun that was filtering through the open window. "Angel," she said before weariness, pain, guilt and shock overrode her senses and she fainted in her mother's arms.

5:41 pm

Buffy waded through the darkness, listening to those around her, unable to speak.

"Is she okay?" asked a girl's voice.

"She'll be fine. She fainted," said another. Willow.

"I imagine the events of the past weeks and our appearance today has taken quite a toll on her." Giles, Buffy decided.

"She was fine until she saw Deadboy, er Angel. We should have broken it to her easy."

"Xander, she probably would have still fainted."

"Angel..."Buffy moaned, managing to finally get it out. Had it been her imagination? She missed him so much. She'd finally gotten him back and had turned around and betrayed him for the second time. Tears streamed from closed eyes. "Angel, I'm so sorry."

"Angel, I think she needs you," said a soft voice. Willow. He must have balked because Willow suddenly went off. "Damn it Angel. I don't care if you think she's better off without you. She loves you and if I'm right, she feels guilty for the whole thing."

Buffy slowly awoke, her eyes staying closed, hoping that he really was there, as she pulled herself up and tried to disappear into the corner of the couch, softly calling for Angel. Strong arms embraced her, holding her tightly to a familiar chest. A head rested gently on her shoulder, murmuring soft words into her ear. She became more aware of him, and began to cry harder. "Angel? Oh God. How? I'm so, so, so sorry. I didn't know. I had to..."

"Buffy, shh. Its all right. Its not your fault. I understand."

Her arms came around his neck, pressing her body against his, every cell screaming to be touched after so long. "Oh Angel, if we hadn't...if I hadn't...I'm so sorry."

Angel seemed to understand instantly. "Buffy, don't. That night...I wouldn't change that night if I could. It was everything I had dreamed about since you knocked me on my back the first time we met. I only wish I could have been there for you the next morning."

Buffy pulled away, resting her forehead against his, and looked at him. She placed a wondering hand against his sunshine-lit cheek. "How?"

"The gang." His hand covered her own, and he turned to place a kiss in her palm. "Are you all right."

Buffy nodded weakly. "Give me a little time to absorb all this, and I will be." She seemed to forget anyone else was there as she spoke her next words. "I love you."

"Buffy, " he paused, then sighed deeply, his breath coming out warm on her cheek. "I love you." Slowly, softly, their lips met, clinging sweetly to each other. Both still hurting, they broke it off, and Angel pressed a kiss to her forehead as she shifted to lean on his shoulder.

Finally, their audience broke their silence. The couples had drawn closer to one another, and Giles had shifted uncomfortably, while Joyce had begun to understand that her little girl was no longer little.

"We've missed you Buffy," said Willow. "Its been hard without you."

Buffy gave her friends a weak smile. "I'm sorry guys. I just couldn't deal."

"You're coming home now right?" asked Cordelia. "Not that I care, but trying to take your place slaying was killing my social life."

"Of course she is," said Xander. "You are, right, Buff?"

"Well..."

"Buffy, I'm sorry about what I said," apologized her mother.

Buffy looked at her mom, knowing that the woman had to deal with a lot in the past couple of weeks. And for a brief moment, she and her mother were on the same level. "I know Mom. I would like to come home. Its just, I don't know why you'd want me. I've caused so much pain. And I've been through so much, I don't know how I'm going to deal."

Giles moved to stand near the couple, and he place a hand on her shoulder. "We want you to come home Buffy."

Willow nodded and sat beside her best friend, placing a slim hand on Buffy's. "And we'll help you deal with whatever you need to deal with. You've been cleared of all charges, and Giles made Snyder change his mind about that expulsion, so all you need to do now is decide to come home."

Buffy gave them a grim smile and looked to Angel. "Are you coming with us?"

"Nothing could stop me."

"Then I'm going home."

Part 9

June 11
Kent Brownstone
1:54 am

Buffy awoke that night sharing a bed with her mom. Laying there for a moment, she listened to the steady breaths of her mom and Cordelia and Willow, who were sharing the floor. She vaguely remembered her dream, it was one of the ones that she'd been having ever since Angel had been sent to hell, and she knew that sleep was not going to come easily to her if she just laid there. As quietly as possible, she pulled back the covers and slipped from the bed, carefully tiptoeing around her friends on the floor. Soundlessly, she made her way downstairs to where the boys had set up for the night. Xander was snoring, sprawled in one of the armchairs, and Oz was curled up on the floor, using an arm for a pillow. Angel was stretched out on the couch, his face relaxed in sleep.

"Angel?" she whispered his name quietly as she stood beside him, careful not to startle him.

Dark, bleary eyes looked up at her in concern. He made a move to get up, but she shook her head, pushing him back down as she perched on the couch beside him. The thin blanket that he was using did not do much to hide the well sculpted chest that was clothed in a tight black wife beater. "Buffy, are you all right? Why aren't you asleep?"

"I'm fine. Do you think you could make room for me? I had a nightmare, and I think I just need to be with you right now."

Angel nodded and lifted the blanket away from his chest. He felt the same way. He moved so that she could lay with her back against the back of the couch, allowing his shoulder for a pillow as he covered them both more fully with the blanket. One of her arms hesitantly came to rest on his chest as she got comfortable. Angel's arm automatically tightened his hold of her.

"You have a heartbeat," she whispered, her fingers lightly tracing his chest where the resounding thump thump was proof of his humanity.

"I know. I have your friends to thank for it. After everything that I did to them, they were able to look past everything."

"It wasn't you Angel. That was the only way I survived. It wasn't you who did those things. It was Angelus, the demon and he's gone for good now."

"Buffy, I'm so proud of you. You went through so much and managed to survive."

"Barely."

"You survived," he murmured into her hair, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "That's the important thing. And I have to tell you, I'm not completely human. Think of it as a mortal vampire. I have all of their strengths, but none of their weaknesses. I'm going to be able to fight with you still."

"Angel...that isn't important to me. It never was. Sure it was nice to have someone along who could fight just as well as I could and I didn't have to worry about it...but it isn't what made me fall in love with you. But I'm so very happy for you." She was quiet for a moment as she rested on his chest, listening to the steady sound of his heartbeat as she watched his chest rise and fall with each breath he took. "I love you."

"I love you too, my love."

3:16 am

Joyce Summers awoke by herself in an unfamiliar bed. Yawning, she turned over, wanting to be able to look at her daughter and reassure herself that she had really found her. But as she focused on her daughter's side of the bed, Buffy was missing! Climbing from the bed, she was careful to not wake up the two girls asleep on the floor in sleeping bags. She'd probably just gotten up to go to the bathroom, but after being gone for 2 weeks, Joyce wanted to make sure. She felt the panic rising in her as she found the bathroom empty. As quickly as possible, she went to Giles' room, thinking that her daughter had gone to speak with the man that had seemed to take the place of the father that Buffy seemed to need.

She tried to stay calm as that idea was fruitless and she made her way downstairs, almost falling when she halted as she spotted her daughter. Buffy was resting in Angel's arms, a blanket covering the pair as they slept peacefully. She approached the pair tentatively, half filled with the desire to rip her from his embrace. The look on their faces though, Buffy's most of all, that decided her against such an action. Both looked calm, and happy. More than she'd Angel since he'd out of the portal, calling out for Buffy. And more than she'd seen Buffy in years, since she'd become the Slayer, she guessed. The man was holding her daughter possessively, and Buffy seemed content to be where she was. Joyce watched as Buffy unconsciously snuggled deeper into her lover's embrace, and Angel in return, holding on tighter to her.

"Joyce?" Angel's eyes opened sleepily as he whispered softly. "Is everything all right?"

"Its just..."

"I'd offer to move her back upstairs if there wasn't a chance she'd wake up."

"No, let her sleep. I have a feeling she hasn't gotten much." She moved to cover them both with another blanket as Angel shifted under Buffy. "Thank you Angel."

"For what?"

"For loving her. I didn't want to admit it at first, but I can tell that you love her. More than life itself. She's young, but she has this destiny that I can barely understand, even after what I've seen in the past couple days. What kind of people force this kind of life on such a young girl?"

"I don't know Joyce, but Buffy is strong. Strongest I've seen, or known of."

"She still needs you in her life even though she might have these superpowers."

"I've just caused her pain."

"She loves you. I don't think it matters."

"It should."

"But it doesn't ." Joyce bent to smooth her daughter's hair away from her face, and then moved to do the same to Angel. She knew it was ridiculous, Angel was old enough to be her great grandfather times four, but she blamed it on her motherly instincts. "All I ask is that you keep on loving her."

Angel nodded and then rested his chin on Buffy's head as he closed his eyes. She had slept through their entire conversation. "Night Joyce."

"Good night Angel."

Part 10

June 11
Kent Brownstone
5:05 am

"Buffy." Angel's voice called out to her, rousing her from her dream. They'd been on a beach, standing in the surf, Angel standing behind her with his arms wrapped around her. "Come on Buffy, you'd better get up."

Slightly annoyed at whomever was daring to wake her from such a wonderful dream, she opened her eyes slowly, wanting to savor the memories of her dreams. But as her hazel eyes caught a pair of dark chocolate ones that were close to her own, all thoughts of the dream flew from her mind. "What time is it?" she asked groggily, giving a groan of protest as he shifted from underneath her cheek, moving to sit up, his back pressed against the armrest of the sofa, but a soft purr as he pulled her to nestle in beside him.

"Just after five. I didn't think you'd want everyone to wake up and find you down here with me."

Buffy's sleepy eyes turned a reproachful look at him. "You woke me because you were worried about what they would think if they found out I'd slept with you, as in sleeping, last night, when they all know we've had sex? Why are you up so early anyway?"

"I heard something upstairs."

"A whoosh-y sound? It was Clark. Something must have happened. You get used to it. Can we go back to sleep now?"

"If you want, but you should probably go back upstairs."

"What are you going to do?"

He gave a slight shrug. "Read maybe, or watch the sun come up. You can go back to sleep if you really want to."

"Uh uh. You're up, I'm up." She looked up at him, tears springing up behind her eyes as she looked at the face that she thought she'd never see again.

Angel looked down at her, his gaze relaxed, and she could almost feel his caress in his eyes. Relaxed from both sleep and happiness, Buffy closed her eyes as she nuzzled into his chest, his heart beating beneath her ear. She gave a slight gasp as one of his big hands came up, touching her cheek softly, but her eyes didn't open. Tension and anticipation began to throb through her bloodstream as she became aware of his lips drawing near to her. Then his lips were on hers, and the passion inflamed them as Buffy gave a soft sigh and Angel took the advantage by slipping his tongue into her mouth. The kiss was nothing like the one they'd shared the night before. It was full of the want and the passion of not truly touching for months.

They shifted on the couch, Buffy's arms going around his neck, pressing his head closer, as his arms gripped her waist, eventually moving her to straddle his lap. As their tongues dueled, tasting, touching, their hands wandered, getting reaquainted with each other's bodies. Finally, they broke the kiss, both needing the air, and they looked at each other, their eyes dark and clouded with passion, their breathing heavy.

"Oh god, Angel..."

"Shh..." he whispered, a hand caressing her cheek again, as his forehead leaned against hers. "I know. But I think we should talk; don't you?"

Buffy gave him a confused look, then reluctantly nodded, climbing off of him to stand up. "I hate it when you're right. All right. But lets get out of here, all right?"

"A walk?"

"I'll go get changed."

5:16 am

Buffy snuck into the bedroom that the girls were using, and went to the dresser, quietly discarding her sleep shorts and top for a pair of jeans and a tank top. Grabbing her sneakers, she was balancing, attempting to pull them on without untying them, when Willow woke up.

"Buffy? Whats going on? What time is it?"

"Shh. Its about quarter after 5. I'm going for a walk."

"Do you want me to go with you?" Willow made to get up.

"Angel is going with me. We're going to talk. Tell my mom and Giles for me?"

"Sure."

"Thanks. I"ve missed you."

Willow's returning smile was broken by a yawn. "Missed you too."

"We'll talk later all right?"

"All right."

Part 11

5:21 am
The steps of the Brownstone.

Buffy shivered, wrapping her arms around herself as she stepped into the damp morning air, glad she'd thought to grab her hoodie. The door closed behind her, and she turned her head slightly as Angel came to stand behind her, his arms finding a place on her upper arms, gently rubbing them for warmth. Giving a small smile, Buffy leaned back to the hard plain of his chest. They stood like that, at first content to just be together again, but after an extended moment, it began to get akward. Sighing, Buffy pulled away from him and turned. "Is it me, or is this weird?"

Angel cracked a small grin, grateful for her attempt to lighten the mood. "Buffy, I know you think that you have all the blame in this, but you don't. None of it was your fault. If the blame is going to fall to anyone, it should be me." He sighed, his gaze heavy with emotion. "I don't know how you can touch me after everything I've done to you."

Buffy's emotional response was both angry and full of sympathy. "Angel, I don't know what I'm going to have to do to convince you that it was neither your fault not you doing those things to me. It was Angelus! And he might have shared the same body as you, but it wasn't you!" Her voice levels rose as the words poured from her mouth, and she moved down the stairs, to pace on the sidewalk. "He was none of things that you are! He was an evil monster that enjoyed tormenting me! Do you realize what I went through, knowing that it wasn't you? Knowing that to end the pain of my friends and to safe the world, I was going to have to kill him? When I was still haunted of images of your eyes looking at me, your body holding me, protecting me. Your voice, reasurring me that I'm not as alone as I once thought? Hoping that if I waited long enough, you would find a way back to me?

"My heart broke the day you lost your soul Angel. But I managed to survive. I was actually doing better, but then you were back..." Buffy's voice broke. "A-and I had to kill you. My heart shattered forever in that moment Angel, and I knew without you, I wasn't going to survive a second time. I've been having these dreams, since I sent you to hell, where you blame me for everything. And I know you told me it wasn't my fault, but there's a part of me that still believes those dreams! That you hate me for what I put you through!"

By this time the tears were falling freely, and Angel descended the last step to stand in front of her on the sidewalk, reaching out to wipe away the tears with one hand, and drawing her to him with the another. Her arms wrapped around his waist as he gently smoothed her golden hair, waiting until her breathing was calmer and her tears had turned to sniffles. When they had, he pulled away only enough to tilt her face up to look at him. "I could never hate you, my love." Angel paused, as if considering his next words, which were insightful and showed the wisdom of his years. "I think that if we continue to just keep blaming ourselves, trying to take the blame for things we had no control over, we're never going to heal."

"So what now?" asked Buffy, raising a hand to hastily wipe at her cheeks in a gesture that made her seem almost like a child.

"Now," replied Angel, taking her hand and moving to sit on one of the steps, giving her hand a tug to postion her on the step below, between his legs, wrapping his arms around her midsection and resting her against his chest, "I want to learn what its like to be a full part of your life, not just your one at night. I want to go on dates with you, take you to picnics, to the beach. But right now, I want to watch the sun rise with you."

Part 12
5:45
Down the street from the Brownstone.

Clark Kent turned the corner onto his street, minutes after the sun had risen bright and pink into the grey morning sky, changing the inky sky into a myriad of purples and pinks, then finally a hint of blue as the sun rose more fully over the buildings in the city. He paused as he spotted two figures sitting on the door stoop, both seemingly caught up in watching the sky.

Unconsciously, he stopped, studying them. He'd studied the both of them enough by themselves; the simple fact that she was a vampire slayer and that he was an ex vampire fresh from hell, was enough to make anyone want to study them, but this was the first time he'd really had a chance to focus on them simply being together. They were quite a pair, their contrasting looks complimenting them. Buffy was slight and blonde, and he knew that she wasn't usually as dour as she'd been since he'd met her.. Angel was her exact opposite, tall, broad and dark, with a serious aura to him.

Shifting slightly, he realized that both of their attention had been drawn from the sky to where he was standing. Feeling a twinge of guilt, he continued down the street, stopping at the bottom of the steps leading to the front door.

"How'd you know I was standing back there?" He'd only been able to see them clearly because of his super sight, the corner was a decent enough length away for solitude.

The two exchanged almost laughing grins.

"Slayer," was Buffy's one word reply.

"Ex-vampire," added Angel.

"Ah. Why are you two up so early?"

"You woke Angel when you left this morning and since he wasn't planning on going back to sleep, neither was I. So we watched the sunrise. What was the emergency?"

Clark decided not to pursue the topic of why Buffy had been with Angel this morning, knowing that she had retreated to her room last night with her mom and her friends. "There was a train accident."

"Is everyone all right?"

"Mostly. There were some serious injuries, but I got there early enough that no one died. I decided to get donuts on the way home," he said, changing the subject as he lifted the 2 boxes he balanced in his hand.

"Jelly?" asked Buffy.

"A few, you want one now?"

"Eww no. But careful. Xander is liable to attack you when you enter that door, sleeping or not."

"I'll remember that," grinned Clark as he started up the stairs. "You guys coming in soon?"

"In a while," answered Angel, as he pressed a kiss to Buffy's head.

Clark paused at the top of the stairs, turning slightly as he called Buffy's name. "Is everything going to be all right?"

A small smile graced her lips, and she nodded at him. "Yea, I think it is. Thanks Clark."

Clark shrugged. "We super heroes have to look out for each other. I'm going to go make some coffee."

6:59 a.m.

The kitchen was rowdy with noise, most of the house having woken after Xander had nearly toppled Clark in a dive for the donuts. Lois, Joyce and Giles were seated at the benches surrounding the island, all three of them trying to ignore the ruckus around them as they sipped tea. The teenagers, plus Clark, and Angel for that matter, were clustered at the small table, the remaints of the breakfast apparent on the table.

Willow, who was sitting on Oz's lap, was holding an animated conversation with Cordelia, something about hitting the stores before leaving, as Xander and Oz entertained Clark with stories of the Hellmouth sort. Angel was sitting quietly on his side of the table, his large fingers cupping a mug, his gaze serious as he gazed out the window.

Buffy sighed and leaned into the doorway, tilting her head to rest on the door jamb as she studied him. He was back, and human, and he didn't blame her. As if he knew that she was there, he turned, his soulful chocolate eyes catching hers, instantly brightening. He awarded her a warm half smile, the one that she loved because he always looked so damn sexy, and she involuntary smiled back, moving across the room, slipping into his lap.

His arms tightened around her waist, and she looked slightly down at him. "I love you so much."

His voice was soft in reply as he pressed a kiss to her jawbone. "I love you too."

"We're going to be okay right? 'Cuz I love you so much...and I...I want this to be..."

"Forever, Buffy. That's the whole point. I'm never going to leave you."

Buffy felt the tension leave her body, and she smiled, one of the first unguarded, true smiles. Snuggling more into his lap, she turned to the girls, jumping into the conversation.

Everything was going to be all right.

Epilogue

September 10, 1998
Kent Brownstone
6:25 p.m.

"Lois?" Clark's voice called from upstairs, where the tell-tale whoosh of Superman had just entered through their bedroom window.

Sitting on the couch, dressed in jeans and a sweater, her legs tucked up under her, she looked up as her husband descended the stairs, making his way to her. "Are you all right? I saw the news..."

Clark nodded sadly, sitting down beside her. "A couple of kids were killed instantly in the explosion. We were able to rescue most of the tenants."

"You did your best," reassured Lois, knowing how hard it was for Clark. An apartment building on the outskirts of Metropolis had been victim to the results of a fire and unfortunately, a gas line had been struck, turning the scene into an inferno. She sat there with him, knowing he needed time, before breaking the silence. "We got a package from Buffy today."

Clark perked up somewhat. "Really? What did she have to say?"

Lois shrugged, reaching for the mini tape recorder that was sitting on the coffee table. "I don't know. There was a tape and a note that just said 'Play me'. I was about to listen to it, when I heard you come home."

Clark grinned and pulled Lois to him. "Well then, what are you waiting for? Let's hear it."

Lois nodded, and put the volume to full, pushing play before setting it on the couch beside her.

"Lois, Clark. Hey! I figured I'd try this instead of a boring letter...can't say the idea was mine, let's just say I watch too much tv," Buffy's voice came over the speakers, a happy, upbeat sound. "I just wanted to let you two know what was going on here in good ole Sunnyhell since we left. Can I ever really thank you for what you two did for me? What you put up with while I was in that depressing place?

"Shoot, I told myself I wouldn't talk about that stuff...I'm really trying to move past the I-sent-my-love-to-hell thing. It helps that he's back, and that everything, for once, seems to be going really well...and I just jinxed it didn't I?" There was an audible groan, and Clark chuckled slightly. "Anyway...as for what has happened since we left you two...well we came back, and I'm back at home with Mom, who's scaring me with how well she's taking this my-daughter-slays- vampires-in-her-spare-time deal. It might have something to do with the fact that I think she and Giles have a thing going...its not a sure thing, but me and Wills have our suspicions.

"Where was I? Oh yeah...well everyone is still pretty much the same, although Oz's hair is purple at the moment, but we're Bronzing it tonight, so it could be different by now for all I know. School started about two weeks ago. Its going okay, although I sorta wish that Giles hadn't threatened Snyder into letting me back in. Will's getting pretty good at those spells of hers, I caught her floating a pencil in the middle of study hall last week. Xander and Cordy are the same...and Faith...well you haven't met her. She's the newest slayer to come to town. She seems a little too into the whole 'Chosen One, kill them all mentality", but I'm hoping that she'll calm down, she seems nice enough.

"And yeah, Angel is still with me...I think I'd end up either staking him, or dying if he left, but its going pretty well. He trains with me and Faith, and helps us slay, which kinda helps leviate the pressure that rests on our shoulders, ya know? He's a whole different person now that, well, he has a pulse, not in a bad way or anything, he just seems, I dunno, lighter, more carefree. He's even gotten a job, helping my mom run her gallery. I have no idea where he stores all that art info in that cute head of his, but he's really good at it. My mom loves him, I think its those eighteenth century manners of his. Though its slightly scary considering that she actually lets me stay at his apartment, I mean, she fully knows what were doing, but she doesn't seem to care TOO much. She had that lovely mother - daughter talk with me...eeks, I'm really sure you want to be hearing about that...sorry.

"And lately we've been talking about the future. I mean, we're totally getting married, but we're just not sure when. We want to as soon as possible, and I think its going to be next summer, before I start college, that is if I get in any. We've already started looking at houses and stuff...cuz no matter what we're moving in together after my birthday in January, so we figure, we should probably get a house or something...did I mention that he's loaded? Not that it matters to me...I mean, I'd love him if he was dirt poor, jeez...I've loved him as a vampire...but good lord, he's wealthy...it has to do with all those years as a vamp...portfolio up the wazoo."

There was a loud pause on the tape, filled with background noise that Clark was able to pick up. There was a doorbell ringing...then a bunch of familiar voices filling the air...calling up to Buffy.

"Ooops, the guys are here...boy am I glad that I got ready before doing this, they'd kill me if we were late...some big band from L.A. is playing at the Bronze...so it's going to be crowded tonight. Hope I didn't bore you too much...You guys will come when we set the date right? I mean...you won't even need the airfare!"

"Buffster! Come on!" Xander's voice was somewhat muted.

"I'm coming Xan!" Buffy yelled, then her voice softened. "All right...I'm going to go...love you both. And Clark, if you ever need anything...you know the number...hell...you know my address...us superheroes have to look out for each other. I'll write...or talk...to you guys later."

The tape fell dead, and Lois switched it off. "She sounds happy."

"A change from how she was when she was here..wouldn't you say?"

"Definitely. She and Angel sound like they're really happy. We're going to go right?"

"Of course. You heard what she said about superheroes. We need to stick together."

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