Love Immortal: Part 1
by JennyD
all characters except Dana Scully belong to Joss Whedon and WB Netowrk. Dana Scully is the property of the guys behind the sci-fi hit the X-Files. pls. don't sue. If you want to react to the story, pls. e-mail me at moriah_100@yahoo.com.

Part One

Even now , the miracle of being able to stand in the sunlight continued to amaze him. A miracle considering that six years ago, even the slightest contact with the sun's rays would've meant certain death.

Now gazing at the open sky as he and the rest of the Scooby Gang drove thorugh the streets of the Big Apple , Angel remembered the miracle that had given him this second chance at a normal life. Well almost normal, considering that his dark half, his vampire persona still came to life at night. This time though, the demon within no longer threatened his humanity.

She had saved him. Ironically, Buffy Summers had done the imposible. She had let him take her life force, a part of her very soul, to make him human. But she never had the chance to see him enjoy his rebirth.

Right after the ritual, on his first morning on earth, Buffy had quietly slipped out of Sunnydale without so much as a goodbye. He had not wanted to return to Los Angeles. Her departure had worried him and the rest of the gang. Buffy had done a good job of staying out of sight. In the past six years, all they had to go by was a short note for Giles that gave them an idea for the sudden disappearance.

" That battle with the mayor. That was the turning point." Giles had said thoughtfully, turning to the group that summer day of her departure. " It scared her, I think. She's afraid. She believes her presence endangers us all leaves us open targets for her enemies." Angel refused to accept his reasoning " And as for you " Giles turned to the vampire-man his student had loved."She knows you now have a chance to live again truly live." Giles sighed" She doesn't want to take any risks. She's making sure you don't lose your soul to the undead once more. It's actually quite logical. Vampire slayers are like magnets to the lost ones. Its inevitable that she cross paths with them regularly during her lifetime."

"But she can't do this alone!" Xander shook his head in frustration, silently cursing himself for not seeing the signs of change in Buffy earlier on.

"I agree. But right now, our opinions don't matter much in this case " Giles concluded.

And so, the group had gone on their separate ways. But the years did not cut the bond of friendship among them, as each one kept in touch with the rest.

The years have shown each one the path they were to take. Xander had gone into the music industry right after college, and had done pretty well for himself in L.A. Willow had put her computer savvy to good use, with Caltech hiring her as a systems troubleshooter for the firm. Giles had changed the least, preferring to keep a low profile as librarian and lecturer at Sunnydale College.

Angel returned to LA to help his friend Whistler. But even there her memories continud to haunt him. The pain of losing her had nearly driven him to madness. Fortunately for Angel, help came in the most unlikely person. Xander, whom he had once considered a rival for Buffy's affections, had been a true friend, visiting him and taking him out to see Willow and the others.

Now they were all here, brought together by a simple invitation from Willow. It had taken a while, but finally, the shy computer expert was settling down with long-time fiancee Oz. And as fate would've had it, just a few weeks earlier, Willow had traced Buffy's whereabouts.

"She's been in New York all along. I called her up and told her about the wedding" Willow had gone into detail about her meeting with Buffy when she picked them up at the airport.

"A fed! I should've known she'd put those slayer skills to productive use" Xander joked. Angel was listening to Willow's story with interest.

"Seems Buffy entered the FBI training program a few months after graduation. She's formally been with the department for more than two years now".

Now the four of them were on route 55, a few minutes away from a street caf‚ rendezvous with Oz and Buffy. Willow noted Angel's silence during the trip. She knew he was nervous. In her heart, Willow prayed things would go well between him and her best friend "It'll be OK" she looked at him in understanding then frowned. "I'm supposed to be the one having the butterflies in the stomach experience" she realized..

"Thanks, Will" Angel replied gratefully. " I just don't know what to expect "

"Don't tell me you're getting cold feet a few days before the big event?" Xander teased the dark haired -girl.

"Day-before jitters are normal" Giles remarked. " I'm sure you'll be in good hands with Oz".

"Perfect parking Mr. Harris " Willow said as the car approached the caf‚ entrance. "Well, where is she?" Xander asked impatiently as the group gathered around the nearest table to take their seats. "She should be her any mo Oh there she is, right on time!" Willow waved to a motorcycle rider heading their way.


Angel held his breath in anticipation. The rider was wearing a helmet with a visor that kept her face hidden from view. As Buffy Summers parked her street bike alongside the group's table, everyone suddenly became silent.

The slayer mounted off her bike and walked to the group, removing her helmet in the process. Angel drank in the view. She had changed, If anything she had become even more beautiful than he remembered. No longer a young girl, she now stood before him an attractive young woman, her trim figure covered in a white blouse and jeans,,her long hair bundled in a neat ponytail, a short jacket, her only protection from the elements.

"Hey, the gang's all "Buffy smiled widely as the group approached her for a hug. She stopped in mid-sentence as she caught sight of Angel. Each moved toward the other, uncertain of how to act.

"You're looking good.." Angel came forward.

"Angel I ..uh "she was at a loss for words. She wasn't ready for this. She wasn't ready for him. "I finally get to see it..but I still can't believe it. You're here in the sunlight " she stammered then quickly regained her composure.

"I never got to thank you you made it happen.." Angel answered as he pulled her into a possessive embrace.

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