Things Change And Stay The Same.: Prologue
by inlovewithangel
Buffy and Angel walked happily hand in hand down the streets of LA. It was about a year after he turned human. Many things had changed, when he received his shanshu, but many things stayed the same. The love between him and a certain blonde slayer reemerged, or maybe it had never really gone. He was still the CEO of Wolfram and Hart, which was complicated and a web that was difficult to untangle, but Angel and the rest of the team were dealing, as they had all done most of their lives.

Buffy was attending UCLA part time, mostly to learn. She was going to major in literature, but didn’t really plan to do anything with that degree. Buffy had worked her ass off every day for seven years, and the last two had been a time of rest and relaxation, which Buffy felt could go on forever.

Everyone was doing well. After Illyria was conquered and Fred’s soul restored, she had returned to herself as normal, and everyone thanked God that they had her back. There was momentary drama in Fred’s life, because after returning to her body she had told Wesley that she felt she belonged with Gunn, and had gone back to him, apologizing. She told him that she had been looking for something that she now realized she had all along. He had accepted her with open arms, and now they couldn’t stand to be apart. That had caused heartache for the ex-Watcher for a long time, but lately his old self was reemerging, and things were looking up for him.

On the other side of the ocean, Dawn was attending Oxford. Although Buffy missed her deeply, she took comfort in the fact that Dawn was safely under Willow and Kennedy’s watchful eyes. Giles was also in England, running the council and Slayer school. Willow headed up the magic department, and Kennedy and Faith trained the slayers.

Xander was bouncing from place to place, a month or two in LA, a few weeks in England, he visited Oz in Tibet. His existence was vague. Sometimes it caused Buffy to worry, but he seemed as happy as ever. Almost as happy as before Anya’s death.

Spike was human along with Angel, and was pissed that Buffy had chosen Angel over him. He seemed to be slowly getting over her though, and Buffy was glad to see him looking as pleased with himself as he was when he still thought he was the Big Bad. He was at Wolfram and Hart, annoying Angel, trying to seduce Buffy, and generally getting a kick out of life.

Buffy smiled as she glanced up at Angel. She had never wanted to get her friends and family into this life filled with death and pain, but she had. But, not only had she pulled them into that life, she had pulled them out of it. It was over now. The most wonderful part about it, though, was that she was all of a sudden she was so thankful that she did bring in her loved ones, because otherwise, Buffy didn’t think she could have gotten through everything without them. That’s where all the other slayers fucked up, Buffy thought. She sincerely believed that the reason the others girls died so young was the lack of a support group to fall back on. Because, super strength or not, when you start this gig, you’re a kid. Kids aren’t supposed to do anything alone. It’s just not safe.

Angel, always one to keep his expression stony and blank, had lately been finding himself unable to wipe off this silly grin. The woman he loved stood by his side. In the sunlight. Death didn’t hang over their heads like an ominous storm cloud. They were both free to live.

Buffy stopped suddenly and looked up to the sky, her eyes closed.

“What are you doing?” Angel asked, smiling.

“Tanning,” Buffy replied, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“In the middle of the street? We can go to the pool if you want.” Angel looked at her beautiful face. At twenty five, the slayer was still a child in most people’s eyes, and yet her features held signs of age and wisdom. They held an understanding that some people live to one hundred and never achieve. Angel knew that she wasn’t done growing, not yet, because even though Buffy had lived through lifetimes of grief and pain, and lately joy, at twenty five, you’re just not done.

Buffy opened one eye reluctantly, and then the other. “I guess you’re right,” she said. She started walking again. “So, sweetie, next week you said we could take the jet to go visit Dawnie and Will, right? Because—” Buffy fell silent mid sentence and stopped moving.

It was so sudden that Angel kept on walking for a few moments. “What’s wrong, love?” he asked. He turned, and rushed to Buffy’s side once he saw her expression. “Buffy? What is it?”

Tears began to form suddenly in Buffy’s eyes.

“What is wrong, Buffy? Tell me.” Authority and fear colored Angel’s voice. He shook
Buffy, but she made no move to signify that she’d felt it.

A shaking hand lifted to her mouth, shocked.

Angel finally realized the Slayer was looking at something. He turned and followed her gaze to a confused looking woman. She was pretty, with light brown hair, and knowing eyes. She was looking around, as if searching for something, anything, that looked familiar to her.

Angel turned back to Buffy, frowning. “Do you know her?” he asked.

“Oh God,” Buffy whispered, a silent tear rolling down her cheek. “Oh God, Tara. Oh, Angel. It’s Tara.”


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