I'll Stand By You: Part Nine
by K.M. Morton
Buffy sat on the bench outside the nightclub and stared at the lake as she did every dawn when her shift was over. Soft, gentle lyrics floated from the club out into the vast darkness.

Oh… why you look so sad?
tears are in your eyes
come on and come to me now

As she stared into the quiet world, her thoughts as usual turned to Angel. How she missed him. He was the only one who had ever understood her and she had sent him to Hell.

Don't be ashamed to cry
let me see you through
cause I've seen the dark side too

The Slayer sat there alone, swept by grief, her soul filled with sadness and desperation. It had been weeks since she had encountered Whistler and her loneliness was close to unbearable now.

When the night falls on you
you don't know what to do
nothing you confess
could make me love you less
I'll stand by you

As the first rays of morning light danced off the swaying water, Buffy heard footsteps and turned to face the sound.

"Buffy." A familiar voice said.

"Angel!" Buffy exclaimed as she ran to meet him. They held each other tightly as if letting go would cause the other to disappear. As the two lovers moved to sit on the bench, Buffy saw the old woman in the treeline. It was difficult to see her in the weak light but she was smiling at them. Buffy smiled back at her , a huge grin and said thank you with her mind. The Slayer wasn't sure how but she knew that her silent message was received by the strange woman.

Buffy looked Angel in the eyes and asked coyly "So you're my soulmate, huh?"

Angel just smiled at her and replied "Did you have any doubts?"

"No." Buffy said firmly as she hugged him close, she really had had no doubt.

Well, I'm alive like you
when you're standing at the crossroads
don't know which path to choose
let me come along
cause even if you're wrong…

Buffy leaned her head on Angel's chest and while listening to the rhythmic sound of his heartbeat, they watched the sun spread the life of a new beginning over the lake.

I'll stand by you
won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

The End


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