Xander and Cordelia walked out of the Bronze, arm and arm, Xander whipersing something in Cordelia's ear. They stopped and turned towards the entrance of the Bronze, just as Oz and Willow bounded out the door, Willow in the lead. Oz came out behind her fast, and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her close to him. Willow squealed in delight. Cordelia laughed at them.
" All right you two crazy kids," Xander shouted to them. " find a room!"
Oz let go of Willow and grabbed her hand. They walked over to Cordelia and Xander.
" Like you don't have the same problem, Xander." Oz shot back.
They started to walk down the dark ally that led to Main Street, Sunnydale.
Willow took a deep breath. " I love it when we spend time together, guys." Oz smiled at her and squeezed her hand. " Except..."
" Except Buffy isn't here." Xander finshed for her, slowly.
They all walked silent for a bit, and then Cordelia voiced the question that was on all of their minds. " What do you think she's doing right now?"
" Maybe she's taking a vacation down in the Bahamas or some place. " Willow said hopefully.
" Or maybe she found a job and is supporting herself." Oz added.
" Or maybe she's fighting big, scary vampires like the one that just stepped infront of us." Xander said, stepping infront of Cordelia to protect her.
They all shrank back as the vampire stepped into full view. It was a woman, in full game face. She wore a long black, sleeveless dress, with a strange overcoat that looked like it had many layers. She had long black hair that went down to her waist, held half up by a small, black clip.
She walked around them, sizing up how weak they were. She stopped infront of Xander, assuming that he, being the stronger male of the group, was their leader.
" So you're Buffy's little gang." She laughed at them. " You really are a bunch of weaklings, aren't you?"
They all looked at eachother, except Xander. He kept his eyes on the vampire and asked " What do you want?"
" Oh don't worry." the vampire said, sensing their distress. " I'm not going to harm you....yet. I'm waiting for the return of the slayer."
" We don't even know where she is, or if she's coming back." Willow offered.
" She'll be back. Soon. And I will be here, waiting for her. I must go." She tunred and walked into the blackness of the ally.
They stood there, motionless. " Cordelia broke them out of their thoughts." We've got to get to Giles." They all nodded and started walking quickly in the direction of Giles' house.
* * *
Buffy sat on the blanket, looking up at the stars. Shen turned to face him.
" It's time, isn't it?"
He sat staring up at the moon. " Yes." He turned to look at her. " It's time."
She looked back up at the sky. She gently shook he head. " I'm not ready."
His face softened. " You'll never be ready."
Buffy looked down at their hands. She gently took his, holding it, her fingers gliding over the smooth silver of his claddage ring. She stared hard at it, he brows furrowing. She closed her eyes, hearing his voice in her head. ** " The hands represent friendhsip, the crown represents loyalty, and the heart...well, you know."** She shook he head, willing the tears to stop coming.
" I don't know how to do this without you."
He squeezed her hand, pulling her closer to him. " You'll learn."
She layed her head on his chest. " It's time for me to go." She stood up, bringing him up with her. He nodded.
" Listen to Jonathan. He'll help you."
Buffy took both of his hands in hers and looked up into his face. He leaned down next to her ear.
" I love you."
Buffy opened her eyes sharply. She could feel the soft vibrating of her seat. She she straitened up, bringing her ahnds up to her face. Jonathan leaned over to her.
" Are you okay?" he asked, concern filling hhis eyes.
She nodded, and let her hands flop down to her lap. She turned to face him.
" I," she paused, questioning herself about telling him. " I've been having dreams about him."
Jonathan didn't seem surprised. " He relaxed back into his seat. " Really?"
" Yes. But not normal dreams. Not dreams of what has been. These are more like..." she grasped for the right words to describe them. " Like, I go away, to where ever he is, and we talk. He comforts me, and then I come back and wake up."
Jonathan nodded, understanding.
" He said something about you."
Jonathan's eyes brows raised at that. " He did?"
" Yeah. He said to listen to you, that you would help me."
He laughed. " Well I guess you can trust me now. Even Angel says I'm a good guy."
She smiled at him and playfully punshed him in the arm. The she truned serious again. " So it really is Angel...talking to me."
" Yep." He said, matter-of-factly.
" But how can that be? When I sent him to hell...his soul had been returned to him."
" I don't know exactly how it works, but I can try to explain it for you. You know that Angel is still alive, right Buffy?"
She nodded.
" Well, I think that part of it is because the bond that youshared was so strong. Thats probably the reason why the dreams are so vivid. In your dreams, can you feel him...I mean, can you touch him?"
" Yes."
" Thats what I thought. Antoher reason why he could be communicating with you is to keep his sanity."
Buffy gave him a questioning look.
" Well, you know down there he is going through endless torment. The only way he is able to keep any semblance of self, is to talk with you. You sustain him, Buffy. You did when he was good. You did when he was Angelus. You do now." He paused thinking deeper about it. " You probably always will."
She sat back in her seat, frowning." Does that mean I'll be having these dreams for the rest of my life?"
He looked at he blankly. Then it hit him. In a way, these dreams we tormenting her. She loved Angel, but having these dreams only further reminded her of her quilt. And about what she had once had with him. Having these dreams forever would mean never moving on, never getting over it. And that wasn't a pleasant thought. " Oh, no, Buffy! Eventually he'll be released from hell and the dreams will stop."
Buffy felt relieved at that. But a thousand more questions came to her mind. What would happen when he came back? Would they ever be able to get back what the had? What if he didn't get out until she was old and had lived her life? She didn't feel that Jonathan would have any of the answers to these questions, so she just sat, looking out the plane's window.
" The pilot's voice came over the intercom. " Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be reaching Sunnydale Airport in about fifteen minutes, so please be preparing to land."
Buffy looked over at Jonathan. He raised his eyebrows a couple of times, smiling.
" You nervus?"
She sighed and then shrugged.
" Well, everyday is a new beginning." He smiled.
Buffy laughed at the old cliche. " Yeah, if I survive you 'til tomrrow!"
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