Disclaimer: Characters belong to Joss Whedon, Twentieth Century Fox, etc.
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Part Three
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Giles, Xander, and Buffy stood at the gates to the University of Granada. It was mid-morning, and now that they'd reached the place where the message had been sent from, they were trying to figure out their next step. After scanning the area, Giles led them to a large sign, mounted on which was a large map of campus. Noticing one of the buildings, Buffy got a look of understanding in her eyes.
"The library..." The place that had always been their meeting spot in Sunnydale was surely the place to meet now.
They knew that Angel, at least, could not be out during the daylight, and so they were unlikely to find the two they were seeking until sunset. Instead, they wandered about the campus of the university, looking for other clues and trying to pass the time. It was on one of the bulletin boards in the main building that Xander spotted something startling, that assured them they were on the right track.
Posted within the list of various activities and meetings was a small and unobtrusive note, that might have gone unnoticed had the group not had enough time and curiousity to study everything. It read:
The Sunnydale Slayerettes, meeting TONIGHT in the library. By invitation only.
All of them breathed a sigh of relief, and went back out into the city, where they reserved themselves a hotel room, tried to get some sleep, and had a quick dinner as they nervously awaited sunset. Once darkness fell, they returned to the campus and made their way to the building that was the library.
Buffy, in the lead, reached a hand out to the doorknob, twisting it around, then shaking it violently. It was locked. Buffy cursed under her breath, as she turned back to Xander and Giles. Neither of them was watching her, however; their gaze was focused on the two shadowed figures moving towards them. Though she could not see the faces, Buffy recognized them instantly by their silhouettes, by their movements, by all the little things that were so familiar...
As they stepped silently into the halo cast by the yellowish porch light over the steps of the library, Buffy, Xander, and Giles stood face to face with those they had not seen in months which seemed like ages: Willow and Angel.
Willow, especially, looked different. She seemed older, somehow, and tired; her eyes were rimmed in shadows, and her gaze was deep and strange to them. Angel, beside her, looked mostly familiar, though the last months had taken their toll on him too.
Angel spoke first. "Come, we know a place where we can talk..."
He led them to a place on a hill, covered in shadows, where the only light was the half-full moon, yet it seemed bright enough. A few stone benches were there, and impulsively they took their seats, Angel and Buffy on one, then Willow and then Xander on a second, Giles sitting at the end.
Willow's eyes were infinitely serious as she began, "I'm glad you came." She paused for a moment, and Xander took her hand and squeezed it. She smiled at him, a sad little smile, and went on. "Well, we found the Rom. We worked with them, and we came up with a bargain."
"It's not the best of deals," Angel picked it up. "As you might have guessed, we don't all live happily ever after." He looked over at Willow, and she nodded slightly.
"This is what says the Rom," he continued. "They will give Willow back her life. In fact, they've done it already. She's free of the bloodlusts, of the desires of vampires, and her soul is pure."
"For a price," Willow said. "And the price is Angel. Seven nights from now, he dies." She stopped, and the pause was full of meaning. "And so do I."
"My life isn't worth much," Angel said solemly. "I'm cursed for the rest of my days, and Willow understands it. Without this bargain, she would be cursed too. Or worse than cursed. Over time, she'd truly become a vampire, she'd lose her soul. This way, she's got a chance. And then both of our lives would be better, over."
The other three had been sitting silently, listening, but now Buffy stood. "No!" she said in a voice full of pain. "No! You belong here, both of you!"
"Would you have us suffer, Buffy?" Willow asked gently. "We're both meant to suffer cruelly for all time. Is that what you want?"
"No! But you have to stay. For me..." Buffy's cheeks were wet with silent tears, and Willow stepped up to her and brushed them away gently.
"We can't stay, Buffy," Angel said, squeezing both her shoulders in his strong hands. "But this way...we've got another chance. I know it hurts, but it's for the best. I promise."
In her sensitive anticipating way, Willow had moved back beside Xander. "You missed me, didn't you," she said quietly, letting Buffy and Angel talk. Looking deep into his gaze, she saw his pain as well. "Oh, Xander," she said. "I wish I hadn't hurt you so. I'm sorry." In response, he pulled her to him in a crushing embrace, holding her tightly.
"I lost you once. I don't know if I can take it again..." he whispered, and she pulled back to see his face.
"We'll make our time together count," she said, and he nodded solemnly, his eyes bright and full.
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