Sheesh, I’m only a little late! Buffy thought as she entered the library and glanced at the solemn faces of her Watcher, her Mother, Faith, and the Gang.
“Ok” Buffy said as she sat in a chair next to Willow “What’s up, some new prophecy of doom?”
“We know that Angel is back in Sunnydale.” Giles said flatly, unable to meet his Slayer’s gaze. Buffy felt all the color wash out of her and the feeling of faintness would have brought her down if she hadn’t already been seated. Before she could utter a single word Giles continued. “It has been decided that he should be destroyed.” Temporarily stunned by his intent, Buffy stared in shock at her closest confidants. Giles still dodged her gaze, Joyce looked at her with an expression of disappointment, Willow stared directly at the floor, Oz was watching Willow, Cordelia stared in disgust and Xander glared at her in such outright hatred that it made Buffy shudder. Giles’ words finally hit home.
“But.” Buffy said trying hard to remain calm. “He has his soul.” “He was a little confused at first but he’s better now. He’s going to be leaving soon.” Giles looked her directly in the eye and said calmly as if trying to keep her mellow.
“I know that you still care for him Buffy but Angel is a threat to you and all of humanity, I’m sorry, but destroying him is the only solution.” The Watcher’s soothing tone was lost as the petite blonde was immediately on the defensive and in full slayer fury. Like a lioness protecting her cubs, Buffy rose from the chair to face off against everyone she cared about in order to save the one she couldn’t live without.
“Destroy Him!” She screamed in complete rage. “He saved your lives several times and this is the thanks he gets?” “Yes, “ she raged “He tortured us all when he lost his soul which was MY fault!” “He suffered unspeakable torment in Hell for 200 years just because he loved me and now YOU want to KILL him!” I DON’T THINK SO!”
Buffy in her frenzy failed to notice Xander picking up the tranquilizer rifle as her focus remained on Giles and Faith. She heard the telltale pop of the CO2 cartridge just milliseconds before the dart lodged in her shoulder. Knowing immediately what was going on, Buffy spun on her heels and ran out of the library at full speed.
“Grab her!” Xander yelled as Buffy sped away.
“Damn.” Giles said. “She’s going to warn him.” “We’d better hurry.”
Buffy raced full speed towards the mansion, the words ran over and over in her head like a mantra. She could feel the tranquilizer battling head on with her adrenaline. The drug was winning. She knew she had to get there soon.
Giles and Joyce ran to her Cherokee as the teens all piled in Oz’s van. They drove towards the mansion, hoping to intercept the furious, drugged Slayer.
Buffy felt herself losing the battle just as she rounded the corner of the mansion’s garden. She saw Angel near the fireplace and gave the last of her strength to slide through the french doors. Angel, who was completely shocked ran over and swept her off the floor and onto the nearby sofa. “Buffy, Buffy are you ok?” He asked, his voice oozing deep concern.
“Run Angel run.” Buffy said rapidly as she fought unconsciousness. “They know, they’re coming to kill you run plea…” Her voice drifted off as the drug took control.
Angel, still confused by her urgent warning and her injury, laid her down on the sofa. As he settled her in, he noticed the orange dart imbedded between her shoulder and the back of her neck. As anger began to consume his mind, he carefully removed the dart and made sure that Buffy was comfortable.
The two vehicles of people reached the mansion and hurried inside. They were all armed, Faith with a stake, Giles a cross, Xander the rifle and the others with holy water. As the group reached the doorway, they saw angel leaning over a person on the couch. Joyce stepped on a twig and Angel swung around to face them. He was in true vampire visage and was a terrifying sight. When he turned it was noticeable that the prone figure was Buffy who was either unconscious or dead.
The vampire stood still for a moment as he surveyed the people in front of him. People he had once called friends. His reverie was terminated when he noticed the rifle in Xander hand. Turning back to grab the dart off the coffee table Angel growled in anger and yelled with a dangerous, hate-filled tone that made everyone’s neck hairs stand on end. “YOU! You did this to her!” He advanced slowly, growling and glaring at Xander. Giles stepped forward slightly and held up the large cross. Angel halted and glared at her friends. “Are you trying to kill her?” He growled menacingly “You have a new Slayer now so you don’t want her anymore?” He glared at Faith, his survival instincts telling him that she was a Slayer.
“No.” Xander said, trying to cover up the fear in his voice. “It’s a tranq.” “We didn’t mean her any harm.”
“Oh no?” Angel said sarcastically, staring again at Xander with the blazing yellow eyes of the demon. “You shot her full of tranquilizers and let her run around town!” “Anything could have killed her in this state, Are you stupid?”
Giles stepped in again. “Yes, it, it was poor judgement on our part, we had only planned on restraining her but you, you know Buffy and restraints.”
Angel calmed slightly at the revelation that they had actually had her best interest in heart. A small smile crept over his face as his demon features went away. “Yeah,” He said with pride “She’s a headstrong one.” The vampire then moved aside so that they could see that Buffy was safe and resting comfortably in chemical tranquility.
As Angel moved aside, the Gang noticed that Buffy was sleeping soundly. She was tucked in on a sofa near the fireplace, her hair was fanned out around her head. It was obvious to all that the degree of comfort she was given and the amount of protection he was giving was a result of that never ending bond of love that tied the two of them together.
“I know why you’ve come.” Angel said calmly as he stared at Buffy’s sleeping form. “She came here to warn me.”
“Then why didn’t you run?” Willow asked although she already knew the answer.
“She was barely conscious and failing fast.” Angel answered slowly. “If I would have left, anyone or anything could have come in here and harmed her.” He looked up from Buffy to Giles and stared at him fully. “I’m very sorry for what happened. I didn’t know that I could lose my soul. You are her Watcher, if you believe that I will endanger Buffy or anyone else, then I will accept your punishment.”
For a momemt, no-one said a word, they all stared silently at Angel, wondering if the vampire really knew what his punishment was. Willow broke her gaze first, and stared at the ground, fighting back tears.
“There are three things that I ask of you first.” Angel continued calmly.
“You’re in no position to be asking for anything!” Xander challenged.
“Enough!” Willow yelled at her friend, her eyes wild with emotion. “Hear him out!”
“Thank you Willow.” Angel said “As a matter of fact, the first favor directly involves you.” Willow, her eyes full of confusion raised her gaze to meet his. “You are Buffy’s best friend.” He said with pride. “She confides in you. She leans on you for support.” Willow shook her head in a small no gesture. “Yes.” Angel assured her. “I remember when my soul was repossessed you were there for her, you gave her support and loyalty. Don’t hate her for not telling anyone that I was back. She’s only seventeen with the weight of the world on her shoulders. She must not be expected to always make the correct decision.” The sad vampire looked at Buffy. The amount of pride and love in his eyes was unfathomable. “Be there for her please, I don’t think she has a lot of time left.” This shocked everyone and they all stared at Angel.
“What do you mean?” Willow asked as her voice caught with small sobs.
“When I was in Hell, about half of my nightmares were of the things that I did when I lost my soul. The other half were of Buffy dying. I was always unable to save her and I had to watch her die.” A small tear trailed down his cheek as he continued, now staring at Buffy. “In the two weeks that I’ve been back, I still have nightmares of Buffy’s death, only this time they’re always the same. Buffy’s fighting in the graveyard and is losing, she calls out to me for help but for some reason I can’t find her. When I finally do, it’s too late, she’s dead. Then I wake up. I’ve had this nightmare continuously.” He said while he wipes away more tears.
“Angel.” Giles asked “Do you know what killed her?”
“A vampire.” Angel answered. “She had been drained.” “My second request,” He continued without dropping the Watcher’s gaze, “is of you. I know that other than Buffy you have suffered the most from my actions. I want you to be the one to end this. If you don’t trust me then the Slayer can restrain me.” Angel continued slowly. “This way, perhaps you may have closure.” Giles nodded weakly. Angel looked at Buffy’s support team and took a deep breath. “The last request is for all of you. I want you to lie to Buffy.” He looked around at the surprised faces. “I want you to tell her that I took my own life. I don’t want her to hold any animosity to any of you for this. She needs your support.” He stared at everyone until he received a nod from each one.
The emotions were running high. Buffy’s team had expected to have a bitter, bloody battle with Angel but instead he offered the end of his existence and his only worries were for Buffy.
Angel, satisfied that all three of his requests were met walked quietly over to Buffy and knelt beside her. He tenderly brushed a lock of golden hair out of her face. He stared at her peaceful form and inhaled deeply, breathing in her scent. He grabbed onto that scent with all of his senses, his sunshine, so beautiful and strong and loyal, she was too him all that was good, his eternal soulmate. Quietly he whispered to her “I love you Buffy.” Gently he kissed her on the forehead “Be safe.”
Angel stood up and looked one last time at the love of his life. His soul screamed at him not to leave her but his mind knew that he would never hurt her again this way. “We have to hurry.” Angel said to the group. “The drugs may not last long on her and I don’t want her to see.” The sad vampire led the group to a different room, in preparation for the end of his existence.
As the humans followed the condemned immortal they were lost in thought. Faith was surprised at the depth of emotion the demon displayed. She knew that his soul had been restored but was truly in awe at the loyalty be bestowed upon Buffy. Joyce was worried about Buffy. She was afraid that her little girl would run away again. Xander was content that Giles hadn’t fallen for Dead-Boy’s poor me façade. This time, Angel was going to Hell for good. Giles worried. He worried about Buffy’s reaction to Angel’s death and he worried about her own death as he thought about her lover’s recurrent nightmares. Oz and Cordy looked on as Willow sobbed quietly and followed slowly behind.
Angel led his former friends to a room in the large stone mansion. Everyone was shocked as they noticed the outline of a person burned into the stone floor. The vampire looked at it sadly, knowing that he wasn’t coming back this time. Angel stepped into the charred silhouette and slowly unbuttoned his shirt. He tossed the shirt to the side as Faith walked behind him cautiously. He kneeled in the outline and put his hands befind his back for the new Slayer to restrain him. Faith grasped his wrists and prepared for him to attack. Giles walked slowly forward, his head whirling with thoughts. He met Angel’s gaze and nodded. Angel closed his eyes and thought of Buffy, the night she knocked him down in the ally, the night after she destroyed the Master’s remains, her saving him from Spike and Dru, the night their relationship reached intimacy.
Giles stood in front of Angel, his stake raised, not really sure if this truly was the best solution. A moment later, he heard Angel sigh and watched in surprise as his Slayer’s soulmate turned to dust.
“Sorry Giles.” Faith said “The suspense was killing me.” She brushed Angel’s ashes off her and handed Giles her stake. “Now I see why B was so hung up on that guy, what a body!”
The watcher stared at the scattered ashes inside the charred outline. “Rest in peace, Angel, we’ll do our best to look after Buffy.” A single tear traced down his cheek as he left to check on his Slayer.
Buffy was still sleeping but seemed to be having frantic nightmares. As Xander hoisted her small limp body over his shoulder, Buffy cried out in her nightmare “Run Angel run please I can’t bear to lose you again, please, plea..” She then drifted back into fitful, silent slumber. Her friends left in silence.
Part Two
Buffy awoke slowly. The morning light streamed through her bedroom window. She instinctively knew that she was not alone. The Slayer glanced rapidly around her room in panic, only to find Willow sleeping in a chair in the corner. Buffy’s heart was still pounding as she remembered the events of the previous night. A feeling of dread crept over her. It was a feeling of desolation, of complete and total aloneness. Her slight movements caused Willow to wake.
“Buffy.” Willow asked nervously. “How are you feeling?” The blonde looked at her best friend intently, reading her like a book.
“Where’s Angel?” Buffy asked sadly.
“He, he’s gone.” Willow stammered. “I’m sorry.” She went to the bed and embraced her grieving friend.
“How?” Buffy asked, trying not to cry.
“He took his own life Buffy. He couldn’t bear to see us again I guess. He couldn’t deal with the guilt. I’m so, so sorry.” The redhead responded, attempting not to cry hysterically. Buffy leaned harder into her friend’s embrace as she finally figured out that the feeling of dread and desolation that had taken over her soul was going to be a permanent part of her. It would forever fill the aching void of Angel’s loss.
After several minutes in Willow’s arms, Buffy slid out of the bed and changed into a pair of sweats and a baggy t-shirt. She grabbed a few things from her closet, threw them in her bag and put on her sneakers.
“Where are you going?” Willow asked worriedly.
“I’m going to the mansion to say goodbye.” She replied without emotion. Willow got up to say something but Buffy was already heading out of the bedroom. So the hacker turned witch followed her friend. At the base of the stairs Buffy was stopped by her mother.
“Buffy, where are you going?” Joyce asked in a panic.
“Don’t worry Mom,” Buffy said flatly “I’m coming back, I just have something to take care of.” Joyce shivered at the empty, haunted look in her young daughter’s eyes. Mrs. Summers stepped back and allowed her only child and Willow to head out into the Saturday morning sun.
Buffy walked silently to the mansion with Willow following behind her. As Buffy entered the estate, she instinctively headed to the room where she had sent Angel and Acathla to Hell, the room where Hell had sent him back to her and the room that she knew his existence was ended in.
Willow was worried, very worried. She was scared by her friend’s lack of emotion and terrified by what she saw in her eyes. She knew that Buffy was strong. The Slayer’s life had never been easy or fair. And as the redhead watched her best friend carefully gather up the ashes of her soulmate, Willow decided that the Fates were extremely cruel.
Buffy finished collecting her lover’s ashes. She ran her fingers along the burned outline and whispered “I love you Angel.” She and Willow left the stone mansion and returned to Buffy’s house. Buffy placed the aches into an ornate glass box and placed it carefully into a drawer in her nightstand. She hugged her friend and told her that she wanted to sleep for awhile. Willow left, too emotionally exhausted to even argue.
Later that evening, Buffy showed up at the library ready for training. Giles and the Slayerettes were very worried about her as she pretended that nothing had happened. They were unable to talk her out of patrolling so she and Faith hunted together. Neither girl mentioned Angel or the previous night.
As weeks passed, Giles was amazed and worried about the subtle changes in Buffy’s attitude. She worked harder on her school-work, she never blew off training, and she patrolled every night. She was focused. She was a Watcher’s dream come true. She still went out with her friends to the Bronze and sometimes to the theater. She killed an amazing number of demons and always hunted alone, usually in the cemetery. All seemed well unless you looked into her eyes. Buffy’s sparkle of power and vitality had been replaced by haunted, empty eyes.
As the weeks turned into months, everyone became worried about Buffy. One Saturday morning, shortly before Buffy’s eighteenth birthday, Giles’ doorbell rang. He was not surprised to find Willow and Oz there.
“Come in.” Giles offered.
“Giles, we need to talk about Buffy.” Willow said seriously. “She isn’t Buffy anymore, she’s only the Slayer.”
“Yes, yes I feared this.” Giles stated “She hasn’t dealt with Angel’s death yet.”
“Giles,” Willow said slowly “I think that a part of her died when Angel did. I don’t think Buffy can live without him, only the Slayer is left.” The Watcher contemplated her theory as he cleaned his glasses. “Do you think we did the right thing with Angel?” Willow asked staring at Giles. “We never told either of them that we changed the curse so that it was permanent. I know that he hurt all of us badly when his soul was gone but what were the chances that with his soul he would ever have hurt anyone? I don’t know Giles, what if he was Buffy’s only hope for happiness or for living past her teen hears? I know he caused a lot of damage but do you really think that we did the right thing?”
“No.” Giles said slowly “I think we did not choose wisely. I know this every time I look into Buffy’s eyes, every time I send her out to patrol.” As tears welled up in the Watcher’s eyes, he continued “I feel that we murdered Buffy’s only hope, murdered him in cold blood. He offered his existence as a way to protect Buffy. He was worried that the curse would break again. We knew it couldn’t. We slaughtered our friend, not the demon that tortured us. In the end, all he wanted was to protect the Slayer, all I wanted was revenge.” Giles cried.
“We can fix this.” Willow said as she embraced the guilt-stricken Watcher. Giles looked at her in confusion as she continued “I finally found the revivication spell that the Annointed tried to use to raise the Master. The Watcher looked at the hacker admirably as she went on “All we need are Angel’s remains and some blood from those of us who were in the room when he died.” Willow’s eyes lit up with excitement and anticipation as she waited for a response from Giles. She didn’t get the reaction she had been hoping for as the Watcher said.
“I’m sorry, Willow but it won’t work.” Crushed by the statement, she questioned farther.
“Why not?”
“Well, because we would have to have Angel’s ashes and it’s been months, they’ve probably been scattered or blown away. That old mansion is in disrepair.” Giles said, surprised when the girl smiled.
“Buffy has his ashes, she keeps them in a glass box in her nightstand drawer.” She said proudly then a little worried she asked “Do you think that everyone will agree to use some of their blood to raise him?”
Oz spoke up at that point “We’ll convince them and if they still don’t agree, we’ll just take some blood from them.” “And that’s Oz, Buffy’s friend talking, not Oz the wolf.” He added, just to prove his point. Willow and Giles both smiled at him and went on with their plans.
“Willow, can you query everyone over the phone? See if you can get them willingly. You will also need to get Angel’s ashes without being detected, can you do that?” Giles asked.
“We’re not going to tell Buffy?” Willow asked.
“No.” Giles said “I would hate to get her hopes up in case it doesn’t work. If you can get the ashes and the gang together, we’ll do it tomorrow night.”
“But, but tomorrow night is Buffy’s birthday. Is that such a good idea?” Willow asked nervously.
“Well, if it works, we’re pretty much safe that she’ll like her present!” Oz stated. With that decided, Oz and Willow left. They had a lot to accomplish in a short time.
On Sunday evening, Buffy strolled into the library to check with Giles before heading out to patrol. She was surprised to see her Mom, Faith and all of the Scooby Gang milling around. “What’s going on here?” Buffy asked. Everyone jumped at the sound of her voice.
“Geez Buff, you’re early.” Xander said nervously. Buffy thought < I wrecked their surprise party! After last year, you’d think they’d think twice about a party for me. >
“We’re having a lame research party.” Cordelia lied.
“Well, enjoy, I’m off to patrol. Stay out of trouble!” Buffy said as she left for the cemetery.
“Ok, she’s gone.” Faith said as she returned to the library. “Let’s get this done.” Willow took the glass lid off the box containing Angel’s ashes. Giles read the spell and as the last of them allowed their cut finger to bleed into the glass urn the lights flickered and the wind began to blow wildly throughout the library. Everyone huddled near the cage as the wind centered on the glass box and an eerie glow eminated from it. The wind began to pick the glowing ashes out of the box, swirling them faster and faster as the glow increased. A blinding flash of light was visible before they heard the crash and thud of a body hitting the floor. The wind and glow stopped as sudden as it started. Everyone stayed huddled as Giles rose to investigate. He told them to wait as he approached Angel lying naked on the floor behind the toppled table.
Angel shook his head as Giles approached. “Giles.” He said “What happened?”
The Watcher looked deeply into his eyes and said “We’re sorry.” He then called to Oz. Oz handed Angel some clothes that he and Willow had gotten at Angel’s apartment. They all stepped back to give the newly re-animated vampire some space.
The next two hours were spent filling Angel in on the latest demons and preparing a surprise party for Buffy. Willow got to do the honors and tell the vampire about his curse.
“Angel.” Willow said confidently as she approached him “We changed the curse before I performed it. It’s permanent, it can’t break.” Angel leaped at her with vampiric speed, startling the others, he hugged her so tight that Willow couldn’t breathe. He sensed this and gave her a kiss on her forehead and thatnked her profusely.
“Where is our little birthday girl anyways?” Faith asked “She should be back by now. I’ll go look for her and drag her sad ass home.” She said with a grin.
“Can I come with you?” Angel asked.
“Yeah.” Faith said “On one condition, you keep to the shadows when we find her. You’re reunion has to be here in public so you two can’t go running off to get a room or something. We want to see her smile too!”
“Ok.” Angel answered, embarrassed that she saw right through him.
Buffy sat on a headstone in the cemetery. For the first time since his death, the Slayer allowed her mind to release some memories of her beloved. She remembered him as cryptic guy, as the jealous guy, as her friend, her protector, her lover. She remembered her previous birthday. That fate-filled night she gave Angel her complete trust and her virginity. The night she had given his soul one moment of contentment, something that had not happened in the eighty or so years that his soul controlled the demon. Granted it all went downhill from there but she never doubted their bond. She was his soulmate and he was hers. The empty spot in her soul would stay filled with dread and desolation.
Snapped out of her reverie just a little bit late, Buffy was thrown to the ground by a young vampire. The Fates were again mocking her as her head hit the stone monument on her way down. She fought unconsciousness and as she felt the prick of the demon’s fangs on her jugular, she knew she would join Angel soon.
Faith and Angel walked out of the library to look for Buffy. “This way.” Faith said “She’s got a thing for the boneyard.”
“The cemetery?” Angel asked nervously. “She hunts there often?”
“Not often, always.” Faith answered “Don’t ask me why, she’s a weird chick.” Angel followed silently, a weird feeling of dread creeping over him. As they passed the cemetery gates, Angel stopped Faith.
“I smell blood.” He said, panic filling his voice. They raced through the graveyard with Angel leading, chasing the scent of blood on the air. The vampire and Slayer reached the source in time to see the fledgling stalk away from the body of the fallen Slayer.
“Buffy!” Angel and Faith yelled in unison as they rushed to her side. Angel felt for a pulse and listened for her heartbeat but Buffy was pale and as still as death. The old vampire screamed “NO!” at the top of his lungs. He scooped up the body of his soulmate, squeezed her tight to his chest and sobbed hysterically. Faith sat on a headstone and cried, watching the anguish before her. After a little while, she walked over to Angel and touched him on the shoulder.
“Let’s go, let’s take her back to her friends.” Angel reluctantly nodded and while still clutching Buffy’s body to his chest, he followed Faith back to the library.
Faith entered the doors first and as the Gang got ready to yell surprise the tear stains on Faith’s face silenced them. She held the doors open as Angel carried Buffy’s corpse in and laid her on the table, scattering the birthday gifts. “She’s dead.” Angel said flatly “Just like in my dream.” He stared at Giles for a moment before sitting on the stairs crying.
Joyce was hysterical. Her baby was dead. It wasn’t fair. Giles embraced her and together they grieved. Willow stared at the body of her best friend. Buffy looked so peaceful. The redhead glanced over at Angel who was keening in Gaelic. She decided at that point that if there was a supreme being that he or she was a mean SOB.
Minutes passed into an hour as they all mourned their fallen Slayer. Giles finally mentioned that they should perhaps call the coroner. As the Watcher went into his office to use the private phone, he heard Willow scream and call for him.
“GILES!” Willow screamed with fear but trying to remain calm. “She MOVED, Buffy MOVED!” As everyone moved in to see if Willow was hallucinating or not Buffy’s eyes blinked open, she sat up rapidly, stared at Angel, screamed and promptly passed out.
“What was that?” Xander asked.
“I don’t know.” Giles answered “But quickly, help me get her into the cage.” Giles and Oz grabbed Buffy’s limp body, placed her in the cage and locked the door. Angel sat next to the cage and stroked her hair through the mesh.
“Angel.” Joyce asked the question everyone was thinking. “Is she a vampire?”
“No.” He said shaking his head. “She’s breathing again and has a pulse.”
“So, she’s alive.” Xander said hopefully. “She’s died before.”
“Or maybe she’s something else.” Cordelia said
“Like what?” Willow questioned
“I don’t know but we had better find out.” Cordy replied.
The research party lasted deep into the night. Everyone, including Joyce had an ancient book and was scanning them rapidly, looking for a clue or a prophecy. Out of the silence Giles yelled “I found it!” Everyone except Angel rushed to the Watcher to learn of their friend’s fate. Angel remained next to Buffy’s unconscious body, only the steel mesh of the cage separating them. Giles, with his nose in the Codex cleared his throat and read aloud. “The forces of light will send their warrior to battle the most powerful force of the dark. The dark force will taste of the light and the warrior will die. From the water, the light will rise again to defeat the dark lord. This warrior shall be The Eternal.”
“Ok.” Joyce said “What does that mean?”
Angel stood up looking around wildly. “Buffy is The Eternal?” he said as he searched for a book. Giles watched the vampire intently. It was obvious that he knew something about this prophecy.
In the meantime, Xander tried to enlighten Joyce. “Awhile ago, Buffy fought the Master, he was the vamp leader, all powerful and everything, anyways, he bit Buffy and then she drowned. Angel and I saved her and then she killed his ugliness, it was a really big deal.”
Faith threw her book at the frantic vampire. He was getting on her nerves. He caught the book as it rebounded off his forehead. He stared at the title and smiled. He leafed through the pages and went directly to Giles.
The Watcher scanned the paragraph, smiled and read it to his captive audience. “The Eternal will come to balance the power of light and dark. A warrior of unparalelled skill and loyalty. The warrior shall protect the Earth for eternity. The orb of Kryton will confirm the warrior’s identity.”
“Giles.” Angel said excitedly “Dru had the orb of Kryton. I think it’s in her trunk at the mansion. I’ll go get it!” Before another word could be spoken, Angel was gone.
“Oh man, I have such a headache.” The group swung around at the sound of Buffy’s voice. They huddled around the cage, talking to her. “Why am I locked up?” The Slayer whined. Giles cleared his throat again to keep unwanted answerers silent.
“We need to check something, you’ve been injured.”
Buffy motioned Willow over to the cage and said “You wouldn’t believe it Will, I think I died again and Angel was there. We're going to be together again someday."” She said with a smile and a tiny sparkle in her haunted eyes.
“I have no doubt about that.” Willow replied with a huge grin. Angel sneaked back into the library and handed Giles the orb. The vampire then melted back into the shadows again, not wanting Buffy to faint again until after the test.
“Here Buffy.” Giles said as he passed the small, cloudy glass ball through the mesh.
“It’s pretty.” Buffy said and as she touched it, the orb glowed bright white.
“It’s yours.” Giles said proudly.
“Is it my birthday present?” She asked a little confused.
“Not really.” Giles said “You died tonight Buffy. The orb proves that you are The Eternal, the warrior of legend. You’re immortal.” He said all smiles, the pride and love radiating off him in waves.
“Oh.” Buffy said sadly. “That’s nice.” She looked at Willow as tears slid down her cheeks. “So I can’t die, ever?” Willow immediately caught on to what Buffy’s problem was. Buffy had mentioned earlier that she saw Angel when she died and now as an immortal, she thought that they would never be reunited.
The rest of the Gang was confused by the Slayer’s disappointment with immortality. A huge grin crept over Willow’s face as she said. “We have a present for you Buffy.” “Oz, let her out please or we’ll be needing a new cage.” Willow glanced behind her as Angel walked forward from the shadows to see his lover. At first Buffy’s friends thought that she was going to faint again but as her eyes stayed glued on her soulmate she asked Willow.
“How?”
“Reanimation spell.” She replied as the Slayer threw herself into Angel’s arms. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, her legs around his waist and they were kissing desperately. As the Watcher, the Mother, Faith and the Slayerettes left, they switched off the library’s lights, leaving the lovers entwined in their reunion.
“By the way.” Willow yelled as she stuck her head back through the doors. “The curse is permanent this time!”
“Sheesh!” Cordelia wined “They have eternity to be together, I just wanted a piece of cake!”
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