***Sunnydale, 2002***
They’d returned to find the Slayerettes reassembled from their wide-ranging new lives.
Oz was a successful musician, and despite his punishing schedule he still found time to to see Willow regularly, even if it was only for a few hours on his way to another concert or a recording studio.
Willow was ‘doing something in computers,’ and she modestly explained that she couldn’t tell them anything more because her work was top secret. She was living in LA to be near her parents but flew to Washington regularly as part of her mysterious career.
Xander was living in Chicago with Cordelia, who’d finally taken matters into her own hands and proposed. He was joint director of Chase Industries, passed on to Cordelia on her twentieth birthday by her father. She proved to be a ruthless business woman and with Xander at her side she turned Chase Industries into an empire, with branches in a hundred different industries from fashion and cosmetics to diet food and holidays.
They hadn’t been back to Sunnydale since they graduated, but they kept in touch with Willow and Giles. Due to Buffy’s wandering lifestyle she usually just communicated with Giles, and occasionally Willow.
This would be the first time many of the Slayerettes had seen each other in many years, and as they converged on Sunnydale, all were feeling nervous.
Xander and his wife arrived first, followed by Oz and then Willow.
Buffy hadn’t informed Giles about Angel yet, and the pair knew it would be hard for the group to accept him.
As they stood in front of the library doors, Buffy squeezed her fiance’s hand reassuringly.
“Let’s go,” she whispered, and tugged him through, standing in front of him protectively.
Giles and Willow were involved in an animated discussion about computers versus books, and Oz and Xander were comparing lives. Cordelia was flipping through a book of demons and exclaiming in surprise at the various drawings she found within. She held up the book open at a page of a particularly gruesome demon, and said, “Xander, honey, don’t you think we should open a costume shop? With these as inspiration we’d thrash the competition.”
Giles glared at her severely over the rim of his glasses, and coughed.
“I doubt Antaymonid, demon of nightmares, would be particularly pleased to have his likeness worn by a hyperactive nine-year-old.”
The doors opened and he looked up.
“Buffy!”
He hadn’t seen her in the flesh since she left, and he had to admit she was looking more beautiful than ever in a pale green ankle-length skirt and a black silk shirt. He stood up and held out his arms to welcome her. When he saw the dark figure behind her, he let them drop.
“Angel! What, uh, what a surprise.” He frowned at Buffy. “The last I heard you were in Hell.”
“I got out,” Angel said simply.
Buffy held his hand tightly and turned to face him. She kissed him gently on the cheek and smiled reassuringly. Then she turned back to the stunned occupants of the room.
“Angel’s been helping me out,” she explained, her expression revealing that she expected them to be nice. “He’s saved my life several times, and...” she pulled him around to stand next to her and rested her head on his shoulder, drawing strength from his comforting presence.
“We’re engaged.”
She held up her ring finger, letting them all see the proof.
Xander stood up and approached them. Angel could feel Buffy tense in anticipation of the upcoming conflict. Instead, Xander grinned and clapped Angel on the back.
“Welcome to the club!” he said cheerfully. “Buffy’s accepted you and that’s enough for me. Although, be warned, it’s when they’ve got you wearing a ring that they change! No one told me what it’s *really* like!”
He gave Angel a warning look, and cast a mock-fearful glance at Cordelia.
“Xander,” she said, her voice relaxed and nonchalant, yet holding a warning tone. Xander gulped.
“Yes dear?” he said, shooting a helpless glance at Buffy and Angel.
“You’re on your own, clown-boy,” Buffy said, grinning.
“See, this is why me and Willow chose to remain unmarried. Marriage leads to that,” Oz said, pointing at a terrified Xander backing away from Cordelia, who was having trouble keeping a straight face. He kissed Willow lovingly, and she ran her hands through his hair.
Then she pulled back and asked, “D’you think the utility closet is still there?”
“Why?”
“Because I have a feeling Xander and Cordelia are gonna need it. Did you know they’ve had one installed specially in their mansion, built to the exact proportions of the one here? Cordelia claims it’s just for the memories, but there were some very funny noises coming from it the night I stayed there...”
Buffy and Willow giggled, and easily slipped into gossip mode, discussing friends and enemies, in a ‘Where Are They Now’ of the Sunnydale High Class of 99. Willow knew exactly what had happened to everyone she’d ever spoken to, and Buffy enjoyed catching up.
Angel smiled, glad to see his soon-to-be-wife enjoying herself. She rarely got the chance to relax with the life they led.
“Well, so much for age equalling maturity,” Giles sighed, his gaze taking in Buffy and Willow giggling like school girls and the noted absence of Cordelia and Xander, on their way to some quality reminiscing in the utility closet.
“Take it from me, some people never mature, even after centuries,” Angel said, smiling fondly at Buffy.
“I suppose wondering why she didn’t tell me about you is rather pointless. Since we both know it’s because either you or she didn’t think I’d like it. You probably thought I’d try to break you up.”
Giles turned to face Angel.
“I have noticed a change; she’s been much happier lately. Now I know that was down to you. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me for that Giles, I haven’t forgotten it was me that made her unhappy in the first place.”
“I have learnt not to blame you for Jenny’s death. It was the demon that-”
Angel cut him off ruthlessly. “Giles, I’m sure you’ve read the reports. I was no angel when I was *human*. I can’t blame everything on the demon, because I was cruel and inhuman *before* I became a vampire. It’s only after I regained my soul that I became the helpful vampire killer I am now.”
“I know. Angel, we all make mistakes. But you cannot keep this guilt inside you. You’ve been given another chance to be happy, and that wouldn’t happen if you didn’t deserve it.”
“You truly believe that? You truly believe there’s something out there making sure we all get what we deserve, when your life has been devoted to looking after young girls whose lives are ruined by Slaying? Did Buffy deserve to be subjected to everything she’s had to face, is that why she was Chosen?
“You surprise me Giles. I would have thought anyone who has to see what Slaying does to so many innocent children would find it impossible to believe in some universal justice. Angelus was alive for over a century and nothing stopped him, yet you truly believe that because I’m good I will be rewarded. There’s something seriously wrong with those scales.”
Giles sighed frustratedly. “Angel, you have to let the guilt and bitterness go. She doesn’t deserve a husband who can’t love her because he’s too busy mourning all his bad deeds. The past is gone, Angel, and if Buffy hung on to it the way you do, do you think for one instant she would allow herself to look at you?
“She would hate you, Angel, and despise you and fear you, but she doesn’t. And neither does Xander or Willow or myself. Why? Because we’ve accepted two things: that the past should be put behind us, where it belongs, and that you and the demon are separate.
“We can’t blame you for Angelus’ sins, and we were the ones hurt by them. If we, who have more right than anyone, don’t blame you, what right do you have? Let it go, Angel, or I swear I’ll do my damnedest to ensure she’s taken as far away from you as possible, because I don’t want you to drag her down with you.”
The ageing librarian regarded the vampire for a moment, and then looked away. He strode towards the table, leaving Angel with his thoughts.
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